Hi All!!
I'm new to the forum but I also share similarities with my type of anxiety. I was diagnosed with GAD two years ago (haven't been on any meds). For the last two years, I've been suffering with thanatophobia, more specifically - Cardiophobia. It all started with a diagnosis of "Costochrondritis" - which has gone away in the last couple of months. I do believe it was associated with a Vitamin D deficiency (eventhough doctors haven't stated that - I read it on my own in medical journals).
I am well aware that my anxiety is causing the physical symptoms but I have no clue as to how to stop the obsessive worrying and checking for symptoms. I'm committed to my overall well-being and recovery, as I feel I will be 100% recovered before my 32nd birthday, which is in March (a hope/wish and goal I'm aggressively working towards). I'm starting individual therapy this evening for the first time in over a year (my first stint was to talk about the relationship I have with my mom - and the anxiety I have regarding it).
I'm starting to learn that my fears/anxiety are associated with the way I handle stress in general; the fact that I'm an Highly-Sensitive only with PTSD from watching my mother battle Paranoid Schizohrenia (in which is now able to live on her own and is healthy), I've had my share of stress. Not to mention, I was a part-time caretaker of my mom who worked full-time, went to college full-time, all while trying to be a wife as well (no children). My fear started when I had my first panic attack in 2011 - in fear that I might end up like my mom, which scared me half to death. It morphed into thanatophobia after I developed Costochrondritis in then Cardiophobia once I started having palpitations. My PCP/Internist is also a cardiologist and she's tested my blood, gave multiple ECG/EKG's and a heart sonogram and assured me that my heart is healthy.
Three weeks ago I started developing palpitations on a consistent basis and it totally freaked me out. I was completely stressed that I may have really developed a problem this time. I went to see my cardiologist again and she made me wear a heart monitor for 24 hours - in which I'll receive a response either today or tomorrow (I'm sure it's benign) but at this point, does it really matter? LOL.
Last week Friday, after eating a meal, my began beating rapidly (but steady) for about 20 minutes. I noticed that in that particular moment, I became calm - a little concerned but calm. Normally, I would've been panicked but I couldn't stress anymore and I thought, "If this is really happening, there's nothing I can do about it now.." and just like that, my heart rate started slowing down. I thought to myself that I can control this but I need help - now!
So, I'm proud to say that I'm committed to my own recovery, now more than ever because I'm tired of feeling this way and I owe it to myself to try be as healthy as I possibly can.
Are there any recovered people on this forum who can offer motivational support and success stories?
Mszrae
Post Edited (Scaredy Cat) : 12/15/2014 1:49:40 PM (GMT-7)