Health anxiety and triggers?

[Preciouslamb1]

Hello

I suffer from health anxiety related to my heart. I have really been working hard to get my anxiety under control and I have not had a panic attack in a little while. Well a client from work told me his parents had died, dad of heart attack and the next day the mother had a stroke. So they passed away two days apart. I felt for this family and what they were going through. After that, I drive away feelings lots of anxiety, negative thoughts about heart and stroke and heart attack and then Had a panic attack!!! . So I feel what I heard caused the panic attack? Does that makes sense? Just curious and wondering how can I avoid these triggers to affect me this way .. thanks!

[jkl5500]

I suggest you get examined by your doctor, and tell him/her that you're worried about your heart. If your heart checks out okay, then you know you're dealing strictly with anxiety.

That story about both parents dying would shock anybody, so it's no surprise that you were affected. Most likely, it was the cause of the panic attack. That's why getting a physical exam should be your first step in preventing this kind of trigger in the future.

[Preciouslamb1 in reply to jkl5500]

Thank you for your response. I have already been cleared by a doctor and cardiologist, I got checked. I suffer from anxiety (health) and panic attacks). I was more curious about triggers for panic attacks as it seems that I had one based on what I heard(death), What triggers causes your panic attacks and how you deal with them?

[veronicarocks]

Having a panic attack feels like you’re having a heart attack (at least for me). What helps me reduce my anxiety are grounding techniques. Do a search on the internet for different types of grounding techniques.

[ErinMarionSkystar]

I understand your fear. I've found that hearing about different health related issues that have happened to other people can be a big trigger for my health anxiety. I've gotten to where i'll have to leave the room, plug my ears, or just tell the person talking to stop, because i know that i may have nightmares and panic attacks later.

and yeah, a panic attack can totally feel like you are having a heart attack and/or any number of terrible things happening in your body, but it really is just the anxiety. because of how anxiety affects your body, you tend to tense up and your heart races, and blood rushes toward your arms and legs and away from the rest of you, like your brain. it's great when you are actually in a fight or flight situation, where you have to run or fight, but not so great when you're just fine and have no real reason to panic.

also, and this isn't to try to scare you, but rather to try to give you a head's up so you know that this is normal: sometimes you won't have an obvious trigger. so just because you don't know why you feel like you're dying, doesn't mean you are. i would suggest that when these panic attacks happen, talk to someone you trust who is near you. (for me, this is simple as i'm a highschooler and live with my parents). almost all of the things you will worry about are actually pretty simple to disprove, as long as there is someone there who isn't totally freaking out. I once had to run/crawl up the stairs and was crying while begging my mom to tell me i had a pulse because i was certain i was dying. if your panic attacks happen at work, talk to a trusted coworker (preferably not while you are having a panic attack) and explain the situation to them. you don't have to give them all the details, just let them know that occasionally you feel like something is really wrong with your health, and you just need someone to help you realize that you are ok.

also, talk to your doctor about the panic attacks. see if you can be referred to a counselor or psychiatrist, as therapy and meds can be a huge gamechanger.

hope this helps if you have any other questions, feel free to ask me