Tired of the thoughts

[kellyt420]

Like everyone here I too think I am going to have a heartattack.....all the time everything I feel anywhere near my chest I think thats what it is....grrr I hate this, I take ativan as needed when I feel a panic attack comming, I have stomach issues from all this too.....what helps besides meds?

[CCFHeartMD 12]

Dear Kelly: first of all, depending on your age and symptoms, heart disease needs to be excluded.  Afterwards and once you have been evaluated by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist and these feelings found to indeed be related to panic attacks and anxiety, I would then tun to meditation and/or cognitive behavior therapy to deal with these symptoms.  Be cautious with use of lorazepam/ativan as it can be habit-forming and people might even feel worse once the medication wears off.  Good Luck!

[achillea]

You can google something like "scholarly articles treatment panic attacks," and what will come up are studies showing that a combination of medications PLUS cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective approach.

If for some reason you are violently opposed to medication for what is in fact a medical problem, then probably you would still be able to fnd a therapist who would be willing to try you on cognitive therapy alone.