Overcoming Fears

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bubbapooky
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Bubbapooky

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I really do not know where to start - but my biggest fear is always that I am having a heart attack... I went to the ER Saturday and they did an EKG, Blood Work and chest x-ray and everything was fine. I felt good for 2 days (Sunday and Monday) and then started having some anxiety Tuesday - now today my chest is hurting and I do not feel well. Go Figure. I am on Paxil CR 25 mg (49 days now) and Xanex 1/2 of a .25 mg tablet in the morning. I can take them more - but have been trying to only take the one each morning. I finally saw a therapist last week and he is one of the reasons that I ended up in ER. He told me that you should not ignore your symptoms because he had a patient that really had a heart problem - talk about just feeding into my anxiety. I had everything under control for about 4 years when my PCP decided to try me without my meRAB. That was in May - by June I was filled with anxiety and panic. Now the paxil does not seem to be working as well.

Has anyone else gone through the fear of heart attack and how did you ever move past it?

Thanks so much for listening.
 
I found out that I had a Hiatal Hernia,in my chest, that mimiced a heart attack.I would take a "TUMS" or two,for relief.For a time, tuna mayo would give me an "attack".Also tomato sauces,and other acidic sources. Good luck Bill (P.S.) I take Paxil,controlled release only.The regular Paxil did nothing for me.
 
What if you DID have an actual heart attack, then what? If it happens, it happens.

Next time you get that feeling (the imagined one) FEEL it fully, accept it. Observe your sensations but do not react to them and just see where they take you.

You feed your anxiety by giving in to it and by resisting it. Let it take you over so you can weaken it.

AfterwarRAB, write down exactly in great detail what happens moment to moment during one of your "episodes" of feeling like you are having a heart attack. Notice a pattern?

Then next time anticipate the pattern and observe it.

These things will help you realize that it is anxiety and not reality. Gradually the anxiety will diminish.
 
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