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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
GAD and severe phobia of having blood pressure taken
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
GAD and severe phobia of having blood pressure taken
by Linda, Jun 01, 2000 12:00AM
I am a 51 yr. old female. I've had anxiety problems for many years but never knew what it was. My doctor said I have White Coat Syndrome after I had a terrible reaction to blood pressure medication, my blood pressure went so low I thought I was dying. It was terrifying. I began having severe panic attacks and he referred me to a therapist. After 4 yrs., I don't have full blown panic attacks but I still have anxiety problems and I have a severe phobia of having my blood pressure taken. Two years ago, I moved across the country and had to change my therapist. I stopped therapy about six months ago as he retired and I didn't think I was making much progress with him anyway. I avoid doctors and nurses, even socially and am constantly scared of getting sick and needing to go to a doctor. The first thing they do is take my blood pressure and it is always high because I am so panicked. I used to be able to monitor it at home (it was always normal) but I can't even do that now - it is too scary. I'm constantly worrying about "what if I really have hypertension, diabetes, or whatever disease". This is very embarrassing and I hate feeling so intimidated by doctors. I never had trouble going to doctors before this and I am not afraid of any ohter medical treatment, just the blood pressure thing. How can I find a medical doctor who will be understanding about this and a therapist who can help me? I take Xanax .25 for anxiety as needed but I hate the groggy feeling even though I'm grateful that it helps.
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS.MD-AJ, Jun 04, 2000 12:00AM
It must be difficult suffering from the anxiety and phobia that you report. I recommend that you discuss your concerns with your family physician, and request for his/her help in facilitating your referral to a psychiatrist. Phobias and other anxiety disorders are treatable with a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and medications. If Xanax makes you feel groggy, the dose may be decreased to half a tablet (0.125 mg), or other less sedating medications tried (e.g. Zoloft, Celexa, Prozac, etc).
racing heartbeat and other anxieties before having my blood
pressure taken. I was put on a very low dose of Inderal,
only 10 milligrams 3 times per day, I think, and it worked
wonders, not only for that, but for calming the racing heartbeat
which always occured before any other situation in which I
might be observed, or evaluated. I think most people who have
real high blood pressure take at least 80 mg per day, and
some alot more for migraines and other things. All I can
say is that very low dose of Inderal helped more than I ever
believed possible, and my blood pressure readings have been
normal ever since. Best of Luck and Hang in there.