Scared

[CopingwithEx]

Everything seems to scare me and is making anxiety go wild. Have been feeling like I've been chocking all day, I feel like I'm loosing my mind!! Any help?

[Sarah_brarian]

I went through something similar a few months ago. I have had anxiety manifest in so many forms but the choking one was by far the most uncomfortable. I went to my doctor who prescribed antacids. I was frustrated at first, thinking he was just trying to get me out of there but he said, "Your issue is caused by anxiety." I was shocked. I didn't tell him that I'd been having anxiety but he knew just from how I described it. He said, "Sometimes people who suffer from chronic anxiety get this. It's caused from your stomach being upset and kicking acid up into your throat." "But I feel like I'm choking and can't swallow. I don't feel heartburn." "It's a strange reaction from your body but I'm sure that's the issue." I tried the antacids as he'd prescribed and about a week later, my symptoms were gone! I haven't had this issue since. I'm not sure if you're having the same problem but it sounds very similar.

I know this is scary. You are safe. You are in control. You can do this. You are much more brave than you think you are. Try laying at an incline, using some Eucalyptus oil in a diffuser and breathe steadily. You've got this.

I wish you the best.

[Jeff1943]

Edmx, no you're not losing your mind, you're O.K., what you describe are the classic symptoms of anxiety and most people on this forum have experienced them.

You see, once you've made your nervous system over sensitive by bombarding it with too much stress and worry it exaggerates all our normal fears and worries ten fold. Minor problems easily fixed can appear like impossible major emergencies. But they're not, they're still only minor problems (or even non-existant problem) but shattered nerves magnify everything way, way out of proportion.

The choking feeling most likely in my opinion is what's called Globus Hystericus, a very common anxiety symptom whereby we feel there's a lump or blockage in our throats. I had it 20 years ago, I was sent by my doctor for a barium meal which indicated everything was normal. That was the reassurance I needed, I forgot to worry about it any more and it never returned.

So stay calm, you're not dying or losing your mind, you're just following a well worn path most of us here have trod. So just accept the bad thoughts and bad feelings for the moment, stop re-sensitising your nerves with fear every 5 minutes, stay calm, relax, read what others have done here to assist their recovery. Everything is going to be alright, Edmx.