Feeling traumatised and frightened.

[Familyfirst1]

On the 30th of September without previous signs and symptoms I had a cardiac arrest. I am finding the whole experience very difficult to come to terms with and to understand. I feel frightened and depressed. My cardiac nurse is fantastic and says that she will refer me to a clinical psychologist if I wish. Wondering what peoples views are on this please.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello Familyfirst1

Welcome to the forum.

It is absolutely okay to feel bewildered, frightened and anxious after your recent experience.

Many people find the support of a clinical psychologist very important to help them heal mentally from their trauma.

If you are not sure perhaps just go for a few sessions before you decide whether it's the right thing for you.

There are other forum members who have also experienced a Cardiac arrest and I am sure they will be along to share their experiences with you soon.

My brother in law survived an out of hospital cardiac arrest a few years ago in front of his very young son.

It certainly affected us all as a family.

There is a support group which you may helpful.

suddencardiacarrestuk.org/

[Familyfirst1 in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you . I will take a look at the link.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

As the above. All good advice. You’ve been through such a very traumatic time.

Only one additional thought. Such a sudden life changing event like a Cardiac Arrest can cause PTSD. There are Clinical Psychologists who specialise in Health Psychology, and also in PTSD.

[Familyfirst1 in reply to Kristin1812]

Thank you I will ask the nurse to make the referral.

[BeaVerGal]

The same thing happened to me in 2013. Know that that this pass. You will start to feel more confident , but I admit , it’s a shock when it happens . You feel vulnerable and unsafe . You will negotiate your way around the new you . I had an ICD fitted and was unable to drive for several months . But you know what ? I coped. I had to deal with a new normal . The thing is you do. It’s just an adjustment . I joined a cardiac rehab exercise class that helped me to regain confidence in my body and myself . You’re not as fragile as you think .... it’s the initial shock that you’re body let you down . Like all things . This feeling will pass as the days go by and you realise you’ll be ok. If you get an ICD it’s you’re new guardian angel. If you’re heart goes out of rhythm it will shock it back into pace

Guess what ? You’re luckier than you know though it may not feel like it now, many people do not survive a cardiac arrest as usually no one is around to help or they can’t administer CPR . Do. count your blessings . I am proof.. it gets better . You will get better and feel better. As in all things .... it’s just a matter of time

[Familyfirst1 in reply to BeaVerGal]

I feel exactly like you say. Im 63 and I'm a nurse and thought I was physically fit. No high blood pressure or anything. Hard to come to terms with. Thank you for your advice.

[Tullymore]

What you had was a warning. Now that you know, there is so much can be done. Huge advances in all heart problems means you can feel safe. I had a triple Bypass without any warning and feel relieved they found the problem

[Familyfirst1 in reply to Tullymore]

Thank you.

[Driver11]

Hi I had mine on September 3rd 2018, completely out of the. blue. I was in a coma for 2 weeks in intensive care and then a further week in a high dependency ward. I had an ICD fitted and went home. It does take a long time to come to terms with the fact that you survived, I think the rate is 6 to 8 %

That said you are still alive and that is something to be cheerful about. You have to look at all the good things and try to keep a positive attitude, not always easy but you do have second chance so grab the opportunity

Good luck

[Familyfirst1 in reply to Driver11]

Thank you and will do.

[jowalk6]

Hi hun the same thing happened to me in 2014. It is normal to feel this way. I didn't deal with it when I came home I tried pushing it away but it all hit me and I wish I'd dealt with it earlier. Its okay not to be okay. Your body and mind has gone through a lot. You could try seeing the psychologist it does help. I also did CBT therapy and then EMDR therapy, it really did help. Just take it at your pace what you feel comfortable with. I am thankful every day that I am still here. You will get there hun, just allow yourself the time. Take care x

[Familyfirst1 in reply to jowalk6]

Thank you I'm feeling better through talking to people on here.

[Qualipop in reply to jowalk6]

What is EMDR please?

[jowalk6 in reply to Qualipop]

It is eye movement desensitisation

[Qualipop in reply to jowalk6]

Thanks; hadn't heard of it. Did it help?

[jowalk6 in reply to Qualipop]

It did. Its very intense and gets harder before it gets better but it's worth it

[Qualipop in reply to jowalk6]

Good to hear. Thanks

[Tessie28]

Grab any help you can especially as it is such a horrible time as well. I don't know about HAs but am 8 months post open heart surgery. The mental part is harder than the physical, it is all a horrible shock to the system. But it will pass. Good luck x

[Familyfirst1 in reply to Tessie28]

Thank you and will do.

[istimewa]

A clinical psychologist would be helpful to navigate your way through your feelings coming to terms with the sudden cardiac arrest, fear, anxiety, anger, denial and depression. I found help through such a psychologist after my mind could not accept suddenly being told I have severe coronary artery disease (and must immediately proceed to have stents fitted without delay) when I never had angina, chest pains, indigestion symptoms, breathlessness or any of the signs/symptoms of heart disease at all. My psychologist practiced a combination of CBT and counselling techniques to help me come to terms with my 'new' circumstances, acceptance that I must take daily multiple heart drugs (some lifelong) when I previously never took so much as the odd paracetamol. Basically, besides the heart problem (which the cardiologist was managing) there was also the mental trauma which needs to be managed (with the help of a psychologist). There are 2 problems to sort through at the same time.

