I was happily replying easy emails at early 3am after waking up from an early night sleep when suddenly I fell heaviness in chest and now am having an anxiety attack. I measured my HR which was normal 78. I tried to rationalized my mind that it was prob just acid reflux since I had spicy food for dinner, didn't take my gastric med for days and sleeping early after eating. That should not be a big concern. I could just take some gaviscon and be ok. But my mind is racing and telling me that it MIGHT be acid reflux BUT what if its something else??What if this time its really something wrong with my heart!Now my HR just went 100 and its not helping with my anxiety!And now its giving me the idea of going to the emergency which is 1.5 hours distance from where I live. I'm doing the breathing technique but not really working at the moment 
Why do I get anxiety attack even when... - Anxiety and Depre...
Why do I get anxiety attack even when I was in my calmest state of mind?
Depending where you live and what time is now, maybe go for a walk. Fresh air can oxygenate your brain cells. Or is there anybody that you can talk to? If so give them a call. The point is to focus on something else so your anxiety doesn't get the best out of you. I hope you feel better soon.
I just started experiencing anxiety attacks a month ago and I’m 39 years old. I have been to the hospital several times with increased blood pressure and heart rate. I am still learning how to deal with my anxiety, but fresh air and the outside calms me some.
Girlbali, there is nothing to fear, you are safe and in good physical health. But you have health anxiety which is why you're here. Last time you went to the Emergency Room they thoroughly checked you over and you had a talk with a psychiatrist and you were told you were fine physically. You say you left feeling a new person. Why repeat the process when you know only too well it will be the same diagnosis.
Your heart is fine, the chest pain most surely muscular tension caused by anxiety. Any way you've had the EKG and your heart is normal. Pulse rate always increases when we are anxious and gives much higher than normal readings, why should you be any different?
Let me answer the question in your heading. When we have health anxiety our nervous system becomes over sensitive and remains that way 24/7 even though we may be feeling normal. Then every now and then our nerves play up often with no discernable trigger. Although you were feeling calm the nervous sensitivity was there in the background waiting to throw you a wobbly. That's why it came out of the blue.
Girlbali, I don't know what happened to cause you anxiety. Clearly your father's death was traumatic for you. Maybe that was all it took. Your grief caused anxiety that caused symptoms that caused more anxiety that caused more symptoms and so the vicious circle rolls on, fuelled by vivid imagination which always suspects worse case scenarios for every symptom. That's what sensitised nerves can do, they make you think everything is 10 times worse than it is and anxiety is very, very good at imitating real physical illness.
So take a step back. Your body is reacting perfectly normal for someone with an anxiety disorder. You do not have any life-threatening conditions. Anxiety has its limitations, it can only frighten you, it can't permanently damage your mind or body. And when you free yourself of anxiety all these annoying symptoms will disperse and you will feel normal once more.
How do you do it, I hear you ask? Now you know how anxiety operates and its limitations you will find it less fearful than before. (I wouldn't be surprised if your reflux was due to anxiety too). You recover by framing your mind to accept all the uncomfortable symptoms for the time being. Don't react to each episode of anxiety by releasing more fear hormones which only keep your nerves in a state of sensitivity.
Accept your symptoms for the moment, don't fight them. Agree to coexist with them for a while, fighting them only causes more tension and stress. If you can do that you take the pressure off your nervous system and they recover. So tell yourself to stay calm and get on with your life despite anxiety's irritations. Give your nerves a rest and they will recover.
So remember, all is well. Nothing awful is going to happen. Anxiety attacks are just blips in your nervous system, they cause discomfort but no more than that. Accept everything, this is the key to your recovery which will surely come.
Thank you jeff1943 for helping me to understand my anxiety. I'm always having constant anxiety and feeling weak most of the time that I avoid moving too much. I'm obsessed with checking my pulse all day that I need to check it from the neckline because I would bruised both of my wrist from pressing them too much. The only time I get a great sense freedom and energy are the times after I got a reassurance from the doctors. I want to always have that feeling. I want to want to stay calm and not be scared anymore.
I recommend a book which will help you greatly, it will bring understanding, reassurance and a method that will bring about respite and recovery based on the Acceptance method that has worked for untold thousands over the years. It was written by Claire Weekes and its u.s. title is "Hope and help for your nerves" and it's available from Amazon. You are not going to feel like this forever, I assure you.
I just ordered the book. It's gonna take some times to arrive in Bali but I'm very excited to read it. I hope this book will help me to recover. Thank you so much Jeff1943 for your support. I really appreciate it
Panic attacks can come out of nowhere, I’m sorry you’re experiencing this. Hang in there.
Thank you AmitCA85. Its been good these 2 days. Trying to stay positive
yes your right girlbali,it defenatley dos its like the carm before the storm,perhapse
its some genetic wy our bodies gives us time to prepare for trouble and relax,girlbali.
Thanks peekanese. I've been good again these two days. Reading about overcoming anxiety as much as I can online. Hopefully I'm putting myself in the right place for recovery
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