Re: pb's Health anxiety worries thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by
NoraB
Hi pb, I feel for you, I really do. Health anxiety took me into a nervous breakdown - and the mind will take you to places you don't ever want to be, trust me. I was like you - hyper focused on every symptom and mistaking the normal functioning of my body to be something life threatening. It was my life for years. I got myself out of this hole by using CBT, learning to breathe properly, educating myself about the stress response (and how normal it is) tweaking my lifestyle and diet, and most importantly, realising that the only time in my life that I was genuinely in trouble (emergency c section due to internal bleeding) I wasn't scared at all. Coming on here asking people what they think is wrong with you might give you a few seconds of comfort, but you're on a spinning wheel my friend, and it's exhausting you. This week it's your chest - one of the most common complaints with anxiety. I was 100% convinced my heart was failing - it certainly felt like it - yet every test I ever had said otherwise. Your body is responding to the thoughts in your head. It's firing out those stress hormones because your brain doesn't know the difference between what's real and what's a thought - your body tenses with the anxiety and this creates painful muscles. Ball your hand into a fist and hold it, and hold it, and hold it. This is what you're doing with your entire body. Understanding how the body works will help you and once you understand how the simple act of breathing deeply (from your abdomen) signals to the brain to stand the fight of flight response down. It's a physical thing, and it works. I won't lie - recovery takes time and a LOT of effort on your part, but nobody can do this for you. It had to be a mental decision on your part that you want to get better, and then you find what works for you and you keep doing it until the time comes when you know you're on the way back. A little tip: when I was at my very worst and sitting up at 3am in the morning - I used to come on here and other forums - checking to see who had the same symptoms as me - then one day I decided to look at the success stories instead and reading the posts of people who had been every bit as ill as me, and had come out the other side. I am very sorry that you're struggling, but there is a way out of this if you are willing to help yourself out.
Wonderful post, Nora....and so very true. You have done so well! This sounds like a platitude but i know how hard it is to get a grip on HA and it's not by coming on here posting symptoms and looking for responses.
Re: pb's Health anxiety worries thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pulisa
I have to stretch my chest muscles and upper back a lot during the day to manage my pain. I see it as an inconvenience rather than a big deal. You could research online about stretches and pain from taut muscles.
You have a big void in your life which you are filling with HA and rumination.It's hard to see a way forward when you are lonely and isolated. My son is under the community mental health team and sees an occupational therapist to help him plan activities to support his MH..I wonder whether you would consider anything like this if you could get a referral from the psychiatrist? OTs are part of the community mental health service. It's just a thought and you may not want this xx
Thank you, I think this would be a good idea x
Re: pb's Health anxiety worries thread
I've had constant chest and upper back pain for nearly 3 years. It happens but it's benign. I don't worry about it now. I did but got past that. I have huge responsibilities in my life and no time to ruminate and that helps me so much xx
Re: pb's Health anxiety worries thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pb
If it’s my heart I just want to die now.
As someone who has heart disease, survived two heart attacks, triple bypass and stents and takes several medications for my heart, I have no words :lac:
FMP
Re: pb's Health anxiety worries thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Fishmanpa
As someone who has heart disease, survived two heart attacks, triple bypass and stents and takes several medications for my heart, I have no words :lac:
FMP
I am getting chest spasms since yesterday, no one believes me..
Re: Ear, tooth and jaw pain
We believe you but you have had chest spasms regularly and have been ok. Are these different? Have you tried a painkiller? Have you tried a warm bath? A walk?
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Re: pb's Health anxiety worries thread
Even just some stretches. We believe you, there's just absolutely no evidence that these are a big deal.
Re: pb's Health anxiety worries thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pb
I am getting chest spasms since yesterday, no one believes me..
Have you tried ignoring them?
Re: pb's Health anxiety worries thread
Had ecg at health centre this afternoon, gp had given me a form because of palpitations.
Ecg was normal, but cardiologist had put st sagging.
The girl who did the ecg tried to reassure me that my heart was normal, and this was probably because of the medication, but I’m really worried.
Getting lots of pain in the centre of my chest feels tender and hurts when I move.
Re: Ear, tooth and jaw pain
So how many ecgs have you had this year pb and when are you going to believe that despite your anxiety it is fine? It’s your mental health that is the problem and not the physical.
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