heart palpatations and anxiety

[charliegirl]

hello all, I'm trying to get an insight into my mother's anxiety. She has had anxiety for approx 2 years however she is in a bit of denial over it and is constantly going to the doctors to get other things checked, ie heart palpatations, fluttering etc. She has been under a psychologist but hasn't been prescribed any medication.  I honestly think she needs some medication as she appears to be getting worse and constantly going to doctors to try and find another cause of what is wrong with her (and after numerous specialists ect, there is nothing physically wrong with her).  Are heart palpations a major part of anxiety and wondering what people do to stop these from happening?  I wonder why they wont prescribe something for her anxiety?

[Pixie15]

Hi charliegirl,

Just a few thoughts for you.

I think I read somewhere recently that 70% of people in hospital are there because they went to see a doctor. I have been on this treadmill for many years.

Having said that it probably is important for your mother to know with some degree of confidence that she is not suffering a more easily treatable physical illness. Something like heart palpitations can be the result of anxiety or heart problems or depending on how old your mother is it could also be the side effects of menopause. Just to name a few.

Psychologists (even clinical ones) do not prescribe medication. If she has seen her doctor and been referred to a psychologist it may be considered that she can manage her anxiety without medication. Some people can have serious side effects from the available medications. If she felt she needed medication she would need to consult her doctor or a psychiatrist.

I do not think you can stop the palpitations without dealing with whatever is triggering them although others with more experience may have a different opinion to me on that point it would be interesting to hear if they do. The psychologist should be able to help your mother with some self management tools.

Have you tried talking to your mother to find out what she knows about anxiety. There are very good publications on this site that can help you with more information.

It is really good that you are concerned for your mother and trying to help her.

Peace,

Daisy.

[charliegirl]

thanks Daisy, she was hospitalised yesterday due to the palpatations, they ran all tests and nothing wrong so it was her anxiety causing this. They have given her some medication to take when she feels these symptoms coming on but she will then see her own doctor to perhaps go down another track regarding medication.