I hope you will give it a try, the psychologist. If you're still unsure, just try a couple meetings and judge for yourself whether the meetings are useful for how you feel. You don't have to sign a legal contract to complete X number of therapy meetings, so if you don't feel the first few meetings help you, you are at liberty to stop going. Sometimes, only the right (compatible) psychologist works out for an individual. Best of luck!

[Familyfirst1 in reply to istimewa]

I will see the psychologist. I am experiencing all of what you did. Thanks for the advice.

[Qualipop in reply to istimewa]

Totally agree and remember if one psycholgist doesn't suit you or you don't get on with them, you CAN ask to change. I was once sent for CBT with a girl who was far younger than my son. I Just couldn't relate to her at all so I asked for someone more mature. It wasn't her, it was just her age. With another one I ended up teaching her about the problems of living with chronic excruciating pain for 30 years. You can't just relate to anyone. You need the right person.

[Petercat1]

I had a dissected aorta which resulted in an emergency open heart operation back in April 2017. This was a life threatening condition and operation, and I was very lucky to survive. Psychologically I found this extremely hard to come to terms with, although physically I healed very well and quickly.

I do so understand how you are feeling as for me, as I looked to be recovering well outwardly, all who saw me were saying 'well you survived so you are so lucky - just get over it now, it's over now', in my head it left me extremely frightened for my mortality. I too had absolutely no symptoms prior to the dissection happening!

It took me at least a year to get back to mentally feeling a lot better, although it's always with me.

It does shake you up as it makes you face up to your mortality, but truly it does get easier with time.

Good luck.

[Familyfirst1 in reply to Petercat1]

Glad your feeling better and thank you.

[playcards]

I just want to send you all my best wishes. I am over 2 years on from my cardiac arrest. I am so grateful for all the medical support along the way and I just want to tell you not to lose sight of the fact that life, although a bit of a roller coaster sometimes, is so good!

[Familyfirst1 in reply to playcards]

Thank you.

[Qualipop]

Absolutely go for it. It's a massive massive shock and you'e feelings are perfectly normal. Ring teh nurse whenever you need to and take up he offe r. I wish I'd hadthe chance. Cardiac rehab is a massive help but unfortunately not happening face to face right now. I desperately needed to see and talk to others who had had the same just to show me you can get through it

[Familyfirst1 in reply to Qualipop]

Will do yes it's hard at the min like you say with all that's going on.

[Qualipop in reply to Familyfirst1]

Well I wasn't allowed cardiac rehab because I'm in a wheelchair and they decided the gym work wouldn't be possible for me but what I really needed was to TRY. To try to do a bit more with a qualified nurse present just to be sure I didn't do too much or in case anything went wrong - which it wouldn't have of course- and to be able to speak to people who had also had heart attacks and get the reassurance that they were doing well and that it was safe to do things. You will be given exercises but not the face to face so use that nurse to reassure you. Look at it this way. You didn't just have a heart attack. You had a cardiac arrest and YOU SURVIVED and the treatment you got means you are now in a better and safer place than you were before it happened. I assume you had stents and are now on medication that will help ensure it doesn't happen again. It may have caused some damage but you got a second chance. Enjoy it. Side effects of tablets can also make you feel rotten so don't put up with them. If you think a particular one is bad, talk to your GP and get it changed. There are plenty of alternatives. It is terrifying to suddenly be faced with your own mortality and realise our lives will one day come to an end but thanks to the treatment you got., that, hopefully won't be for a long time now. Follow the advice, change your diet if you need to, lose weight if you need to, do the exercise that's advised. There are survivors on here running half marathons; living great lives. And do talk to that psychologist. They can help you put it all into persepctive. Good luck.

[Familyfirst1]

Thank you and I agree with what you say about questioning your own mortality. My daughter was with me at the time and started CPR. We are all traumatised.

[Petercat1]

I found the Cardiac rehab people at the hospital were good. They understand and you can talk to them about what you're going through. I even broke down in tears in a rehab class, it made me feel that bad, but they were brilliant and let me talk it out.

I found that anyone that hadn't been through a life threatening episode, never understood. They told me that because I'd had the op it was all better now so didn't know why I was so depressed about it!

[David_Sheppard]

Hi, lots of good advice here... the physical recovery is one thing but the mental recovery is another. They are both battles you need to overcome, and you WILL overcome my friend - whether that’s with the help of websites, experts, friends and family support etc, you will find a way I am sure... but you will have some highs and lows. I can only speak for myself but when I was alone with my thoughts late at night I often got scared. Your mind wanders to all sorts of dark places, but I found the greatest comfort and healer for me was our Lord Jesus, who through prayer lifted me back up and gave me new life. I respect that not everyone has that spiritual need but I can promise you that He is there for you if you call on Him. Good luck in your recovery!

[Familyfirst1 in reply to David_Sheppard]

I'm the same at night my mind working overtime. Good luck and thank you for the advice.

[Heartinthehills]

Lots of advice given already but can't see anyone yet suggesting this support group suddencardiacarrestuk.org . I met a few members of this group at a Cardiac Arrest workshop run by BHF and would recommend getting in touch with them. The website is very extensive, gives many personal stories and offers advice and areas for support. My cardiac arrest followed an MI so was not without obvious cause and less of a continued worry to me. I have one acquaintance who had your experience and like many others in the same situation the psychological consequences are still with him. Previous advice on seeing the clinical psychologist and trying therapy are sound. I was practicing CBT whilst waiting for assistance during my MI and it worked then and afterwards for me. I hope you find some useful support from the group link above.

[Familyfirst1 in reply to Heartinthehills]

Thank you. I have looked at the link and it looks very helpful.