Ok...this new intrusive thought is pushing me to the edge, need help please.

[The_Anxiety_War]

Okay so if anyone knows me on this page, I deal with extreme anxiety and panic disorder..I am gullible to the most silliest health intrusive thought. So I've dealt with some crazy anxiety..used to think I was blind when I wasn't (overcame that), dealth with sever depersonalization derealization (overcame that), somniphobia (been dealing with it for 2 years but comes and goes) but this new one has really messed me up and is actually debilitated me. So I was laying in my bed the thursday before last and read about this hockey player who suffered a cardiac arrest (survived and is recovering.), and then BOOM, like a gunshot I started obsessing over the thought of just dropping from a cardiac arrest and dying right then and there. It got so bad that I was literally checking my pulse every 30 seconds to a minute to make sure I was okay...and would get plunged into a panic attack.. last Wednesday it got so bad that I couldn't sleep..I literally paced around my house checking my pulse and having a panic attack for 8 hours straight, fearful that my imminent demise was coming. I eventually went to the ER that day, Got 2 EKGs and my blood pressure checked, AND some chest x Ray's...and I was FINE! NOTHING WRONG WITH ME, HEALTHY!! it soothed my mind for like the rest of the day..but the next day I went back to checking my pulse, obsessing over the thought that it could happen at any moment, and the fact that I'm aware of this, that I can happen...i hate this...its literally debilitated me, I cant work, I cant even work out, (I'm big into fitness) which originally helped me with my other anxietys and phobias. Everyone is like "go see a therapist" and trust me I would but I cant afford it AND dont have health insurance anyways...god bless america...anxiety has to be studied a lot more I believe...can someone please help me...can someone relate with this and tell me how they got out of it...please...all I do now is sit and play video games all day to distract myself...someone please...I hate...this...

[destinymichelle]

I wish that I could give you some good advice because I deal with this same exact thing!!!

[kickit]

Hi, all I can offer is empathy. I started my cardiac arrest fear when I was 17☹️ I’m now 56!! I worry about it always but it’s never happened, in fact a panic attack produces adrenaline- what do they give to get the heart started? Please don’t waste anymore of your precious life with this!

[The_Anxiety_War in reply to kickit]

I also have a fear of somewhat thinking myself into making it happen...

[kickit in reply to The_Anxiety_War]

Yep! Me too, and the fight or flight in us just makes us try to run away from the thoughts. But, that’s all they are, thoughts. Believe me I have been/get like you and now sometimes I just say f@&k you fear! Do one! It doesn’t work every time but it’s worth a go!

[UFC80]

I've been battling health anxiety also. Its torturous! Even worse is when i have had repeated tests done over the years and all are normal. I feel for you Friend 😐

[Nikkiox]

Can panic attack last that long? X

[The_Anxiety_War in reply to Nikkiox]

Pretty sure yeah..at least it did for me

[Nikkiox in reply to The_Anxiety_War]

I am so glad read this post thank you I do I do even feel shit for days what type sytoms do you have

[The_Anxiety_War in reply to Nikkiox]

You're average scary panic attack symptoms

[Nikkiox in reply to The_Anxiety_War]

Yeah what sytoms do you get with axinty please

[The_Anxiety_War in reply to Nikkiox]

Ohhh..well I will feel weak, legs will tremble, shortness of breath, a feeling of imminent doom, fear losing control, intrusive thoughts, I'm extreme cases, dizziness.

[Nikkiox in reply to The_Anxiety_War]

I have sweaty unreal feel thoughts awfull can’t sleep thinking won’t wake up

[Charbey in reply to The_Anxiety_War]

I've had all the same symptoms. Not fun. It was one minute one hour one day at a time for me.

[Hidden in reply to Nikkiox]

The actual act of the panic attack can’t last that long, our body can’t push adrenaline that long it’s meant to crash and go down every single time, but the after effects and emotional trauma after a panic attack can for sure last that long which is what I’m assuming you all are dealing with for those hours/days straight.

