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Feeling Alone w/ Anxiety, Depression + Unexplained Chest Pain
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: Jan 21, 2023 | Replies (16)Comment receiving replies
I honestly feel like I'm going crazy sometimes with anxiety and panic attacks, nothing feels like it's helping and no matter what advice I take from my therapist I still constantly have fear. I have chest pain constantly and have had many, many, many trips to the ER and cardiologist and several tests done and things to rule out my heart but no matter what I always feel like it is my heart and I have these impending doom thoughts and sometimes I get so scared of the pain that I can't sleep or am afraid to sleep and it's getting to the point when I go to ER with these symptoms, they do an EKG and tell me I'm fine, sending me home, sometimes blood work is done but not always. I've been to several ER departments trying to find out if there is any cause but any of them tell me everything is normal and to follow up with my PCP but they can't even tell me what it could be. I feel like a lost cause sometimes. I just have no idea what to do anymore with these feelings. I just wish I could go one day without feeling this pain or feeling like something awful is going to happen to me. I really hope I don't sound like a maniac.
Replies to "I honestly feel like I'm going crazy sometimes with anxiety and panic attacks, nothing feels like..."
Have you tried anti depressants that help anxiety?Also have they prescribed Klonopin or Xanax for to use only in a panic attack. My psychiatrist prescribes Zoloft and Klonopin. The Klonpin is a small strength to get me through.
You probably have “health anxiety disorder” which used to be called Hypochondria.” It can be a very scary disorder. There are several good meds for your anxiety. Please see your Dr. and don’t go to the emergency room. You can overcome this feeling….you are in good health…really.
I have had health anxiety my entire life. I have your same symptoms. However, I am now 81 so it has been good for one thing: I sleep well, exercise, eat clean, and don't try drugs. That being said, I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy because it interferes with my enjoying the time I have left. I am already on an antidepressant that is supposed to be good for this but it isn't working.
I feel like I am under stress, but it is stress I give myself.
In my personal experience and observations fear of a body part can be passed down through family. For example my maternal grandmother had breast cancer and underwent a "radical mastectomy". She thought her surgeon had maimed her. Needless to say my mother developed fear about this and her fear has been passed down to her daughters. My mother really carried it to the extreme by not allowing my sister to pursue becoming a physician, and avoiding doctors altogether herself. This leads me to wonder if you have any family history of heart related issues? If by chance you do it might be of help airing them with your therapist if you haven't done so already.
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Hello @kaitlynottum. Feeling like this has to be all-consuming at times. I am sorry you are dealing with these feelings. I have a few questions to get started and so that I may connect you with others who may be able to understand as well.
Have you followed up with your PCP post-ER visits?
Are you under a good amount of stress regularly?