New here.. my panic attack story

[nobot87]

Hey guys. Ive been having panic attacks for about 3 years. When I first starting having them, they would go away after a few weeks. But now this year, I have anxiety and panic attacks everyday since February. I have a severe problem with thinking I am about to die of a heart attack. No matter what I learn about panic attacks and heart attacks, I just cant stop connecting my panic attacks with the health of my heart. I am 26 years old and have gone to the ER dozens of times just to find out that I am just experiencing anxiety. It's really scary because I would have really bad chest pains without having a panic attack or even feeling anxious. Which will then escalate to anxiety then panic attacks. I recently have gone to Cognitive Behavior Therapy, which helped me immensely get over my attacks. After 3 sessions with the therapist, I completely gotten over my chest pains and attacks. A week later while I was eating at a restaurant, I started having a really bad headache, and my legs and arms started shaking and I had this immense feeling of unreality like I was really high. I was then afraid I was going to have a seizure. I've never had a seizure before, but I've never heard of people with panic attacks fear of having seizures. Of course I then went to the ER just to find out its just anxiety. And now fast forward to today I have nonstop chest pains, headaches, and panic attacks. It's been really hard for me to go out and do anything anymore...

[jessed03]

Sounds rough. 3 years is a fair while too, even though you've had some breaks. Nothing tires out the mind like anxiety. Nothing at all. I've spent 12 hours in a room writing, I felt nowhere near a burnt out compared to the days I spent in bed with anxiety.

It's a plus you got over the chest pain fear. Even briefly. Is it back now or... Still gone? Are you back in CBT for these new fears? If it worked a little at first, worth sticking to, it should help.

Welcome to the site by the way! Good to have you here.

[daisydoo17]

Have you seen a psychologist or psychiatrist yet?
I had the same thing happen to me, I went to the ER then to a cardiologist to find out that nothing is wrong with my heart, it's anxiety, yippie! One would think that this realization would help decrease my anxiety but it hasnt. Yesterday I had pain in my left shoulder, then I felt it in my left arm and I was convinced I was having a heart attack which in turn caused an anxiety attack.
What's the CBT? do you really find it helpful? I will try anything at this point.

[Dahila]

Panic attack with shaking is probably the worst, you can not hide it. I have been there...............welcome to the forum;)

[nobot87]

Thanks for the support guys! Yeah Daisy, CBT is really really helpful. Basically the therapist teaches you about Panic attacks and he also asks you questions and tries to figure out why you think certain anxious thoughts. Eventually I realize that my thought process is completely out of whack when it comes to thinking about death or when I am out into society. It's really helping me become less depressed about having a panic disorder, but I still have chronic chest discomfort and get really shaky every so often.

[JohnC]

Welcome,
Been there and done that, It's dam expensive too ( going to ER ). I feel bad because it puts my family in financial hardship.
Lots of people on here just like you and I. Please if you have the time do some reading on some of the other threads. Look for similarities that you may have, it helps.
Never hesitate to ask.