Scared of dying alone with a heart attack
I had a traumatizing visit to the ER last month. I thought it was a heart attack, but apparently it was my first ever panic attack. After that I was worrying about the panic attack and it gives me more panic attack and I was diagnosed by my doctor with panic disorder. Now I am able to manage my panic attacks, and I didnt have any since 2 weeks ago. But the problem is especially at night, I become aware about my health. The doctor said that my heart is fine, but I cant stop worrying about the physical sensation that I feel. It doesnt give me panic attacks, but I just feel scared all the time now. I feel I'm moving very slowly towards recovery.
I had my very first panic attack two weeks ago. After that I had a second one few days ago. I am unfortunately back on antidepressants now after 6 months being off. My condition gets worse in the morning. Do you only worry about having a panic attack or is there a specific problem that is causing it or have caused it in the very first place?
I was on antidepressants but i stopped after a week. Cant handle the side effect, plus I am in therapy and I feel like it's working better for me. Initially I was only worried about the panic attack happening, but lately I worry about having a real heart attack although I know it's unlikely.
When I started my antidepressants, it took me two weeks for them to kick in fully. I would recommend going on the antidepressant that your doctor recommends and going through the side effects for the first two weeks. I know it’s terrible, but it will be so worth it. I am now two months into my new medication and feeling much better. I know it will feel like you can’t make it through in two weeks is a long time, but I can tell you quality of life is better afterward
I have this same exact issue. I generally feel fine during the day, but nights are much worse for some reason. I feel all of the physical feeling stronger in the night, and I feel that there is no one to help me. I am on an antidepressant to help as well, but I always feel as though I am in health crisis especially in my brain or heart.
How do you cope with it?
I have been seeing a therapist for cognitive behavioral therapy. The biggest thing that clicked for me was when she told me that things were going to happen the same way whether I worried or not. And actually, the anxiety may make any future situations with my health even worse. She said that the best thing that I can do is come to terms with the fact that we all have the same fate and it’s going to happen someday regardless if I panic about it or not. I know that it’s not the greatest response in the world, but coming to accept death and not be so scared of it actually helped me.
