What Larry said is true, living is the only thing that can kill the fear. Little steps at a time, take melzmoda's advice for example, set a time limit like 5 mins not to think about
your heart and not to check your pulse. Then just keep expanding the time longer and longer. While doing this distract yourself by doing something else so that you'll keep your mind out of the absurd thoughts about
your heart. I've been there too, to the point I thought I was also losing my mind. Trust Larry, his problem with his heart is REAL and also showed up in his ECG, but yet he lives his life like he doesn't have it at all. My dad too had a heart attack 2x but I reacted to my thoughts of having a heart problem way worse than him when my anxiety was high. Also his heart problem always shows up in his ECG. My ECG is normal compared to him. He told me walking couldn't kill me and that it helped him improve his heart muscles. Anxiety or excessive worrying can make you feel chest pains, make your heart pound hard and beat fast. So small steps at a time. Before I used to always check my pulse, BP, listen to my heart using a stethoscope and not moving that much because if I did I thought my heart would explode. I realized then a little walk wouldn't kill me cause I tried my best to do it even if I felt very anxious at first. I went out for a walk, my palms became sweaty and cold but in the end I felt good for myself cause I did overcome my fear and went for more longer walks until my fear about
my heart became less. Small steps at a time. I also didn't have to check my pulse anymore because every time I panic my heart would race like 140bpm for 10 mins and it happened to me so many times, before I would think "this is it! my heart will fail, it wouldn't stop going fast and eventually stop beating." after so many times experiencing it, until one day I was just like "oh here you are again, go on beat harder or faster if you like, it's ok, I know it's not going to kill me, it's your way on showing me how much you love me and how I should give more meaning to life." and with that episode, it didn't last long and the days that followed my heart will feel more relaxed and the severity of my panic attacks also lessened and eventually happened less frequently. Remember the times when you used to go out before, running and jumping with friends, laughing and getting yourself excited. You can have those things back if you really wanted to. I also remember that there was a time where I limit or stop myself from being too much excited, I couldn't laugh with my friends or get angry as I suppressed my emotions. This isn't living life, I reminded myself of the saying "laughing is the best medicine" so it's ok to get carried away with my feelings especially of being happy. Once you get better on doing these kind of positive stuffs and distracting yourself or setting yourself free from negative thoughts, you'll begin to feel normal again. It's a tough road. Trust the people here, get back on that road, there are obstacles on the way but there will also be green fields to come. So don't give up! Also you're not in this alone. There are a lot of people out there like you. Like me!
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Do not let the behavior of others destroy you inner peace. -Dalai Lama
What you do today can improve all of your tomorrows.
Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness. So start liking and end worrying! Happiness is a now thing, don't wait until later to be happy.
Your friends should motivate and inspire you. Your circle should me well rounded and supportive. Keep it tight. Quality over quantity, always.
Surround yourself only with people who are going to lift you higher -Oprah
Don't shrink your hope and dreams. Super-size your courage and abilities.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others. -Audrey Hepburn
Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure you are not, in fact,surrounded by a**h*les.
Post Edited (Jojanxiety) : 1/24/2014 5:06:28 AM (GMT-7)