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anxiety through the rooof!!

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Posted 2/17/2014 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
i had a bad panic attack earlier because i freaked myself out cause i had a chest pain. Now im verrrryyy anxious and afraid im going to have a heart attack. My back and chest are tight tingling hands and nose .helpppp
Posted 2/17/2014 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
AF,

What did you try to bring your anxiety under control.  Many member of the forum have good luck using the tools in our resource thread but it does take hard work and time.  Start out small and work your way to the point that the chest pain is no  longer scary for you.

Anxiety comes in many shades and colors.

Kindly,

Kitt 

Posted 2/17/2014 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
First thing is stay calm. Panic attacks and heart attack feel very similar. My attack are the same way. I was sent to the ER twice and they said my heart is fine. When you have a panic attack your heart will beat hard slamming against your chest where you think your having a heart attack but it's just your muscles clinching in defense because your body thinks it's under attack. The best thing to do is to take your anxiety medicine if you have any, and practice meditating, or think of something calm and happy. Breath in your nose and out through your mouth to calm your heart. I found it easier using a paper bag. Once your calm just take it easy and think positive. If your attacks come more often I would advise you to speak to a doctor and see if they give you any helpful options. You're not alone. :)
Posted 2/17/2014 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
AF,

The most powerful thing you can do, in my opinion, is own the fact that you already know it's a panic attack.

Try some of the breathing exercises in the resources or here is an easy one that my therapist taught me - just breathe in slowly through your nose to the count of four, then out through your mouth slowly to the count of eight. Focus on the counting with all of your might.

I know how scary it is - I've wanted to rush to the ER before many times, have even gotten so scared my BP shot up and gave me nosebleeds. Scary stuff.

Wishing you peace, friend!
Posted 2/17/2014 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
BR has some excellent advice. When you focus exclusively on the symptoms of the panic attack, you are giving it power to escalate.

Acknowledge it as a familiar friend (let's face it, we all have friends like that!), and keep walking....don't engage your panic in conversation, or it will take over.

Letting your body go through the symptoms, and not struggling to stop and fight them, -- actually helps your body get through it faster. But see, that's the key: Getting through them, not trying to get around them.

The best way for breathing techniques to be their most efficient is to practice them every day,-- especially when you do not have anxiety.

My name can be added to the list of those who ran to the ER on many, many occasions, consumed with fear and thoughts about my heart. (I've had enough tests ran on my heart over a decade that I could double as a lab rat with a pony tail and no one would notice).

I do the counting, too. In fact, that is my routine every single night, without fail, to lull myself to sleep. (I wonder if I started counting and breathing like that during the day if I'd conk out!) :P

Really, it does work, and really, you're not alone!




M.
Posted 2/17/2014 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
AF, I understand how you feel. I've been to the ER twice in the past for the very same thing and was told the same thing...anxiety. Chest pain can be very frightening, but when it comes to anxiety, is very common. It's usually due to tense muscles that can spasm or heartburn which is usually burning or sharper type pain. A pounding heart is totally symptomatic of anxiety and panic attacks because your body is in the "fight or flight" mode. Fresh air, deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth help too. It's hard, but try to distract yourself with something you enjoy. A walk, a book, talk to a friend, a hot bath, music...whatever works for you. Keep us posted!
Posted 2/17/2014 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
I feel for you! I am fortunate in that I've never thought for one moment that my panic symptoms was bringing on a heart attack. I know that is unusual in itself. I'm so afraid of the anxious feelings and panic attack itself that I'd just as soon it be something else,so they can do something about it! I will burst into tears if I start to feel that the anxiety is beginning to get me again! That is why this last time it started surfacing again, I went to my mental health clinic ASAP and am now in the process of being switched to effexor from paxil. So whereas folks like you are afraid of heart attacks, I'm afraid of the panic attacks/anxiety! Either way, neither of us are going to be happy unless we have it under control. I hope you are in treatment!
I wouldn't have made it without it!
jl
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