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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Possible anxiety?
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.
Possible anxiety?
by Jane, Dec 13, 1999 12:00AM
Over the course of the past year I've experienced many heart arrythmias and chest pains. I went to the doctor who said the arrhythmias are not serious and I have a sensitive system. I still occassionally get the arrhythmia's and chest pains and I'm wondering if anxiety brings them on. I can feel the signs of a panic attack (fast heart rate, hot, scared) after I experience the pain or arrhythmia. It's been driving me CRAZY because I feel I have no control over when it happens and I know I shouldn't worry, but I do. I tried beta blockers but the side effects were actually worse than the panic.
I've been considering going to a psychologist but is it possible that these health issues are a direct result from anxitey or stress? I usually never feel anxious until after an attack, but lately I've been anxious that an attack is going to occur. I'm 24F if that helps.
I've been considering going to a psychologist but is it possible that these health issues are a direct result from anxitey or stress? I usually never feel anxious until after an attack, but lately I've been anxious that an attack is going to occur. I'm 24F if that helps.
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS MD - RG, Dec 14, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Jane,
A panic attack is defined as a discrete period of intense discomfort accompanied by four or more of the following symptoms
that develop abruptly and reach a peak within ten minutes- palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, fear of losing control, fear of dying, hot flashes. Panic attacks can occur in mental disorders other than Panic Disorder. Some panic attacks do not easily fit easily into the distinction between unexpeced and expected, and these
attacks are referred to as situationally predisposed; they may or may not occur when a patient is exposed to a specific trigger, or they may occur either immediately after exposure or after a considerable delay.
It is not uncommon for panic attacks to last for 20-30 minutes but usually last less than an hour. Symptoms of panic attacks
may mimic some medical conditions like anemia, hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, among others.
It is best that you see a mental health profesional or a general medical doctor for an evaluation.
A panic attack is defined as a discrete period of intense discomfort accompanied by four or more of the following symptoms
that develop abruptly and reach a peak within ten minutes- palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, fear of losing control, fear of dying, hot flashes. Panic attacks can occur in mental disorders other than Panic Disorder. Some panic attacks do not easily fit easily into the distinction between unexpeced and expected, and these
attacks are referred to as situationally predisposed; they may or may not occur when a patient is exposed to a specific trigger, or they may occur either immediately after exposure or after a considerable delay.
It is not uncommon for panic attacks to last for 20-30 minutes but usually last less than an hour. Symptoms of panic attacks
may mimic some medical conditions like anemia, hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, among others.
It is best that you see a mental health profesional or a general medical doctor for an evaluation.
I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH BOTH ANXIETY AND HEART ARYTHMIAS. I DO KNOW THAT EVERYBODY EXPERIENCES SOME SORT OF HEART ARYTHMIAS, BUT THOSE WHO ARE IN AN ANXIOUS STATE ARE MORE LIKELY TO ACTUALLY FEEL THEM. I TAKE MEDICATION FOR BOTH ANXIETY AND AN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION. FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME TO FURTHER DISCUSS:
***@****.
MARC