Scared of working out and sleeping(Driving me crazy)

[androo119]

I'm a 20 yr old male with a worsening anxiety problem.Ok so my anxiety started out as chest pains and went to other things. I got my heart checked out my a cardiologist with a still EKG and a ECHO. He said my heart was healthy. So now for some reason I'm focused on everything that has to do with my heart, i'm even a tad bit OCD with it as my university psycologist says because I check my pulse every 5-15 minutes.
I'm a very well built athlete but lately I've been terrifies of working out. When I lift weights and constantly check my pulse and it freaks me out that pulse is at 130(while lifting weights) or 170(while biking) and how if i put my hand on my chest I can feel my heart beat clearly. For some reason I have it in my mind that the beat im feeling is irregular. And I guess because they never did a stress test at the cardiologist I'm going to worry.
Now when I lay down I have palpitations (two faster beats than the normal cycle). So basically I was about to take a nap and now im scared to because I'm afraid I'm not going to wake back up.

DOES ANYONE EXPERIENCE , OR EVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. Any Advice.

[4f2jb3gm]

Definatly.  I am a 19yo college student as well, and ive never had problems with anxiety until i got to school.  I also had an EKG and everything was fine.  I dont worry much about my heart, however i find other health issues to worry about.  The heart palpitations are from anxiety.  I have read many articles saying that he anxiety causes the palpitations.  From my experience i have found that anxiety/hypochondira feed their own fire.  My anxiety causes symptoms that make me worry even more that i have some sort of illness, but really that illness is anxiety.  I find it amirable that you speak to your university psych, i havent had the courage to talk to anyone about my anxiety yet.

[androo119]

I have a huge ego cause i was an athlete in high school and highly recruited for lacrosse.and i was almost in denial that...you know, this could happen to me? But it helpds going to see a therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist. Its nice to have some reassurance of an expert. But yea.....I have heard that coming home from long breaks from college is what sparks anxiety...and that alot of college students and people in general develop anxiety in their college years.I've never got an explanation as to why though.

And don't worry about seeing someone you know at the office at your college/university cause if theyre a real friend they wont judge you or really care.

[suzi-q]

A doctor will not recommend a stress test unless there was a cause for concern from the other tests that you had.  If your echo and EKG were fine, your symptoms are most likely anxiety related.  Yes, we get really freaked and they focus all of our attention on a symptom...Most likely your anxiety gets worse and the heart goes faster.  It is not a cause for concern.  Also, your numbers to me when you are working out seem to be in the normal range.  Did you check your pulse prior to your chest pains?  Is it dramatically higher or about the same?  

YOu can either work this through on your own with self help books and by diverting your attention. (Very hard to do!).  I would suggest seeking a therapist to help you through this before it gets the best of you.    It seems that you are having panic attacks.  Especially at moments when you anxiously and irrationally worry. Many of us here become victims to our anxiety. Don't let this happen.  It is very scary, but it is also very treatable.  Best to you.