Stress Center Peer Support

Hi everyone! I am new and have been reading all the posts and am so glad that I am not alone and can relate to a lot of your posts. I have been debating getting the program because just reading and being able to relate to some seems to put me at ease. I had my 1st panic attack when I was about 12 I walked into the store with my mom and my heart started racing, I felt faint everything got bright and loud and I freaked out. I have had them here and there since then and have always been a worrier and think of the bad that can happen in any situation. I am a stay at home mom with 4 kids and can see myself in my 7 year old as well; she is ALWAYS worried about something.
Six years ago my mother in law had a brain aneurysm and it scared me to death, I was convinced that I would have one too but not make it through, I would not drive anywhere and would not go with my husband to visit his mom because I was sooo scared. I went to the doctor on weekly basics and they did CAT scans, pills and everything and finally told me I had anxiety and put me on some meds. I did not want to have to take a pill to feel normal so I got off them and finally started feeling better 6 mos to a year later and have been fine until now.
This past Christmas I was cleaning out a closet in my house and my heart started racing and it seemed it wouldn't stop, but freaking out didn't help either.I guess until now I did not relate it to a panic attack Ever since theN I have felt my heart flutter daily so I let this go on for a month or two before going to the doctor, everything checked out fine but I was still scared my heart was giving out or something, the drew my blood, did an EKG, and a heart monitor and everything’s good.
I'm not too worried about my heart now but about a month ago I lost my appetite and could not eat food only drinks for like a week and a half and lost 7 pounds and started freaking out something was wrong with my stomach, like stomach cancer so I went to the doctor 2-3 times for that and finally everythings ok again but I think all the worry about put me into a hole of anxiety. My friend did not help by saying maybe you have a blockage and they would have to do surgery, OMG So now I have my appetite back but am still worried for no reason. I wake up and feel nervous and unless I get busy right away I stay that way all day. My main symptoms have been jaw tightness, tight/nervous stomach, dizziness, non reality feeling which bothers me the most. Sorry to write so much but talking about seems to help as you all know. I think I am going to try and talk to people here for a week or two and see if that helps the fogginess go away and if not maybe I will buy the program. Thanks for listening and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and take care. Bobbie

What you need to do is relax and know you're mind is thinking unrealistic thoughts. You went to the dr. and got checked out and glad to hear that everything came back fine. I had a panic attack the other night but I'm okay. It was hard having it as my heart started racing all of a sudden without having any attacks for over a year, but it happened and I got through it just like you. The current things you're experiencing now is your mind working overtime in worrying. I want you to realize that panic is created in your mind first, then your body will react to it sooner or later. Understand that even after the first one, you were okay afterwards. When you're heart starts to race like that again, take deep breaths and try to focus on something else. Don't let the fear come over you because you will be okay. If the heart racing doesn't stop, then do seek help but your heart races like that when you're exercising. You just don't realize it cause it's expected so when it happens when you're not that active, it can throw you off guard. I would suggest exercise or taking up a hobby to get your mind off your anxious thoughts.