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...

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The what if catasrophies...

ohm112616
ohm112616

Hi again. I posted something a few days ago about chest pain and panic. I am going to Cancun Mexico with my fiance in two weeks and am freaking out. Im still obsessing that the chest pains are my heart or something serious and now am afraid to fly in case something happens to me on the plane (heart attack or blood clot or something) mid air. I know this it not logical thinking and Im trying so hard to remind myself that I am healthy and ok.


How do you all deal with the catostrophic thinking? I just want to enjoy the trip with no what if thoughts. I feel like this is a constant battle with myself. I just had a full check up 2 months ago, EKG, full blood panel, etc. I need to accept that this is anxiety and I will be perfectly fine on my trip, but cant.


Any insight would help!!

SilentWhispr
SilentWhispr
hi,
What you are experiencing is obsessive thinking which is leading to all the other snowball affect of thoughts, fears. My dr. put me on Prozac which stopped my obsessive thoughts so that I could live without the unrealistic thoughts I was experiencing that were actually crippling me so that I could not enjoy life. This medication has been a God send. Having the check-ups and all you do won't change the thinking because it's a disorder. It's OCD. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. You are having Obsessive thoughts and the more you try to make them go away...the worse they become. I don't know if you've seen a therapist or just your general Pdoc, but either one should be able to give you some help. There are millions of people out there that suffer some sort of OCD. It's a very common "issue" to have. Call and get some help so you can enjoy your trip. You deserve some peace.
lijie218
lijie218
I can't get rid of the thoughts either. I have thought I have developed hypochondria, but maybe it is OCD. I've had a bunch of tests with good results, but there is heart disease history in my family, so every chest pain, shoulder pain, soreness in my arm, back or jaw- my mind goes back to that scary place where I think I might be about to have a heart attack. I just started taking a low dose of Ativan to take the edge off the panic- which has been helping. But I've been told that meditation and thought stopping is really important for me to stop obsessing about this. Definitely talk to your doctor/therapist about getting some extra help.
SeekingSerenity
SeekingSerenity
I went to visit my psychiatrist about the constant panic attacks, anxiety and chest pains. He prescribed Clonazepam, a very low dose .05 mg. I started it a week ago. Major difference! It keeps me calm, doesn't make me sleepy. Have you tried this Medication? Maybe you can ask your Dr about it. I've been able to get out more than I have in weeks. The panic and scary thoughts have subsided a little. Hope you get the relief you need to get you through that flight. Have a cocktail or 2 before you board the plane to help relax. This might help ease the nerves. Last year I traveled and I took my xanax with me and took one before we boarded the plane. It seemed to relax. Take your headphones and listen to relaxing music or anxiety and panic help videos to help distract you. Wish you the best!!! Enjoy you trip!