[unjollyrodger]

Hi everyone. I'm new here, 10 years worth of anxiety and panic attacks now. You would thin after that long I would be use to it by now but unfortunately im not.
My anxiety is brought on by many things. Thinking about the current state of the US and the world in general seems to do the trick. Any kinda of alcohol does a good job also. However the biggest culprit is just random body pains.

Like right now I am having another wonderful anxiety attack, trying to keep it from going full blown panic), all because my left shoulderblade has a sharp pain in it. Any kinda of pain I have I automatically think I am having a heart attack, stroke, or about to have a blood clot travel to my brain. I know I am not (or atleast I hope) however I cant get the thought out of my head. That what if I actually am this time. I had a full work up at the doctor. Ekg, stress test, body scan for clots. They told me I was perfectly healthy. Dont have high blood pressure or high cholesterol but my brain still instantly goes to heart attack.

As soon as my brain says heart attack my panic kicks in and then more symptoms start. The headaches, chest pains, arm numbness, jaw pain. this jut makes it worse. Does anyone else have the same problem?

[allme]

Hi

There are no rules telling us how long it should take us to work out mental health issues, so please don't feel down on yourself about that. Actually look at the positive and see what a big step it is to talk about it and admit what's really going on.

My hubby suffers with a lot of pain as a result of an old injury so I have some kind of understanding of how debilitating it can be. My only advice on that is to seek 'pain management' via therapy.

I don't fully know how far your understanding has come about anxiety and panic attacks...but firstly, you need to recognise that the fear and threat you feel isn't real or at least isn't in proportion with what is actually happening. You said you think you know...but really, for it to make a difference, you need to actually believe nothing is wrong. Which is why I am glad you had those tests done. So now, we know, there is nothing medically wrong with you or that puts in in any immediate danger. The best thing is to keep telling yourself that while it is happening....well this works for me anyway. Every time you have a panic attack and nothing major happened, ie a heart attack, you can reinforce the truth in that next time it happens.

I am sounding like a broken record tonight, but at the core of it, you need to work on your beliefs and understand your fears for what they are.

I am a great believer in CBT and think it works wonders for problems with anxiety and panic.

[Jolisse]

Anxiety and panic can cause physical pain, especially what you've described.
Chest pain, headaches, tingling and jaw pain happen when I'm having anxiety. There have been many times I felt like I was dying. It's your body's flight or fight response to your anxiety. Are you seeing a therapist and/or on medication?