[jakie0406]

Well I guess I do have anxiety. Well that's what my counselor said.
I think she's right though.
Sometimes my chest hurts really bad... so bad I think i'm having a heart attack. Then I feel like i'm on fire and it burns, then I feel like i have to go to the bathroom. Then I get up really quick and it's gone. Is that really an anxiety attack? If it is I don't want them to get any worse. They can get worse right?? Ughh I have no idea about this stuff. It really scares me.

[Rhiannonsmoon]

Hello jakie,

Chest pains can be anxiety based that's true. I've also had terrible pain around and through my rib cage, which can be nerves being trapped as the ribs tighten up.

I haven't had the other issue though that doesn't mean it isn't something other sufferers have. If I have to go then I have to go no matter what..I've never had that sensation go away.

I don't know that counsellors are able to diagnose maybe you should ask your doctor. I do hope you feel better soon either way

[smackcookies]

I have it as well. Hopefully you can try an SSRI or something. It has helped me greatly.

[owen2110]

I have it as well, I get butterflies in my stomach, then I get dizzy and have to hold on to something so I don't fall down.

Meds help a lot, see a doc, I waited a long time thinking it was just stress and it would pass.......

[ladylazarus]

I have severe anxiety and it sounds like that's what you may be experiencing. I would definitely see a doctor to be diagnosed because if it is anxiety he/she can help you.

I wish you luck and love dealing with this

[Perna]

Have you been to the doctor and had a physical lately to make sure it's not something physically wrong? The "getting up and it's gone" thing makes me think it could maybe have a physical component, maybe the burning too.

[Nupoet64]

I have terrible anxiety attacks. I get dizzy, chest pain, hard to breath, shakey, suddenly feel like i need to go to the bathroom, cannot focus, hot flashes in my face, terrible pain in my stomach, and feel like i cannot stand and need to lay down. I break out in a cold sweat. And I feel like everyone is looking at me and I feel embarrassed.
This happens almost everytime I leave my house. Sometimes when I step outside in my yard...
But ALWAYS in crowded places.

[ECHOES]

It is important to notice what you are thinking when this happens.
Anxiety is simply a physical reaction to real or perceived danger.
Our thoughts can create the response. Noticing our thoughts when the anxiety begins is a gift to understanding what is happening within us.

A simple example would be thinking about a job interview the next day. Nothing dangerous or fearful is happening at the moment, just the thought. But the thought can create the emotional response of fear or of wanting to flee (avoid the stress of the job interview) or anger (about having to look for a job, or having lost a job, etc). The instantaneous emotional response creates the anxiety. Learning in your therapy about yourself and your fears that begin the anxiety/panic response helps so much. It lessens, and can eliminate, the anxiety response when you understand how and why it gets triggered. You can then discover other responses: curiosity, intrigue, wanting to know more, looking forward to the challenge, familiarity ("Oh, this? I've done this before. It will be okay.").

Regular use of breathing exercises and guided imagery and relaxation techniques is very helpful to keep your body calm so that when anxiety comes along, it has less impact because it is coming along to a calm physcial and mental state of mind. If something anxiety-provoking comes along when we are already stressed, we go from an 8 to a 10 on a stress scale of 1-10. If something anxiety-provoking comes along and we are calm, then we might go from a 3 to a 5 on that scale. You can see the difference and relate that to how uncomfortable/comfortable it would feel.

Keep learning All of life is for learning!

[jakie0406]

Thank you all. I have to go to my doctors for a depression med. checkup soon anyway so ill talk to him about it then. Thank you for the support!