Causes of Stroke and Heart Attack

[jwhitleyjr]

I just had a severe Anxiety attack where I was triggered by some thing that severely scared me. It was like my heart jumping out of my chest. Now I am feeling sharp chest pains and a headache. I am now pretty scared for the worst. This is the worst Anxiety attack I ever had. I have been taking my meds and aspirins.. I want to be fine.

[jwhitleyjr]

Right arm feels sore.

[Agora1 in reply to jwhitleyjr]

jwhitleyjr, I just saw your post now.How are you today? We can't diagnose but we can

suggest you get to the ER or call your doctor to be on

the safe side. I hope you are okay today xx

[designguy]

Hello J, here is my response to a similar posting:

i've healed a lot of my anxiety but occasionally still have bouts of health anxiety. Recently i've had issues with high blood pressure and it's kicked off the health anxiety again.

I came across the youtube videos of Paige Pradko a therapist who specializes and even has an online program for health anxiety. paigepradko.com/. I think her youtube videos are very good and helpful for health anxiety and explain a lot about it. Basically those of us with it are usually creative and over-thinkers and like things resolved and have difficulty trusting that we will be ok and believing in ourselves.

Some other things that have helped me are the DARE Anxiety book, youtube videos and phone app for learning to accept the anxious thoughts and feelings and never believe the anxious thoughts and learning and practicing simple mindfulness to be able to let the anxious thoughts flow in and out without attaching to them. Also, using CBT and asking myself how real is this threat and what is the likely probability helps in putting things in context. I also found ACT therapy helpful for complimenting the DARE approach of accepting and allowing the anxious feelings and surrendering to them instead of fighting them. It's also helpful for practicing distress tolerance which is difficult for those of us with health anxiety. Another thing is consciously practicing bringing myself back to the present moment and reminding myself that I am ok.

Right now i'm trying to look at my recent health anxiety episode as to how I can learn from it and how it can make me more resilient, some days it's easier than others. Hope this helps and you're doing ok.

[jwhitleyjr in reply to designguy]

I am trying to do that. I am trying to use my episodes to build more strength.

[designguy in reply to jwhitleyjr]

Good for you. Knowing what is really going on helped me in understanding it.