So Scared...looking for encouragement...

[jorsen]

My wife's father at 45 years of age had a massive heart attack and died.

I am only 27 and even though I am overweight and I've lost alot of weight and the MD's tell me I am very healthy a heart attack is like my greatest fear.

My wife is driving up 200 miles to be with her family during this terrible time.

I am staying here with the kids and I have been in panic mode ever sense. I took some xanax to chill myself out.

Why am I so scared that I am about to have a heart attack too? I'm trying to use my coping skills (on week 4) but I am just so freaked out.

Just wanting some support

[sandib]

Hi There,
I'm sure you are currently freaked out at the prospect of having a heart attack because since your father in law had one and died from it makes it not just a passing thought anymore but a reality, especially for someone that was only 45. But just like everything else we "what if" or over analyze, you can be almost certain that your chances of having a heart attack are no higher than they were a few weeks ago. I'm not trying to preach as I too have a lot of anxiety concerning heart attacks, cancer, etc. I just try to reassure myself that if our higher power thinks it's time for us to go, it's time for us to go. I know that anxiety over long periods (30 plus years for me) is definately hard on the heart, but I try to stay in the present and remind myself that I am doing all that I can to keep myself from having a heart attack or any other disease and I just have to put the rest in "his" hands. Remind yourself that the more stress you put on yourself, the higher your chances of actually having a heart attack in the future will be. Maybe that can be a "positive" thought for you while you are anxious and help you to calm down quicker and easier (I know that's easier said than done, but it's worth a try I hope something I may have said will help you out a little ~ I know that when I allow others into my anxiety, it seems to help quite a bit. Keep your chin up and just keep using your relaxation CD.

[Sandina]

One of my greatest fears from my anxiety is having a heart attack. All my anxiety and panic attacks started when my dad died, so I can relate to what it's like to suddenly be aware of your own mortality.

Funny thing is, my dad didn't die of a heart attack. I had to go to several doctors and numerous trips to the ER because I always thought my heart was in trouble. It's not!

I finally had to devise a system of rational thinking to think my way out of my panic about it... No one in my family (blood related) has ever had a heart attack. None of my immediate relatives have heart disease. I've been checked out, and my doctors all say it would be highly unlikely that I would EVER have a heart attack.

I still worry about it from time to time, but you know, I just have to convince myself that it's more likely anxiety and not my heart that is making me feel like that!

Ask yourself... have you ever had a heart attack? No. Your doctor says you're healthy. You can safely assume that you're in no danger!

It's your brain and your anxiety that's making you think this way. You just have to fight it and not let it make you think that way!

[Stephen Dal Pian]

Hi: I can relate very much with your situation - my father died of kidney failure when I was age 8 and he was only 40. For so many years I had these feelings that I would die early even though my doctor said that I was in great health
Every slight flu or other sickness would drive me to panic - thinking "oh it's my time to die". After going through the program I came to realize that it was all in my head and that I had to let go of the past and focus on the present and future - looking at the positive aspects of my life and using the skills that I learned in the program. I have faith in you - you will get past these present feelings, focus on what you learned in the program, use those skills,and continue using the relaxation tape.You will be fine and you will gain more and more strength - God is with you and you shall move forward in victory over your circumstances. Your friend - Steve

[newrunner]

You are probably scared because you are an empathetic, sensitive person and have a great imagination.

I used to think I'd die of a heart attack because my dog died even tho' I tried to help her. I didn't talk to anyone about what I was thinking and the horror grew inside of me and overtook me for a long time.

I'd keep on exercising and being healthy, being a good example to your kids, and using the program to learn how to talk realistically to yourself when you whoosh into the "oh no" thinking. I often have to stop and remember that just because it happened to someone else doesn't mean it will happen to me and I don't know all the extenuating circumstances that contributed to the problem-- I usually only hear the sensationalized version in the news or whatever.

I'm sorry for the loss of your FIL. I haven't been in that situation, but I feel for your family. God's blessings in this time of mourning to you all.