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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Is there help for me?
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.
Is there help for me?
by Rene__0, May 06, 1999 12:00AM
Posted by Renee on May 06, 1999 at 14:24:48
Thank you for this wonderful forum. I have been visiting the gastro forum for my problems until today when someone mentioned to me it sounds like I have stress/anxiety or panic attacks. About 3 years ago I experience tingling in my left hand and chest pains. The day before I was fine loving life no problems then WHAM!! My life has changed drastically, I am a mother of 3 children - 10, 3, 1 - I work full-time, attend college at night, and have a wonderful and sometimes supportive boyfriend. But I think my medical problems are wearing him out. I stay at the doctor's office with all kinds of pains. Ever test I read about I have her run on me. I have been in the Emergency room for rapid heartbeats and chest pains twice this year. I feel like I am dying. I am terrified of being alone just in case something happens to me someone will be around to help. My children are very young and I fear not being around to see them grow up. I can't stop thinking of death. The doctor keeps telling me nothing is wrong. But my mind tells me she just hasn't found it yet or I haven't requested the right tests. My heart has been checked every way - EKG, Stress test, some radioactive x-ray, echogram - everything is normal. I have chronic headaches - which I been checked, MRI, MRA, EEG all normal. Next week I see a GI for my stomachaches and indigestion. There has to be something wrong because I feel like ****-everyday!! I am tired, I feel like I am in a fog. I was in the store the other day and started to freak out with chest pains, my hands got to trembling, I got really scared and wanted to get out-then 5 minutes later symptoms gone!! What the heck was that all about?! I feel like I am going crazy and I think my doctor doesn't take me seriously anymore. I am on Toprol for the rapid heartbeats, which I think, is totally un-necessary. The hospital proved it wasn't my heart. But what is it? Will I ever feel better and be able to run and play with my kids. I am 34 years old and feel like I am 100. Maybe I am not expressing myself correctly to my doctor. Can anyone tell me what test I should ask for or medicines or herbs that are good.. I need help. Thank you.
Posted by HFHS MD-JM on May 10, 1999 at 18:28:16
Rene,
It sounds like you have had a dramatic change in your life starting about
three years ago and you wonder if it is an anxiety problem.
You describe symptoms of a panic attack such as chest pain, palpatations,
GI distress, tingling, trembling, feeling like your going to die or go crazy
which have a sudden onset and brief duration. Some of these symptoms can be
related to a medical condition but it sounds like you have had an extensive
workup and reassurance from your physician.
The fear or preoccupation of having a serious disease in spite of appropriate medical evaluation and reassurance is hypochondriasis. Its impossible for me to diagnose you but it is most likely that you have an anxiety
disorder such as panic disorder and possibly hypochondriasis. The good news is
that these conditions are treatable and I recommend that you follow up with
a psychiatrist for a formal evaluation and treatment. If interested in seeing
a HFHS psychiatrist then call 313 874 6680 for an appointment.
Remember, this information is intended for educational purposes only.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD-JM
Keywords: Panic, anxiety, hypochondriasis
