Panic Attacks Support Group
A panic attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort, typically with an abrupt onset and usually lasting no more than thirty minutes. Symptoms include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation, and sensations of choking or smothering. Panic attacks can be very sudden, appear to be unprovoked, and are often...
I have major issues with getting my blood pressure taken and have actually developed a phobia about it, for which I am seeing a therapist. I have to visit my onocologist for results of labwork and scans that I had last Thurs. (10 yr. breast cancer survivor).
I developed this phobia several mos. ago when I saw my eye doctor (yes, eye doctor!) who wanted to send me straight to the ER when he saw how high my reading was. I told him I suffer from panic attacks and white coat syndrome and that it is always high when taken at the dr.s office. He seemed ok with that explanation but ever since that visit, I have become so terrified that I cannot even take my blood pressure reading with the home monitor I have!!!!
I do take BP meds, but how will anyone ever get an accurate reading when I am so hyped up? Just thinking about that appt. tomorrow is making me shake as I type this.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!
I developed this phobia several mos. ago when I saw my eye doctor (yes, eye doctor!) who wanted to send me straight to the ER when he saw how high my reading was. I told him I suffer from panic attacks and white coat syndrome and that it is always high when taken at the dr.s office. He seemed ok with that explanation but ever since that visit, I have become so terrified that I cannot even take my blood pressure reading with the home monitor I have!!!!
I do take BP meds, but how will anyone ever get an accurate reading when I am so hyped up? Just thinking about that appt. tomorrow is making me shake as I type this.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!
Don't focus on what the result is or isn't. Just have it around your arm.
Your heart may pound. You may feel uncomfortable as hell.
That is ok. Just breathe and keep the thing over your arm.
pretty soon you will calm down because you will simply get....bored.
Your body figures out that nothing is actually happening. it takes a little while but keep at it.