Obsessive Worrying- heart attack please help :(

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brittneyyy
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Jan 18, 2010 2:35 pm
Location: Mitten State

Obsessive Worrying- heart attack please help :(

Post by brittneyyy » Fri Mar 01, 2013 2:33 am


Hey Everyone!

About a month ago I was having a great day at work when I experienced the sharpest, most painful chest pain ever. It was all of a sudden. I then started having a panic attack because I was scared of this feeling. I am 23 years old and in pretty good shape, so I didn't think I had to worry about having a heart attack.

I tried to let it go and avoid going to the "ER". My chest pain kept coming and going for days after the incident. Some days I would be okay, and others the chest pain was there. I kept having anxiety about it. Finally, two weeks later I decided to go to the ER because I was experiencing the pain and also feeling short of breath. I was in tears because it was feeling so real and I was afraid of losing my life so young.

My dad took me to the hospital and they did an EKG and chest x ray. They said everything was fine. My mind rested for a couple of days, but I couldn't stop obsessing over my chest/breathing/pulse when the pain kept coming back. I would time my heart rate, and obsess about my arm/neck/shoulder and worry if I had pain.


I went to my reg doc for a check up and they did another ekg to make sure I was okay. She said it was fine. My doctor started telling me allll of the symptoms women have when they have a heart attack. Ever since then I can't stop thinking of what she said and I often feel those symptoms. I also get heart palpitations.

Even though two doctors said my heart is fine, I can't stop obsessing over it. I am even worried to go to the gym. I don't know how to get over this awful feeling.

Can anyone help :(

coach21
Posts: 65
Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2011 2:01 pm

Re: Obsessive Worrying- heart attack please help :(

Post by coach21 » Sun Mar 03, 2013 2:11 pm

Hi brittneyy,

Wow. Reading your post took me back to when I first came into the program struggling from the exact symptoms of anxiety of which you described. I too used to repeatedly rush myself to the ER complaining of chest pains only to be told it was anxiety. I would get a heart palpitations and bombard myself with irrational what if's i.e. "I'm having a heart attack" "I can't breath" "Whaf I die!" ,ect.. Because we were created in that a feeling follows a thought, these thoughts would create alot of anxiety. It was the belief in these thoughts that were the source of my anxiety. Part of recovery starts with responding to these thoughts with reality supported by facts.I also went to numerous physicains and a heart specialist to get the "green light" and confirm it was only anxiety. After that I found this program and a good therapist. I began to learn about anxiety and apply what I was learning. I would first eliminate all stimulants and practice the relaxation tape. Do this program at a comfortable pace and a great complimentary read is THE FEELING GOOD HANDBOOK by Dr. David Burns. E-mail me anytime brittneyy. I have alot of information and resources to share. God Bless and keep pressing forward.

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