Aa
blood pressure obsession
please help i`ve become obsessed with doing my BP if im having a bad day im doing it 20+ times per day, everytime i feel a chest pain, tightness or heart symptom im sat with the cuff on, my hubby keeps wonderin why im disappearin upstairs so i make lies up like tell him i feel sick or sommat. its become like a safety thing with me so if my BP is good then im good, im due to go on hol in 6 weeks and i dont wanna go cause i know i cant sneak it in the case.
i really need to tell my therapist about this but i know she will make me bin the machine cause she says the only way to break the anxiety circle is to stop the re-assurance things and see what does actually happen. but i cant stop its like my BP machine has become my only way of survival
i really need to tell my therapist about this but i know she will make me bin the machine cause she says the only way to break the anxiety circle is to stop the re-assurance things and see what does actually happen. but i cant stop its like my BP machine has become my only way of survival
I used to have the exact same problem; your therapist is right...while seeking reassurances gives you relief for temporarily it only feeds the obsession in the long term in my experience. While VERY hard in the beginning, it is in your best interest to ensure you break yourself of this habit. I know it is much easier said than done though. First, remember that your BP is not going change dramatically over the course of a week anyway (sure, anxiety will cause fluctuations; for example mine will literally be 160 at the doc's office but at home it is down to 120, so I know not to pay to much attention at the office; if my doctor is not concerned, I am not). Seeking temporary relief to a complex problem only causes it to grow over time. Be honest with your husband and therapist; if you are not, in my opinion, then foward progress is very hard to achieve...hang in there!
hiya i have had all the heart tests just recently paid private for an echo they all came back normal, but i still cant shake the symptoms, pains etc thats why im obsessin with my BP cause in my tiny mind i figured if my BP is ok, then so am i.
i cant tell my hubby i have literally ruined his life with my anxiety and i promised him once i had my echo it wud sink in i was ok, but it hasn. i dont want to upset him again
i cant tell my hubby i have literally ruined his life with my anxiety and i promised him once i had my echo it wud sink in i was ok, but it hasn. i dont want to upset him again
I know EXACTLY how you feel. I was obsessed with checking my blood pressure not too long ago as well. I would check it about 5 times a day and would freak out if it was even slightly above normal. I was also experiencing heaviness and tightness in my chest, so I was convinced something was wrong with my heart. I've never had any problems with my heart, I work out regularly, don't smoke or do drugs, and eat healthy, but I was SURE something was wrong.
I found it helpful to do crossword puzzles when I felt the urge to check my BP. That way you are actively participating in something and it will hopefully help to get your mind off of your blood pressure. I also think you should tell your husband about your obsession with checking your blood pressure. It may help to have someone close to you to keep an eye out and make sure you're not going overboard with the BP checking. If anyone can be your ally through this, it's your husband! I know my mother definitely helped me with the BP checking obsession by literally taking the machine away from me at times.
If you are truly concerned there is something wrong with your heart, you can always go to your physician, tell him/her about your concerns and take it from there. That may help relieve some of your fear. Be your own advocate--if you really feel like something is off with your body, it can't hurt to talk to your physician.
I know you'll be able to kick the BP checking habit. Just remember to keep your mind occupied with something else when you feel the urge to check your BP. Best of luck!
I found it helpful to do crossword puzzles when I felt the urge to check my BP. That way you are actively participating in something and it will hopefully help to get your mind off of your blood pressure. I also think you should tell your husband about your obsession with checking your blood pressure. It may help to have someone close to you to keep an eye out and make sure you're not going overboard with the BP checking. If anyone can be your ally through this, it's your husband! I know my mother definitely helped me with the BP checking obsession by literally taking the machine away from me at times.
If you are truly concerned there is something wrong with your heart, you can always go to your physician, tell him/her about your concerns and take it from there. That may help relieve some of your fear. Be your own advocate--if you really feel like something is off with your body, it can't hurt to talk to your physician.
I know you'll be able to kick the BP checking habit. Just remember to keep your mind occupied with something else when you feel the urge to check your BP. Best of luck!
i agree it is getting out of control im spending half my day doing it, and today its been under 120/88 all day and i been havin chest pains so now im convinced its broken, im scared of throwing it away incase 1 day the pains are serious cause my BP would let me know if it was serious
Batteries?
You need to throw the whole damn thing away!
I know that isn't a possibility, but in all honesty is what you shoudl do. That kind of behavior is very typical of OCD....or OCD-like symptoms...the constant "checking"...ritualistic behavior. I understand that WITHOUT that your anxiety would be even worse, but at least TRY to limit yourself and stick to it, period. Start with say, 5 times a day, then work your way down. It will be a good test of your will, and you will feel great at the accomplishment!!
With all of that being said.......while you are checking your BP incessantly......REMEMBER THAT A PERSON'S BP WILL NORMALLY FLUCTUATE.
It is completely normal for Bp to vary quite significantly based on a LOT of factors, espeically anxiety. So...if you see a number you "don't like"...don't panic (yes, I know...easier said than done..lol)..b.c that is very typical.
Set a goal for yourself to start reducing the # of times you are checking it...and stick to it.
When you get the urge...so something else. Take a walk.....do a puzzle book, something. If you don't start to nip it in the bud...it may end up getting more out of control.
You need to throw the whole damn thing away!
I know that isn't a possibility, but in all honesty is what you shoudl do. That kind of behavior is very typical of OCD....or OCD-like symptoms...the constant "checking"...ritualistic behavior. I understand that WITHOUT that your anxiety would be even worse, but at least TRY to limit yourself and stick to it, period. Start with say, 5 times a day, then work your way down. It will be a good test of your will, and you will feel great at the accomplishment!!
With all of that being said.......while you are checking your BP incessantly......REMEMBER THAT A PERSON'S BP WILL NORMALLY FLUCTUATE.
It is completely normal for Bp to vary quite significantly based on a LOT of factors, espeically anxiety. So...if you see a number you "don't like"...don't panic (yes, I know...easier said than done..lol)..b.c that is very typical.
Set a goal for yourself to start reducing the # of times you are checking it...and stick to it.
When you get the urge...so something else. Take a walk.....do a puzzle book, something. If you don't start to nip it in the bud...it may end up getting more out of control.
i understand what your saying im just not strong enough to throw the batteries away, cause then i wouldn be-able to get my re-assurance. i know i need to quit doing it but if i have the pains etc and my BP is good then i can relax!!
hi
i would agree with your therapist but u dont have to bin just throw out the batteries for now .i used do the same thing although mainly for the heart rate--- but u know running /walking up the stairs is going to raise it and your bp fluxuates through out the day anyway so the readings are always going to be different.if u suffer from chronic high bp they can be handy to keep an eye on things but thats all maybe once a week and defo at the same time everyday.take the batteries out put it away and in a few days something else will fill that gap.
go on your holiday have a great time thats what life is about
i dont know if thats any help but your heart rate and bp will never be the same all day long
take care
i would agree with your therapist but u dont have to bin just throw out the batteries for now .i used do the same thing although mainly for the heart rate--- but u know running /walking up the stairs is going to raise it and your bp fluxuates through out the day anyway so the readings are always going to be different.if u suffer from chronic high bp they can be handy to keep an eye on things but thats all maybe once a week and defo at the same time everyday.take the batteries out put it away and in a few days something else will fill that gap.
go on your holiday have a great time thats what life is about
i dont know if thats any help but your heart rate and bp will never be the same all day long
take care
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