Hypochondriac Panic Attack

[ItsOkay_]

I’m a hypochondriac and I’ve been having a panic attack this morning, I think it was the worst I’ve had in a long time, I’m writing this because I think just taking it out actually kind of helps me.

I’m staying with some friends 3 hours from where I live so I think that is contributing too, but basically I woke up very early to use the bathroom and my heart rate was a little high (we were out drinking the night before and that’s probably why), but that caused my thoughts to spits onto all these symptoms I thought I was having and I was convinced I was having a heart attack and I couldn’t cam down. I had to wake up my friend to try and calm me down. My heart was in my throat at what felt like 1000mph and I was gonna ask him to take me to the hospital, but I realized just talking to him calmed me down. I’ve been up for a while and I feel like I’ve calmed down.

I think the thing I found most interesting is that so much of my anxiety revolves around the facade that “everything is alright” that when it came time to just say to my friend “I’m not okay and I need help” it actually served as a relief. Anyone else have a similar experience or feelings?

[CazO46]

Hi, yes I can relate to what you are experiencing. I have had health anxiety for a number of years. Unfortunately I do have health problems but I think my anxiety makes my symptoms worse. That said when I'm open and honest with my family about how I feel they are kind and reassuring that, even though I am unwell, I'm still the same person, I'm loved by them and everything is going to be ok. The panic is a horrible feeling but rarely are our worse fears every realised. We have amazing, vivid minds which help and torment us in equal measure! I hope you have a peaceful day, you too will be ok .

[DymphnaDarling in reply to CazO46]

Oh my goodness, I love that sentence. "We have amazing, vivid minds which help and torment us in equal measure!" I cannot count how many times I have paused for a moment and just been absolutely awe-freakin'-struck by what my mind is capable of. I mean seriously. Now I suppose the trick will be to learn to harness that power and use it for good rather than evil.

[CazO46 in reply to DymphnaDarling]

You are so right , taming the tiger is hard work but worth the effort if we can get it right xx

[DymphnaDarling]

One time the panic was so bad that I hadn't been able to sleep for four days. I called my psychiatrist and he was out of the office so I convinced the receptionist to put one of his colleagues on the phone. Then I convinced that psychiatrist to send me a prescription for a sleeping pill to the pharmacy by my mom's house where I have been staying. After he agreed to do so, my mom went to the pharmacy to pick it up. By the time she got home with the pills I was sound asleep and didn't wake up for ten hours. The doctor called me the next day to ask how I was doing and I told him that knowing I wasn't on my own anymore calmed me down just enough for my physical exhaustion to take over. He told me that is actually very common. I totally relate to your experience and I think there is something like a spillway that opens when we ask for help. It may not totally solve all our problems but it lets off enough pressure that the dam doesn't burst and destroy every living thing downstream. And we can get some sleep. Good job reaching out to your friend, I'm so glad it helped! xoxo DD