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New here - constant fear of dying anxiety and panic attacks all day every day

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Posted 2/28/2015 11:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hi I'm new here and I need help
I'm 20 years old female and have this constant anxiety of dying
I find myself always checking my pile and it never seems right to me
I always have pains in my chest especially the left side of my cheat arm and shoulder blade. I'm always taking deep breaths because I fee I can't brwath properly. These thoughts and this anxiety is taking over my life I don't like going places because I'm scared to be away from my family in case something happens to me
I always take my blood pressure and it's never the same it will be high then low then normal
In convinced I have cancer or I'm having a heart attack but I've been told by 6 doctors I'm fine

Please if someone could help me or tell me I'm not alone and give me any sort of advice is be more than happy to hear it and try it I'm determine to over come this problem
Posted 2/28/2015 12:04 PM (GMT 0)
You WILL overcome this problem, I assure you, because you are addressing it and determined to conquer it. I know because I started with health anxiety and panic since the age of 20 and now I am 67 years old and still kicking! I have had many years anxiety free and then some periods when it came back but as you begin to recognize what it is, it becomes easier to deal with it. I happen to be going through a severe bout of anxiety right now but mine is due to alot of big stressors that have happened over the past few months so I know where it's coming from.

Since the age of 7 I have thought I had every disease known to man (haha). The chest pains, inability to take deep breaths, arm weakness, you name it. And yet I have always been healthy but never believed it. I would always think the docs had it wrong, that they were missing something. But it was really me that was missing something....the fact that all of this was just a result of anxiety even tho the symptoms felt so real. When I read these posts from people like you, I wish I could somehow convince them not to waste so much of their life worrying about things that just aren't real...I wish I could have done it myself because as I look back on my life I realize how much valuable time I spent convinced I was dying of something when in actuality I was very healthy. I hope you can finally believe that yourself. You are a very young, vibrant human being. There are so many hormones raging at your age that they can bring on anxiety and fears. Follow all the recommendations you will get on this wonderful, supportive site and I'm sure this will pass eventually.
Posted 2/28/2015 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

first of all a big welcome to the forum I am pleased you have found us.

Sorry to hear you have been having problems with anxiety it sounds like you have been having health anxiety which a lot of us here suffer with so your not alone. Health anxiety can really take over your life if left untreated so it's important to take some action to try and improve your situation.

The good news is lots can be done to help such as taking medication or doing some talking therapy such as CBT which works well and the person to ask about these are your doctor.

In the meantime have a look at our resources thread which you will find on the main page first post for some useful links to self help guides.

Stay with us.

Hibee
Posted 2/28/2015 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Caitlin and welcome!

You have come to the right place for support...we understand and are...and there are many memebers with the same concerns here who can related!

I agree with the above advice, and will just add some links that you can get started with until you can find a therapist to help you work through your anxiety issues.:)

http://www.anxietyreallysucks.com/how-keeping-a-journal-can-help-you-with-anxiety/

Health Anxiety - A Self Help Guide:

 

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hypochondria/pages/introduction.aspx

Helping health Anxiety

 

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_id=53

Health Anxiety- The Super Scanner

 

http://www.get.gg/docs/SuperScanner.pdf



Read through each one, and practice the suggested exercises for gaining victory over your fears.

Post with us anytime for support and understanding!

Scaredy Cat

Posted 2/28/2015 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
hi caitlin
i went through the exact same thing when i first came down with panic attacks, for months i was like a zombie, always looking for signs of a stroke, heart attack, tumors of every kind, cancer, you name it i had it, i also went through a depression, i was afraid to leave home for fear of something bad happening, i know its easier said than done, but try to let go of your fear and do things that you enjoy, find a good friend and have long talks, go to the beach, go shopping, read, those are things that helped me. but most of all prayer, when all seems lost reach to Jesus he is always there.
i hope you feel better soon, the feelings come again every now and then but am learning to live and cope with them, i know you're feeling lost and alone, but the HW community is here, we're like family, feel free to post at anytime. wishing all the best, my prayers are with you

bungie
Posted 2/28/2015 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
hi , im so sorry you going through this , trust me my suffer just like you ....its been almost 3 years and well im still here and i still fight everyday !! hang in there !!
Posted 3/1/2015 7:16 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for your replies
I'm glad to see I'm not alone with this horrible problem

Is there any recommended things I should do ? I'm so open to try anything this is so out of hand in always at the doctors and im constantly checking my pulse and I'm always scared its to slow or to fast :(

I'm booked to see a psychologist in the next couple of weeks just have to wait for the appointment which is horrible

Any books use recommend me to read ?
Posted 3/1/2015 10:07 AM (GMT 0)
There are loads of books on anxiety you can look up online or at your library (or at Barnes & Noble). One that did me alot of good many years ago was titled Living with Anxiety but I'm sorry to say I don't remember who the author is. I'm sure you can find some that would give you some comfort.
Posted 3/1/2015 11:01 AM (GMT 0)
books: When panic attacks by David Burns

Hope and help for your nerves by Claire Weekes

these 2 books helped me a lot. 

Just know you are not alone with your problems.  We share what you have.

Posted 3/1/2015 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
Check the recommendations that Hibe and Scardy Cat gave you they all work some better for one than
another but there is some that definitely will work for you, Peace

Larry ***
Posted 3/1/2015 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
I totally understand what you're going through. I've had anxiety since my early 20s and am now 51. I've gone years of feeling good and normal and living life and gone through bouts, as I am right now, of such anxiety, especially health anxiety, that I've convinced myself "this is it" and I have some terrible and incurable disease. Another source I highly recommend is anxietycentre.com. It is full of information, especially the many possible symptoms of anxiety. I lean on it and this site almost daily. Feel free to post here anytime as we all have been there and/or are there, and completely understand.
Posted 3/2/2015 6:49 AM (GMT 0)
Can't thank you all enough for taking the time to reply and for letting me no I'm not alone withy this horrible problem
I'm so over the chest pains and shortness of breath and thinking I'm having a heart stack or have a disease.
I'm sure in no time I'll be on top of this horrible problem and back to my normal self just like you all will be fine one day soon
Posted 3/2/2015 7:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Caitlin,
I my self suffer from an anxiety/ panic disorder am 24 and was diagnosed about a year ago... Its all new to me but with the help of this forum and just learning how to take baby steps to make myself better its help me a lot... my advice to you would be when your having an attack or you recognize it a bit before try to take a walk a little walk would go long ways try to get a tiny hobby to keep your mind busy and always remind yourself you will be ok even if you feel like you don't its easier said then done an am with you 100 percent. Take it one day at it time and just worry about today and that you will be fine. Keep your head up! 😊
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