Anxiety Triggers, Shortness of Breath

[JestH]

I started having panic attacks at bedtime about 8 months ago. They would occur once out of every few times my boyfriend stayed over. Since then, the panic attacks have mostly stopped and became much less severe (with help of short term therapy and occasional half tablets of Lorazepam when I felt a tightness in my abdomen and the persistent feeling of needing to breathe deeply, {the first sign for one of my attacks}) I was mostly free of bedtime panic attacks by late Jan '14.

Over the last week, however I have had the tightening right in the center of my abdomen and the feeling of shortness of breath all day, every day. It's a scary feeling, having that with my all the time, when I feel like all is well. I'm also much quicker to start crying and am not sleeping well.

My boyfriend, who is always so supportive and sweet and who I always know I can turn to when I am having a hard time, also moved in around the middle of June, and I can't help but feel like this more general anxiety is in part because of our new living situation. For example, yesterday, I had the day off and was generally anxiety free and was bustling around, looking forward to seeing the boyfriend after work, and making dinner when he got home. I started feeling the chest tightening when I heard his car pull up to the house, and my heart absolutely sunk when I thought that he may part of the reason for my newfound anxiety issues.

I am wondering if anyone has any advice or suggestions for the tightening in my chest, as well as maybe some advice for co-habitation, since I now can't ignore that maybe this is related to my anxiety. As a note, I began seeing a new therapist last week, I don't take regular prescriptions for anxiety, but I have been taking GABA and B12 to try to help the anxiety and Valerian Root to help me try to fall asleep. I also work out 5/7 days a week and try to eat healthy, for what it's worth. :)

[JestH]

Thanks for the comments.

Yes, I have had a complete cardiac evaluation within the past 12 months, completely separate from the panic/anxiety issue. I know that I have had supraventricular tachycardia since youth, but that it is mild and there is no need for medical treatment at this time. My regular resting heart rate averages around 40bpm, even now with my general anxiety, day to day. I was given the green light to continue doing half marathons and weight lifting, etc.

I don't think that this is all in "my mind" but the bouts of uncontrolled sobbing, inability to sleep and persistent nagging thoughts dwell definitely in the mind.

[michigan07]

After going to a doc and ruling out or addressing anything medical I would have advised going to a therapist but you are doing just that so you're on the right track : ) As for cohabitation if you are happy with whom you are with and they are understanding that can help a lot. Change places anxiety on almost everyone regardless of wether they suffer from anxiety or not and like anything else over time we adjust to it.

[caregiver222]

Needless to say you require an in-person cardiac evaluation. Anxiety can cause cardiac irregularities, as well as simple tachycardia (fast heart rate) and these can easily lead to "shortness of breath". I would not conclude that your problems are all "in the mind".