anxious about being alone

[kathhughes1971]

I have always had problems with my stomach, The last few days I have had extreme upper pain radiating to my chest and shoulder. I have no shortness of breath but when I am left on my own I start to panic that this is the beginning of a heart attack. I have rang the doctor and have an appointment in an hour. I can't stop panicking which in turn is making me feel more like I am having heart problems. I was on my own most of the day yesterday with the same problem and had a major panic attack and once I got over it still did not convince myself it was not my heart. My hands keep getting clammy and I am freaking out. I am on no medication for anxiety as after many years I decided to come of it. I am currently having cbt therapy and have told them I have health anxiety but they seem to be focusing on past events on why I am like this. Has anybody please got some advice on how I can calm down and not have this fear of being alone and something happening . I would really appreciate any comments Thank you

[kathhughes1971]

Thank you for your comments Unfortunately I'm in England with no such support. I had to give up driving as I was in constant panic driving. I too have health anxiety I think I focus in it more when I'm alone. I can't go out as won't travel on my own. Even when I am with someone in the car I panic of we go too far or too fast. I have been like this for the last four years. Started when my youngest son was 8 months old. I used to drive everywhere even went on own to Paris with children Now I cannot even pick up my son from school on my own. It has ruined my life I have been on numerous anti depressants which did not help. Currently in cbt have been for 2 months now. This is my last hope and I'm hoping I can even get a fraction of my old life back. I am getting better at realising I'm not having heart problems but always think there is something wrong. It is exhausting. I feel extremely guilty for my family as they are missing out because I have difficulty facing my fears. If I do get some relief from this through cbt will let u know and will try and see if I can get somebody to call if I'm freaking out! Thank u for your advice Best wishes and take care xxx

[erin626]

I have a fear of being alone too. I try very hard to avoid being home alone..drive alone..go to the store alone etc. Where I live we have a free crisis hotline that has operators 24 hours a day. You can call them for anythig mental health related. When I'm alone and panicking and it gets really bad, I call them and it helps me feel not so alone. You could try finding out if the area you live in has a similar program. I believe that the hotline I call can be reached by a 1-800 number for anyone in the US but i'd have to check on that. But..what it really comes down to for me is forcing myself to deal with being alone beause its kind of unavoidable. If i'm home alone..i start cleaning to focus my attention on something other than being alone. If i'm driving, I'll count how many blue cars i pass..anything to keep me distracted. I'll also make it a point to call friends and family that i want to catch up with. Being on the phone and talking to people really helps me feel not so alone and scared because i know that if  anything were to happen..(this worst case scenario thinking is caused by my anxious health anxiety riddled mind)..that they would have the sense to call 911 for me. Just the other day i was driving to my moms house and had a horrible panic attack in my car..i was certain that i was dying of a heart attack..but i called the hotline and was talked through my panic attack..and didn't have a heart attack. I also keep a list of anxiety symptoms handy so when i do start getting in panic mode i can read the list and realize..this is anxiety..not a life threatening disease.