The after effects are just as scary and usually brings on another panic/anxiety attack ALMOST back to back. Flight or fight is triggered, then goes down but you still feel symptoms afterwards. I remember being in that constant loop as well and it sucks.

Anxiety can’t be cured since it’s built into our nervous system, it’s there for a reason, our anxiety is just over sensitive which is why it’s giving us problems. An over sensitive nervous system is 100% reversible, nobody has to live like this, it just takes some HARD WORK, therapy, reading and getting educated about what our anxiety is, once I read about what’s scientifically going on in our brains and body with an over sensitive nervous system it eventually starts making sense on why our body is doing it and it makes it easier to start working in a direction that will actually help instead of being in that anxiety filled loop.

There are plenty of Amazon books about how to overcome it, I’d start with a book called DARE by Barry Mcdonagh. Also look up some doctors on YouTube and educate yourself about your anxiety, a doctor called Dr Harry Barry, his videos are very very educating and helpful! Good luck everyone ❤️

[Nikkiox in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for this realy do appreciate it yes it so scarey I come around then bang comes back again it awfull like but I always think it not axinty because how long last for but I can see it does and can now ❤️

[Beevee]

Let the thoughts scream all they want and learn to let them go. It’s just anxiety. The thoughts are a by-product (excessive adrenalin finding an outlet) but kept alive because you give them the attention they need to survive. By letting the thoughts be there and having a passive attitude towards them, you take the steam out of them and they gradually fade away to nothing.

[Charbey]

Hi I've been there too. Mine all started 2 years ago. I became hypersensitive to EVERY THING with my body. Dr Google makes it worse. Anxiety and panic attacks are no joke. I agree with you there hasn't been enough studies on it. Also understand how you feel about health insurance. I have health insurance with a deductible and there was a lot of things that I couldn't afford but had to find a way to deal with it. So my opinion on top of dealing with anxiety and panic attacks when you're starting to reach out for help and because you can't afford the help now you're going to stress about that or what have you. Like you said God Bless America

[The_Anxiety_War in reply to Charbey]

How do you battle with the fear of it though? That's what I struggle with

[Beevee in reply to The_Anxiety_War]

You don’t battle it. Let yourself feel the fear. How can you get rid of something you are not prepared to feel? Think of it as excessive energy that wants and needs to be released. It’s part of the natural healing process but a lot of sufferers think it is getting worse so fight it. That’s why accepting how you think and feel and letting yourself fall into any state of emotion without resistance will eventually lead to recovery. I learnt this from reading Dr Ckaire Weekes’ books and a website called anxietynomore.co.uk and applied that knowledge. I changed my attitude towards the symptoms. Instead of being the enemy, I made friends with it and cracked on with my life.

[Beevee]

and think about changing your handle too because if you make war with anxiety, you will never win. The reason being, the war you are waging is with yourself. You are battling thoughts created by anxiety. An anxious brain creates anxious thoughts. You add more adrenalin by fighting with them, believing in them, instead of letting them be there and keep yourself trapped in the cycle. Give up the fight.

[Dogdoo]

I use an app on my phone called Head Space.

It has tons of great ways to relieve anxiety.

I've always been resistant to meditation and breathing exercises, but this app has short, guided meditations (3 minutes) that i actually really like.

Check out that app or something similar.

It will help with coping strategies and ways to gain control over your anxiety.

Sucks you can't see a therapist but this might help a little. And a little relief goes a long way.

[marsbarr]

Yes I know that feeling

[Frenchbulldogsx]

I suffer with anxiety thinking that I am going to have another heart attack.. Yes my anxiety is founded.... Yours isn't....

I have had 2 heart attacks yours is not real....

You need to concentrate on doing other things, exercise is good.

[Rhea11]

Sorry about all that .. the only thing that helped me with coping my anxiety was reading {in the 1970's} Dr Claire Weekes books. She is/was amazing. Helped me more than all other therapies. She made tapes to listen to .. and they're on YouTube. I am now 74 years old and still sensitive and somewhat anxious .. so every now and then I pick up her book or listen to some of her tapes; it helps, if only to get through the day. Just type her name and all the talks come up. I'm sure it will help you too. Go for it and be well --- with luv from the Netherlands.

