Agoraphobia & Social Anxiety Support Group
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder, often precipitated by the fear of having a panic attack in a setting from which there is no easy means of escape. As a result, sufferers of agoraphobia may avoid public and/or unfamiliar places. In severe cases, the sufferer may become confined to their home, experiencing difficulty traveling from this "safe place."
HI everyone,
I am new to this group. I have posted some things in other groups relating to Anxiety and panic. I have a history of health anxiety, have been to many specialists in the last year (Cardiologist, Neurologist, Dermatologist, Oncologist, GI Specialist, Primary Doctor, Therapist, etc). It started with heart palpitations, then moved to chest pain, then head pressure, then a mole on my skin, then heart burn, stomach burning, all to find out that there is nothing wrong with me. I am back on a feeling of cheset pain for the last 2 months now on and off. I go to therapy biweekly and she has given me tools to remind me that this is all anxiety. I had some recent changes in life (positive changes), i got engaged and am planning a wedding. However, the chest pains are getting so out of control that I am afraid to do anything. I'm afraid to work out, I'm afraid to eat the slightly unhealthiest piece of food, I'm afraid of being alone or driving in case something happens to me and no one is around. I am in a constant worry that I am going to fall over of a heart attack. I still work out 3-4 times a week because the cardiologist said I am healthy and I try to remind myself of that, but its a process getting myself to go there. I went to the cardiologist 1.5 year ago, and am worried that since then, my heart is not healthy. He ran an EKG, Echo, stress test, and 48 hr heart monitor. Since then I have been to the ER 3 times, PAtient First once, and my primary doctor once. They all told me i'm healthy. How do you get through this fear of not wanting to do anything you love? its really weighing me down...I have been told to just "accept" that this is anxiety and it will eventually subside, but its so hard to do with such physical symptoms.
Does anyone have any suggestions at all on how to push through this and not be afraid of certain situations? I am 28 years old, have a great job, great fiance, great family and friends/support system, I just want to feel myself again.