Shaking head and Panic?

[DustinS85]

When I get a panic attack I seem to shake my head up and down....anyone else do this? I feel it must make me look crazy.

[mrmonk]

Yup, I get that too, but not only that -- also twisting my neck, shaking my legs, flicking my wrists, contorting my body in other ways, and, if it's really bad, banging my fists on my legs. There are other behaviors, too, and it can look like I'm having a fit. I have emetophobia, and I experience this, mainly, when I'm having what I call a "phobia attack" -- just a phobia-induced panic attack -- but it happens when I'm in a health anxiety panic, too. I don't know if I'm correct, but it feels like I'm releasing pent up adrenaline -- at least, I think that's part of what is going on -- do you feel that rush of adrenaline?

[DustinS85 in reply to mrmonk]

I am a fellow Emetophobia sufferer.....and a Acid Reflux sufferer too :-(...I get some twisting of head while shaking up and down. I also tend to feel my fingers (rub my fingers together). My two biggest fears are vomiting and death.

[mrmonk in reply to DustinS85]

Wow. We have much in common. And actually, after 30+ years of living with it, I've come to the conclusion that those two fears are tethered to experiencing loss of control. I don't fear death, insomuch as I fear KNOWING (sorry for the caps, I don't know how to italicize on this site) I might have symptoms of a catastrophic condition and doing nothing about it; I cannot tolerate ignoring symptoms when I might have some measure of control. I was in the ER just last night for the fourth time in a matter of months, this time fearful of an aortic aneurysm/dissection. I don't know how much longer I can go on like this.

[DustinS85 in reply to mrmonk]

I always seem to fear circulatory issues and Aneurysms are my biggest fear. I guess it has to do with the fact that they are silent until they blow. I probably had 20 CT scans in my life worrying about health.

[mrmonk in reply to DustinS85]

Well, there can be some telltale signs, like feeling a strong pulse near the navel or lower back.

I've had seven CT scans in the past year and half; so, when I go to the ER now, it's the thing I'm most reluctant to do. I'm worried what continued radiation exposure will do to my body.

[DustinS85 in reply to mrmonk]

Same here.

[Anxious2befree in reply to mrmonk]

I have a strong pulse near my belly button and the doctors have all said its fine? I gave had it all my life so should I now start to worry?

[mrmonk in reply to Anxious2befree]

If you're doctors have checked it out and said you were fine, then it sounds like you're good to go, especially if you've had it all your life. The best we can do is to find doctors whose judgement we trust, consult them when something concerns us, and be proactive in advocating for ourselves as patients.

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I do it too.