Really scared

Hello
Merry Christmas first of all. I stifle excessively with Generalized anxiety disorder and am especially hung up with my health . I used to obsess and think of ways I would die. For me every single symptom was turning Into a life threatening symptom . I thought a sore throat was from cancer or a disease etc. if you are having excessive worries about your health after tests then I would strongly suggest going t your doctor and talking to him about this and just letting him know . I finally told myself to stop going to google to look up health problems and symptons . I went to the doctor and got a full blood panel as well as other tests and am perfectly fine . If you have already gotten your tests for your heart then you are fine and need to overcome your compulsion and trust your doctor and the million dollar machines that do these tests .

Hi SC.,

I am so sorry that you are feeling this way presently. This should be a time full of joy and anticipation, not fear and dread.:(

Can I tell you a story? Well speaking of joy and anticipation, we were just about all set to go on our Summer vacation to DisneyLand.

My kids were 12 and 3 at the time...so this was to be an awesome time for all, right?

Not so much for me. I was fairly new on this journey of anxiety, and was suffering panic attacks frequently. I had had a horrible one the night before we set out, including some of the strongest, scariest palpitations I had ever felt.

So off we go for a 7-8 hour car ride, and then to the Magic Kingdom...I was terrified...I knew I was going to die at DisneyLand. It was for sure in my mind. (and I did NOT want Mickey Mouse doing my eulogy!!! Sorry, humor is essential to me!)

I made the best of things, but had a fairly terrifying trip all in all. I literally felt sick and as if I was really going to not make it.

That was almost 12 years ago now. Since then, I have learned just what anxiety can do to one's body and mind.

We do not need to have a dreaded disease...because, guess what? Anxiety takes care of that for us. It is a liar and a thief, that will try to tell you that you are sick and dying when you are not. It will try to steal your joy...don't let it!!

Fight back! You can use tools to combat this.

If you need ideas, post back and I will be glad to share.

If you know them already...get to work on them right away.

You are well, just really suffering from anxiety at this time...but there is hope.

Let us know how you are doing soon, okay?

S.C.

SC,

Here are some that I think will be helpful for you!

For general information about anxiety and self-help:

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_self_help.htm

  

http://www.psybersquare.com/anxiety/anxiety.html

This exercise (along with the others there) is a great way to let your body and mind relax together:

http://www.stress-relief-exercises.com/progressive_muscle_relaxation.html

Therapy Work Sheets:

http://www.get.gg/freedownloads2.htm

(really helpful for combating frigthening thoughts)

You may or may not like this particular one...if not, look at the suggested links and find another that suits you.  The point is to just meditate, and let yourself escape from the fear for awhile.:)

Meditation Video ( 7 minutes) :

http://www.youtube.com/user/healthealingnetwork?feature=pyv&ad=4342564202&kw=meditation&v=yHYKSYPoNg4&lr=1

If you can do these in combination everyday, a couple times a day, it will start to help.  In our Resources, we also have two books on health anxiety...not a quick fix of course, but something to consider for the future.

Wishing you the best,

S.C.

:( ;( Sorry SS,

That sounds awful. I hope that you are feeling better soon! If you are still reacting so strongly, I think maybe you should be seen. Call tomorrow if you continue to have issues...best to get in before Christmas! Perhaps another Rx would be gentler for you.

Sending healing thoughts and prayers

S.C.

I have an uncle who had anxiety and fear of heart attack from when I was 5 and I'm 53 now and he at 85 is the only living sibling of his family at age 85....

Please don't suffer as he did all those years.

Good Morning SK,

Once upon a time, a man set out on a sea voyage with many others. It got rougher and rougher, until a ferocious storm threatened to upend the ship and send it spiraling into the depths. Everyone on board was beyond terrified - except this one man who just sat passively and seemingly at ease with the situation. At last, when it became clear the storm was abating, a group approached the man and asked him: "How could you remain so calm when we were only a second away from possible death? "

The man eyed them evenly and replied: "When is it ever different in life?"

In the words of Woody Allen, "I'm not afraid of dying; I just don't want to be there when it happens."

Remember to stay in the moment for this is truly the only moment we have, right here, right now........................enjoy life to the fullest.

Kindly,

Kitt