anxiety attack symptoms and feelings

[shane bevan]

Good evening everyone,*I am new here and thought the best way to get some others perspectives is to just jump in and ask. But I guess I should give a little quick backstory as to why I am here and what is wrong. May 2011 I moved from California to Arizona to live with my girlfriend. A day before I was set to leave, I woke up in the middle of the night with rappid heart rate and increased blood pressure. Being only 25 years old this scared me enough that I went to the emergency room to make sure I was ok and wasnt having a heart attack. The ER DR said it was anxiety and nothing else was wrong. It was at this point I began to fixate on my heart health. To the point that every symptom that I felt I would start to worry that it was a sign of a heart attack. I went a few times to ERs in Arizona for the same issues, and was told every time that it was anxiety. We moved to North Carolina in September for work. I seemed to have no issues in September but by Decmber my anxiety came back in full force and then some. I have tried dealing with it the whole time by myself but about 8 weeks ago I finally reached my breaking point and went to a therapist and a phycologist and was prescribed medication to take. I have good days but still have some bad days because the medicine has not fully taken hold.*My question is when others have symptoms of an anxiety attack what symptoms do you get? What do you physicaly feel? How long do they last? Any physical symptom I feel scares me about my heart health even though I have been to 2 cardiologists since May 2011 including January 2013 and each time they run a few tests and both times have told me there is nothing wrong with my heart, but my mind will just not let it go and fully accept it.*Any information, tips, or help anyone can give will be very appreceated.*Thank You

[jbevis]

I have health related anxiety attacks as well. My heart races and I get afraid I'm having a heart attack. I wake up with my ears ringing and head pressure and think I have a brain tumor. I'll get a sore muscle (I walk everyday) and will think blood clot. It sucks so bad! In the midst of an attack I sometimes get really cold, I get tingling in my hands and an overall lightheaded feeling. Sometimes my heart races, my stomach clenches, and I just feel terrified.

[alankay]

Your attacks a textbook with respect to the heart. High pulse/BP due to the adrenaline. May also feel it's hard to breath, muscle/inner tension, much fear/distress, etc, but you'r feeling what many of us do when we get anxiety. Keep on the med(an ssri I bet). If 2 cardiologists cleared your heart, it just that damned anxiety distressing you. I went through the same thing as do many with anxiety. Alankay

[shane bevan]

It makes it a little easier knowing im not the only one. Ive felt like i have been alone and when im physically alone during the day my anxiety and fear creeps up and is difficult. I have felt so desperate and pathetic.

[NixonRulz]

You will never have a patent on an anxiety symptom. They are so not unique to you

I have the exact same story as you for the start of your anxiety issues

It can be overcome with a little understanding of what it is and what symptoms you experience.

All symptoms that are not dangerous, just a bit uncomfortable.

You have a clean bill if health. It is your anxiety symptoms giving you the impression of heart troubles.

If when you feel those physical symptoms, blow them off as a symptom and not dangerous

If you don't react with fear, you won't get the rush of adrenaline. Even if you do, that too is just a symptom.

[shane bevan]

I feel stupid that i cant just understand that im physically ok. I can hear it from many different sources but i cant control what my mind thinks to be true. i feel like im loosing my mind. I was also recently diagnosed with adult ADHA so my mind gets hyperfocus

[shane bevan]

I feel stupid that i cant just understand that im physically ok. I can hear it from many different sources but i cant control what my mind thinks to be true. i feel like im loosing my mind. I was also recently diagnosed with adult ADHA so my mind gets hyperfocused on things so that with anxiety is a vicious circle.

[NixonRulz]

Because your mind is being tricked by your anxiety

It's easy to grasp when you feel well, very difficult when you are stressed

You are letting yourself believe its lies. There is nothing wrong with you except you have anxiety

Your anxiety tries to make you think everything is wrong with you.

[shane bevan]

I dont know how to stop or shut out the lies. I am on two different medications one for anxiety and the other for ADHD. Ive been on the anxiety one for about 8 weeks and have had the dose upped twice. I kust thought id be doing better than i am. I mean dont get me wrong im better than i was. It was a living hell a few months ago. I just dont have very many outlets. I go to a theropist about once a week and have two other personal outlets and thats it. Ita at the point where my peronal outlets are stressing me out. I just dont know what to do anymore.

[NixonRulz]

It sounds like you are doing the right things


Give the meds a chance.

And most importantly, stop putting so much pressure on yourself.

You feel better than a few weeks ago. You're headed in the right direction

As you come to understand what you are going through, the answers will come with it.

[shane bevan]

I am glad i found this page. Ive felt like ive been alone for so long

[Lin]

I think you will find lots of help and support on this forum when you need it. Really feels good when someone responds to you and cares enough to try and help.

[shane bevan]

It does. Its been really hard for me. Ive felt alone with this for a long time.

[kaysha44]

My anxiety attacks make me feel like I'm having a heart attack or something to, I feel like I can't breathe so I panic more then when I panic I cry so I get worked up and it just feels like I'm going to die to be honest.it scares the hell out of me and I don't know what to do half the time

[shane bevan]

I know how you feel. Its terrible it really does suck