[Funkyfaerie]

Listen to Dr Joe Dispenza on YouTube.

His talks on changing your mindset and he dies some different meditations too.

Worth checking out!

[Funkyfaerie]

Does!!

[libbynmike]

What helps me is listening to anxiety relief videos on YouTube. And also knowing the fact that "just because I'm thinking, it doesn't mean it's real". I'm really big into believing this is all in our head, so once you realize that, then you develop tools and ways to become stronger than your thoughts. Try accepting its anxiety rather than trying to fight it. IMO playing video games all day is only helping you avoid dealing with this rather than helping you.

[Beevee in reply to libbynmike]

If you are like I used to be, anxious thoughts would come uninvited, causing me to recoil and adding more fear. The force of these thoughts would be so strong, I could not help myself and gave them the respect they commanded. It took me a while to see through those thoughts and realise that they were not based on reality but just a figment on an overly anxious mind. I learned to let them come, observe them and then let them go. I took away their power to shock and they just faded away.

[Moknows1961]

The problem is, what works for one person...may not for the other. Get lots of exercise and eat green leafy vegs. Stay off the video games if you can...that may inadvertently mess you up more. I am working through a notebook that I ordered online. It is actually helping...tiny baby steps... are you on meds right now? I missed that part if you said it. I will get you the address for the notebook activities. I am at work and dont have it with me at the moment.

I am so sorry you have to deal with this. I havent had it as bad as your descriptions but have dealt with it for 30 years....ughhh hate it hate it hate it

[Beevee in reply to Moknows1961]

Many anxiety sufferers don’t have any particular problem other than being afraid of the symptoms of anxiety such as racing heart, palpitations, intrusive thoughts etc. Through constant introspection, the nerves that control the emotions become sensitised, magnifying those emotions tenfold. Sufferers literally become afraid of their own shadow, withdrawing from a normal life.

I learnt that the only way to reverse that process was to meet anxiety head on and accept whatever it could throw at me. I avoided nothing and kept on going, regardless how I felt. The only thing I changed was my attitude towards the symptoms. If anxiety tried to stop me doing things that I used to enjoy doing, I did them anyway. Slowly but surely, the symptoms faded away.

Somebody posted on here recently asking about quotes. I have two that still resonate.

1. Feel the fear and do it anyway.

2. You won’t get better until you stop trying to get better.

For normal thoughts and feelings to return, you have to carry on doing normal things, taking the anxiety with you. The brain will eventually cotton on to the fact that your actions don’t pose a threat and will tone down its response and stop pumping your body full of adrenalin and cortisol, preparing you to fight, flee or hide. As for recovering, people stayed trapped in the vicious cycle because they spend all their time trying to think and feel differently. It is only when they stop trying to rid themselves of anxiety, the mind and body can begin the natural healing process. Sensitised nerves become desensitised and the ability to cope with normal everyday situations increases leaving peace of mind and body. Resilience is restored and you get your life back.

[Moknows1961 in reply to Beevee]

Agreed

[kickit in reply to Beevee]

Such good advice and so knowledgeable. A quote from me:

Take control of your choice- don’t give fear a voice.

[Tink3rb3ll1972]

Please try an app called DARE it will help you with your panic and also explain about intrusive thoughts it’s a free app but you can pay a subscription if you want to listen to more settings and audios, it’s helped me calm down also you can find lots of relaxation videos and self hypnosis on YouTube you need to try and accept the thoughts as just thoughts breathe slowly and try and engage in something else, it’s just your mind panicking then you’re going into fight or flight which gives you all these awful sensations hope you get some peace soon

[Gill1970]

I can relate totally.

I have severe panic disorder with derealization as a the major symptom. Fear of dying is insane right now. I am getting agoraphobia not wanting to go outside. I don't feel comfortable.

I am on meds but hesitant to take my benzos. Trying to do get through this without but I am so tired and lost.

I know how it feels. 🙏