extra heart beat and panic attacks

[unknown560]

i have recently been diagnosed with having panic attacks after visiting my doctor because of chest pains when i felt light headed and had stugglety to breath.. i then had an e.c.g and found out that i have also got an extra heart beat which is then followed by a pause in the rhythm... i got very worried when told all this as im 15 and have never known anythiing like this with anybody i know... i find it quite difficult to come to turms with the fact that i am different to everybody else and could have an attack at any time but always cover the fact by saying im special and unique but its really scary... i don't know what is causing them and its playing on my mind... xx

[woodruff]

One thing to be aware of is that you are NOT alone.  Lots of people have panic attacks:  I have them, and quite a few people who write in here have them (although some may not know that is what's going on).  Panic attacks often have symptoms that seem to be related to the heart, but usually these symptoms do not mean that there is anything wrong with the heart.

I'm kind of surprised that your doctor didn't explain things better to you, or give you a referral to someone who treats panic disorders.  Usually, you see a psychiatrist, who may prescribe medicine to help control the attacks. I am a big fan of a group of antidepressants called SSRIs, of which Zoloft works well for me when I am having panic and pvcs.  Other medications work better for other patients, and often, people have to try a couple of different ones to find the most effective.  Other patients do well just with psychotherapy, and a psychiatrist can provide that, or he/she can refer the patient to a counselor who specializes in mental exercises to deal with panic attacks.

I recommend that you contact your doctor again, and tell him that you need help in learning to deal with your panic attacks.  That would be a good start.

There are also websites where panic is discussed.  Here is one:

http://www.depressionforums.org/forums/Anxiety-Panic-Disorders-f32.html

[dolfnlvr]

I agree with woodruff regarding your panic attacks.  Treatment is available and quite effective these days.  You are FAR from alone!!!

As for the extra beat.  Please try not to let that make your panic/anxiety worse.  The extra beats are called PVC's or PAC's.  That stands for premature ventricular contraction or premature atrial contraction.  Neither is dangerous in any way if you have a structurally normal heart (and it sounds like you've been checked out as a ok on that front).  PVC's/PAC's are made more pronounced and appear more often when a large amount of adrenaline rushes through your body.  If you are suffering from panic disorder, this would explain some of the sensations you feel.  However, some of us have them even when very calm.  The secret is to not worry about them, because they will not hurt you.  The more you worry about them, the more they bother you and the more you have them, then that makes you worry more and next thing you know you've worked your system into a full blown panic attack.  Given your situation, you may experience panic attacks for multiple reasons and will be seeking assistance on that front soon...but worrying about the PVC's will add yet another factor to your situation that you do not need.  Try to let them go if at all possible.  For some support come here.  For an understanding of how NOT alone you are with the PVC's just read some of the posts on this site.  They are RAMPANT among the population and you are so far from alone!!!!

Take care...let us know how we can help you.

[unknown560]

well thanks for the advice it reali made me think that maybe im not alone... my doctor is very sure that is either to do with stress or getting panicy when feeling the pause i get after an extra heartbeat... and stress is just piling up at the minute which doesn't help the situation as my mum has been very ill recently and now planning to split up with her husband which means movin house again and dealin with his violence during the split. he doesnt no yet. its very hard trying to keep an eye on my mum keppin her secret and trying to control my attacks... also knowing very little about them it plays on my mind alot leavon me feelin very run down and depressed... my doctor has not mentioned seeing or speaking to anybody else which worrys me as its like nobody cares but i just keep it all kept away.... write back xx

[yarrow]

I'm sorry that your life is in upheaval right now, but you know, life has a way of going that route every now and then.  Since you are a person who has been diagnosed with panic disorder, there's a good chance that you will experience this again in your life, perhaps when something dramatic is going on, and perhaps when absolutely NOTHING is happening (which is when I have panic attacks myself).

The feeling is scary, as you know, but not dangerous, and the same thing is true about most extra heartbeats, but sometimes even knowing that doesn't really help.  Have you told your doctor that this is absolutely freaking you out?  Docs really do care about their patients--but they aren't mind-readers.   You have to tell them pretty explicitly how you are feeling.

It is up to you to ask for help when you need  it, so now you should ask your doctor for a referral to a counselor who deals with panic attacks.  Also, you should read up on extra heartbeats.  The type your doctor thinks you have is very common.  Pretty much everyone has them--they just don't feel them.  Interestingly, nervous people feel them more.   They are pretty easy to understand, by the way, and this site has a lot of information.

However, you will probably be too nervous and upset to take the information in until you get help for your panic--which is why it is important for you to get help for that.  You will be a lot more comfortable, believe me.