very worried

[Luna_Eclipse]

I had a anxiety attack whilst driving and been on edge all the way home keep having this horrible heat sensation in my chest area and everything I try to do like the breathing exercises and distraction techniques does not help me at all. Starting to feel anxiety when I go to work and I am not coping with any of it. Can't seem to find anything that helps diffuse the horrible feelings I am getting. I still feel as tho there is something actually wrong with me and none of this is actually anxiety.

[MsPurple]

Hi Luna Eclipse and thanks for posting and sharing

I know exactly how you feel. When my anxiety flared up and I felt on the verge of panic sometimes I thought something was physically wrong with me. I would get headaches, dry mouth and my heart would skip a beat and feel like I was having heart palpitations. It is horrible. I also had bells palsy a few months before my anxiety got to its worse, so I also got aspects of health anxiety as well. Have you discussed this with your dr? I know when I say a gp regarding this they did a once over and found nothing physically wrong with me and they confirmed it was just anxiety. This made me feel better and made me feel reassured that it there wasn't anything physically wrong with me. I then was able to tell myself that it was 'an anxiety attack and that I was ok'. I found this helped. Not at first, but I just kept telling myself this every time it happened and I finally began to believe it and it would help calm me.

I was adviced by my mental health nurse that I should try meditation. It basically helps you be in the moment. It gets you to focus on your breath. I personally do guided meditation using an iphone app. There are a few free ones out there like Calm, smiling minds, headspace etc (find one that you like the voice of). WHen I first did it I thought it wasn't for me, but my exercise from my mental health nurse was to do it every night for a week and if I still didn't like it, then I could stop. I found it very helpful. I found I could use the techniques when I did have anxiety flare ups and it did help my anxiety reduce overall because it stopped the racing thoughts. It also helped with my sleep as that is when my thoughts race the most. I suggest giving it a go. Try it for 10mins for 7 days and see if it helps. If not that's ok and you can try something else.

Can I ask if you are seeing a therapist? I suggest seeing one as they can help you with strategies that would work best for you. Although us forum users can give out advice we are not professionals and we don't know all the tools professionals use. I found that seeing a therapist really helps go into the deep issues on anxiety and helps combat it and manage it long term.

Hope some of this advice sounds good for you

MP

[Luna_Eclipse]

Hi there,

Thanks for the reply,

I have all the test done like blood pressure and blood tests. Head and neck scans and a 24hr halter test. All came back fine, only low iron and vit D.

I am seeing a psychologist on my 2nd one. My dr does reassure me but I am trying not to go running to one every-time I feel like this as it is still all new to me as I have only had it for the past 5 months. I went to my Dr one day feeling like this and they did all the tests and put it down to anxiety which I am having trouble coming to terms with as I have never felt like this before in my life.

Not sure how to cope with it all as I don't have a mental health nurse and everyone just keeps telling your fine nothing is wrong with you yet I know something is. I have all the apps on my phone do yoga but nothing seems to help ease any on it. I am finding this all very frustrating and hard to believe I am suffering from anxiety.

[startingnew]

Hi Lunar Eclipse

welcome to the forums. I hope you find being here as useful and supportive as I do.
MsPurple has provided an excellent response.


This must feel very strange to you, I understand that too. I had tests and everything done and was told I have anxiety and depression.
An important step I believe is to seek help esp from professionals like a psychologist.
They can help you to undestand what anxiety is, how it works, how it affects you and also how to help calm your nerves.
You dont have to have a mental health nurse, but a support system is important.
Do you have family and friends that your able to talk to as well?

Also on BB, theres information about anxiety if you would like to take a read of that as well to help you while waiting to be seen by a therapist

[MsPurple]

HI Luna

I know what you mean. It is a hard to come to terms with. Especially if you haven't been exposed to it before. I guess I had anxiety from childhood however I wasn't quite sure what it was at the time. When I was an adult and diagnosed I was alone and had to deal with it myself. It is hard but time makes it easier and it gets better over time. I find the severity and nonoccurence of my anxiety attacks are less often and less long. I haven't had one in a while.

At least you know it is nothing physical. It at least you know nothing is wrong. Yes your anxiety will try trick you into thinking it is something worse, but you just need to reassure yourself that you are ok.