Anxiety and Depression

[sportscoach]

An interesting article I tend to find the medical profession very caring but struggle to get a handle sometimes on the many other problems AF is either affected by or causes........medicalxpress.com/news/2018...

[Hidden]

Thanks. This may be a better link. Will have a look tomorrow.

medicalxpress.com/news/2018...

[Kaz747]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[BobD Volunteer]

For the last fourteen years I have been banging on to doctors about the psychological affect AF has on people and the need for support in this direction. The introduction of arrhythmia nurse specialists has helped where they are available but still a difficult area.

[TamlaMotown in reply to BobD]

They just don't get it do they!!

[maxred1]

Looked at the article which started off on a derogatory note with disinformation. Poor but not unexpected. Then to the bit about 78 people, too small a sample to even make a comment, but they did. Continues to highlight how little the medical profession understand the condition and its effects. Keep up the fight folks with self diagnosis and treatment. Know your own body and condition. Take care

[Hidden]

Looking round the internet, there seems at first glance to be a disconnect often between research studies in this area and the experience of many with AF who know the reality of living with it. My experience is that my anxiety was a lot worse when I was paroxysmal rather than persistent.

This might be of interest if you haven't seen it.

healthtalk.org/peoples-expe...

[TamlaMotown in reply to Hidden]

Hi Oyster. I enjoyed watching that.

Can I ask you how you feel with persistent AF as opposed to paroxysmal AF. Is it just you have less anxiety because the uncertainty is gone or are the symptoms different in some way.

[Hidden in reply to TamlaMotown]

HI there.

I had paroxysmal AF on and off for 9 years. Although my anxiety about it got less over time, I was always waiting for the next episode.

Episodes made me more anxious. The rate was slow compared to many others and in retrospect I think it was anxiety that made them seem worse than they were. I had no physical symptoms other than palpitations.

With persistent AF I mostly feel fine at rest. I am aware of it moving about, but not strangely on the treadmill or static bike. I can’t exercise as hard as I used to and would still like to . When I try to, I am punished with 24 hours of uncomfortable and very frequent atrial ectopics.

It’s not easy being an exercise addict in permanent withdrawal 🙂

[TamlaMotown in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that. AF is a cruel mistress isn't she