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Cadiophobia, panic attacks and now agoraphobia. Advice needed!


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Hi,

I realise it's been three years since I visited the forum. I have been blessed with few serious obsessions these past few years, and I have lived a pretty normal life.

However, I have recently developed a crippling obsession that's even stopping me from leaving my house - cardiophobia, or a fear of having a heart attack. Just writing the words 'heart attack' gives me a rather unpleasant panicky feeling. I have convinced myself that due to twenty years of heavy drinking and smoking I am likely to have damaged my cardiovascular system, and therefore a heart attack is a real possibility. Because of this I am suffering panic attacks, during which my heart races and I have palpitations. I have been off work for the last four weeks and now can't even leave my house without having a panic attack.

My GP just thinks I'm neurotic and told me to go and exercise and get some fresh air. Friends of mine have just told me to go out and ride out the panic attacks, but I can honestly say the feeling of anxiety is so intense it is akin to when I thought I was drowning in the sea as a child, and I am terrified of them. I really don't know what to do any more.

I am going to try to go out with a friend - first to the local shops and then try and venture out a little further each day. I will keep a diary to record what I hope will be the progress I make. I will try to meditate. I have an exercise bike in my house, which I will try to use and attempt to gradually increase the distance and vigour each day. Is there anything else I can do? 

My main worry is that the stress and anxiety I'm feeling will actually cause a heart attack.

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25 minutes ago, PolarBear said:

Hey Dave. The only way to get past that stress and anxiety is by doing all the things you are avoiding. It won't be easy at first but keep at it.

Hello PolarBear! Thanks very much for your reply. To say it won't be easy is an understatement! It is terrifying. I think I will have to do things gradually. Thanks again for your advice though, it's much appreciated. 

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Hi Dave

This may be the last thing you want to hear but you have to get out there and (forgive me for saying) be prepared to die.

I'm not being flippant because I have had this fear and my Father died at a young age from  heart attack.  I had to learn that this was an exaggerated fear & an obsession.  I had to get to a point where I realised that I could make sensible choices but that I couldn't  completely control the outcome of life, no-one can.  I accepted that if I were to die, there's not much I could do to stop it and I would be the one person it wouldn't affect  because I wouldn't be here to know about it.

I can sense you (and perhaps others) throwing their hands up in horror at this  but it is how I faced it.  I gave up control of trying to control it if that makes sense.

Try and make those plans to go out with a friend every day.  Have them alongside for support but try & resolve not to endlessly seek reassurance from them.  Build on the goals.  Go every day to the ,local shop say......but then up it.  Walk to the shop with a friend but decide you'll go in the shop alone, buy a chocolate bar and co e out.....and keep building those goals and extending the challenges.

If your GP isn't helpful, you can refer yourself to an IAPT provider.  They should be able to help you, particularly,early with the panic disorder.  You should be able to find details through googling  for your area or ring up your GP surgery and ask reception for details of who the IAPT provider is for your area.

You know you can live a pretty normal life and you can and will again.  Stay strong :)

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12 hours ago, Caramoole said:

Hi Dave

This may be the last thing you want to hear but you have to get out there and (forgive me for saying) be prepared to die.

I'm not being flippant because I have had this fear and my Father died at a young age from  heart attack.  I had to learn that this was an exaggerated fear & an obsession.  I had to get to a point where I realised that I could make sensible choices but that I couldn't  completely control the outcome of life, no-one can.  I accepted that if I were to die, there's not much I could do to stop it and I would be the one person it wouldn't affect  because I wouldn't be here to know about it.

I can sense you (and perhaps others) throwing their hands up in horror at this  but it is how I faced it.  I gave up control of trying to control it if that makes sense.

Try and make those plans to go out with a friend every day.  Have them alongside for support but try & resolve not to endlessly seek reassurance from them.  Build on the goals.  Go every day to the ,local shop say......but then up it.  Walk to the shop with a friend but decide you'll go in the shop alone, buy a chocolate bar and co e out.....and keep building those goals and extending the challenges.

If your GP isn't helpful, you can refer yourself to an IAPT provider.  They should be able to help you, particularly,early with the panic disorder.  You should be able to find details through googling  for your area or ring up your GP surgery and ask reception for details of who the IAPT provider is for your area.

You know you can live a pretty normal life and you can and will again.  Stay strong :)

Hi Caramoole! 

Thank you very much for your reply. It's reassuring to know that somebody else on here has been through this. Did you suffer from actual panic attacks? Regardless, I think your advice is very good. I am actually reading the Bible now, as I find it comforting, and I am trying to accept that when my time comes it comes, and worrying and being anxious will not change anything. 

The services provided are slightly different in Scotland, but I am on to it. Thank you again! 

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Oh my yes, I did and they're horrible. But you can get over them.  The thought of having a panic attack is one of the many fears that actually cause them.  I'm unsure of the system in Scotland but it may be worth phoning your GP practise & asking the receptionist if they have a GP who particularly specialised I'm mental health issues.  You could do this just saying you're making a general enquiry (that way you don't even need to say who you are).  If they have, make an appointment with a GP who may be more sympathetic & understanding and ask them if they could make a referral to someone who could help with the panic disorder.

In the meantime, start that list of daily goals and start to try and achieve them.  Let us know how you go on

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57 minutes ago, Caramoole said:

Oh my yes, I did and they're horrible. But you can get over them.  The thought of having a panic attack is one of the many fears that actually cause them.  I'm unsure of the system in Scotland but it may be worth phoning your GP practise & asking the receptionist if they have a GP who particularly specialised I'm mental health issues.  You could do this just saying you're making a general enquiry (that way you don't even need to say who you are).  If they have, make an appointment with a GP who may be more sympathetic & understanding and ask them if they could make a referral to someone who could help with the panic disorder.

In the meantime, start that list of daily goals and start to try and achieve them.  Let us know how you go on

That's great advice, thanks. I will keep you updated.

 

When I get a panic attack I feel like I'm going to go insane and die! They're so frightening. Yes, the fear of a panic attack is definitely a cause of them. Thanks again!

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The fear of having a heart attack is fairly common for people with panic disorder and agoraphobia. I don’t have a specific fear about a heart attack, but I do have a less specific fear that I could just collapse at any moment. As a result, I tend to monitor myself to check that I don’t feel faint. My worst symptom during a panic attack is feeling extremely light headed/dizzy, so those symptoms just amplify that fear. I’ve been working on some Interoceptive Exposures to specifically target those symptoms. 

For the agoraphobia, I think it’s best to take small steps and gradually increase the exposure.  Pushing too hard and causing a full blown panic attack isn’t particularly helpful. I’ve had a few setbacks due to pushing too hard. My agoraphobia has been an ongoing battle for several years. I’ve definitely improved but still have a long way to go. Best of luck to you.

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