Blood pressure

[Espinoza38]

So I have a serious question. Who else has a phobia of taking their blood pressure? Like seriously. I recently found out that's my phobia. The thought of taking it makes me panick then I take it and its sky high. Which then makes me freak out and by the time I know it I'm full blown anxiety. I need to over come this but how?

[Hidden]

If you panic right before taking it, you can expect it to be high. Taking blood pressure is an anxiety trigger for you.

Do you have hypertension?

[Espinoza38 in reply to Hidden]

Nope no hypertension. All the times I've gone to the hospital they tell me I do. But then I go to see my pcp and he says no I dont have it.

[Hidden in reply to Espinoza38]

I'll bet anxiety is playing a big role there. Hey, don't take your bp if you don't have to. I don't want it to trigger your anxiety. It will be one less thing to worry about.

[Espinoza38 in reply to Hidden]

I honestly think it is my anxiety. I know I dont have high blood pressure. But I still want to check it. Just to over come my fear.

[Hidden in reply to Espinoza38]

Try not to check it as much. Treat it like any other phobia and move into it gradually. Just put it on and try to relax. It may take some time to get to the point of relaxation but once you can do that, do a little bit more.

[Espinoza38 in reply to Hidden]

Ok I will

[Hidden]

Hello Espinoza38!

Don’t take your blood pressure! That’s what I had to do. They take it when I have an appointment with my doctor and that’s it. I take 3 different meds to control it and they work just fine as long as I don’t take my own blood pressure. It only causes me anxiety to take it and it’s high, so I feel like I do so much better when I don’t focus on it at all! Sometimes when I overly think about/focus on my physical problems, they end up being magnified in my head. Did your doctor ask you to check and record your BP at home?

[morenews in reply to Hidden]

exactly my issue: if i focus on my medical problem ...it is growing in my mind and becomes a real disaster. I am trying not to dwell on it, take steps and follow doctor instructions...but not think about it all the time. I can not say I manage always not to...but i am trying.

[Hidden in reply to morenews]

Being able to verbalize and acknowledge that you’re doing it is half the battle!! Keep fighting!!

[Espinoza38 in reply to Hidden]

True true. I just want to over come it.

[Espinoza38 in reply to morenews]

I can manage with other 5hings but when it comes to checking my blood pressure it scares me. Now I feel anxious lol

[morenews in reply to Espinoza38]

I guess this is your trigger...it is good to know for you and not overdo it. Good luck!

[Espinoza38 in reply to Hidden]

Yes they asked me to do it for 2 weeks. I did it and they where good the highest was 140/70. So all he told me was to not stress.

[Hidden in reply to Espinoza38]

Exactly!! You’ve got this girl!! Leave that BP cuff alone! 😜

[Espinoza38 in reply to Hidden]

I got this I know I do. Ok I'm a try not to check it. But now I feel funny in my chest. It's just anxiety.

[guynfl2chat]

I have this issue. When I go to the doctor she explains it as white coat syndrome. I have had the same doctor for 20 years and lately she has not been as patient with me when it's high and says we have to stop blaming anxiety. That sort of pissed me off. I take it at home and sometimes its normal but honestly it can be high one minute and ok the next. I am on meds that will protect me but I am now afraid of having my pressure taken and think something is wrong.

Here is what you can do. Buy a home monitor. Take it when you can relax and try to think of something else. Do this s few times and try to get s baseline of your BP. Then put it away for a while and dont obsess about it. Seek treatment if you are not on bp meds and check periodically. Tell the doctor you have white coat syndrome and let them take a few times during your visit.

Anxiety can cause higher readings but you still need to just self monitor but again dont over obsess with it.

[Espinoza38 in reply to guynfl2chat]

I'm a try. But it's hard really hard. I'm a get my friend to check it for me in a bit. But first I need to chill lol. I'm getting anxious

[Hidden in reply to Espinoza38]

You don’t need to check it...

[Hidden]

Stay away from taking readings right now! It’s not necessary! You’re fine and so am I!! 🌺🙃🌺

[Espinoza38 in reply to Hidden]

Yes we are. Ok

[Hidden]

My ex is phobic to Dr's or any medical staff taking his blood pressure and as a result it's always very high unless he can do it himself at home

[Espinoza38 in reply to Hidden]

At least he can take it himself. I cant even do that. I just see the machine and I start panicking lol. But I need to over come it I know I do.