potential 'boy who cried wolf' situation???

[vonnhelsing]

So I know the thing we must do when we're having a panic attack is to tell ourselves that we are fine and its just the result of being over anxious and worried and stressed...

We feel short of breath.. we feel pain in our chest and we feel a sense of impending doom. We feel the panic rising and we start all the things we've learnt to do to calm down.

What scares me though is what if one day we do have a legitimate health problem and we just dismiss it as anxiety???? How do we tell the difference between an actual heart problem or a heart attack from anxiety pains???

[needtogetwell]

So I know the thing we must do when we're having a panic attack is to tell ourselves that we are fine and its just the result of being over anxious and worried and stressed... We feel short of breath.. we feel pain in our chest and we feel a sense of impending doom. We feel the panic rising and we start all the things we've learnt to do to calm down. What scares me though is what if one day we do have a legitimate health problem and we just dismiss it as anxiety???? How do we tell the difference between an actual heart problem or a heart attack from anxiety pains???


Hi vonnhelsing,

From the number of posts you have made, I am going to assume that you are not that new to this forum or anxiety/panic itself. You know what to do when an attack happens, obviously have good coping skills.

But.....from this post and your questions, it looks like you are still falling for the anxious mind game. The WHAT IF GAME.....big time trap!
Keeps you in a viscous circle, won't let you leave.

So, here's my ten cents worth. If you're having an attack and symptoms are bothersome get them checked out. Weigh your risk factors (heart attack example). Are you over 40 or 50? Do you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol? Do you smoke? Does heart disease run in your family? The fewer yesses you have the lower your risk!

If you are truly having a significant medical event you will know it and seek medical help. If you are having an attack and your good coping skills aren't working, seek medical help.

Don't just dismiss, analyse. Easier said than done, I know.

Get off the "what if" merry go round and see how it goes.

I wish you much success! Good luck!
~Pam

[vonnhelsing]

Thanks both. Definitely great advice. Ive gotten off the 'what if' merry go round before but sometimes I get on again and its difficult to get off..

Anxiety pains are pretty intense but I am still in a state to walk and get on with my business.. I guess if it was a heart attack I would not be able to do as much.

Ive been having crazy anxiety since October (started a new position at my work) but the difference between now and back in the day, when I first developed this, is that I dont let it stop me from going out and socialising and doing things I used to (toned down though)

Glad that my pics are somewhat of a motivation to you frankie : )

[jessed03]

Nixon told a story on here once, far better than I'd tell it, so I'll just sum it up.

He said he had a friend with anxiety, who worried about his heart symptoms constantly. Then one day he had an actual heart attack. He said he never worried about his symptoms ever again after that, as they were so different from an actual heart problem.

If you've had good tests, which I think you have, that should rule out a lot of minor problems, the big stuff, you know!

I used to worry about being bipolar, until I met somebody who actually had bipolar, and realized my symptoms, and their condition were a world apart.

[vonnhelsing]

My heart tests have always come back normal but recently I was told by my cardiologist that I have a mild pectus excavatum and that set off my anxiety again big time because my heart is being slightly compressed.

He said its very mild and that I dont require surgery.. but I just cant stop thinking about it.

I think i can blame all of this on indigestion, gas and acid reflux cause I get all these issues after I eat.

[needtogetwell]

Thanks both. Definitely great advice. Ive gotten off the 'what if' merry go round before but sometimes I get on again and its difficult to get off.. Anxiety pains are pretty intense but I am still in a state to walk and get on with my business.. I guess if it was a heart attack I would not be able to do as much. Ive been having crazy anxiety since October (started a new position at my work) but the difference between now and back in the day, when I first developed this, is that I dont let it stop me from going out and socialising and doing things I used to (toned down though) Glad that my pics are somewhat of a motivation to you frankie : )

You've got it! Keep in mind, in order to keep you in the game, anxiety changes the rules. Just change them back to what you want!

Keep smiling! :D

[jjh333]

Hi Yvonne :)

That's such a valid concern.

All I can say us people who have had a bad heart attack say the pain is like nothing else. I got the sense from them that one would really know the difference between that event and what one experiences in an anxiety event. The anxiety is so damn distressing and all kind of fear responses take off. But a huge heart attack is a huge heart attack.

My mum has anxiety. She also has angina and has had a heart attack. She definitely recognised the difference.

If you have been fully checked out then it's about as much as someone can do and then get on with the business of trying to overcome the anxiety.

By the way, your FB pix always make me happy to see. Getting out and about and having some fun. Thanks. It's inspirational. :)


I'm sorry about your mom's health problems, but it is comforting to see that people can tell the difference between symptoms... that's something that's always made me nervous since my chest and sternum are what tighten and hurt when I have anxiety