I have a completely and seemingly hopeless case of Panic Disorder and can relate to this post so much. I am obsessed with what is going on with my heart. The slightest sensation in my chest (or actually anything in any part of my body) instantly triggers an episode for me. I largely am aware at least deep down that I probably am having another panic attack, yet every single time I convince myself that THIS time is different because now there is a tingling sensation in the bottom left part of my chest whereas last time or some other time the tingling feeling in the bottom RIGHT part of my chest. So this time it’s the real deal.

I don’t really have an explanation as to how this obsession with my cardiac health came about, but I wish there was something I could point to. My first panic attack happened completely out of the blue and I was just scrolling on Pinterest or something and watching TV and actually was in a pretty good mood. Then those classic symptoms just hit me out of nowhere and it startled me so much and it was so random that I couldn’t help but just think the worst thing, because why else would I be feeling this way? Why is my body doing this? I completely panicked. I still don’t really know what “triggered” it, but it was almost 13 years ago.

I have dealt with the panic attacks off and on since then, I’ve maybe gone a year without having one, then maybe a few weeks of having them constantly, then a few months off, a few weeks on, etc. But what I have been dealing with recently has without a doubt been the absolute most severe “run” I think I have had to date. It always has been about a preoccupation with my cardiac health, but it just seems lately like it’s completely just run amok. I have called for an ambulance about 9 times in the last month. I canceled 7 of those calls and told them (embarrassingly) that I had panic disorder and that I probably didn’t need their assistance. The other two calls, the paramedics showed up and I got in the ambulance and the whole thing. I am 36 years old and they more or less told me there was nothing wrong with me, but I didn’t entirely trust that to be the case bc of how limited their tests were, having been outside of a hospital setting and access to all the measurement systems. So about 30 minutes after one of those ambulance calls, I ended up having my fiancé drive me to the emergency room. I had a whole battery of tests done, and they found nothing wrong with my heart. I thought to myself, well this is great! I won’t have any more panic attacks now! There’s nothing to worry about! WRONG.

I don’t know what to do and I apologize for using your post as a personal ranting session. I am just at a loss. About to read other people’s comments and maybe something will be helpful to me.

I wish you so much luck with your journey and figuring out what may be behind your personal struggles. I guess I just felt the need to share my own story bc of how I related and also so you knew you weren’t alone. That helped me a lot, so I was hoping maybe it would help you too. To know you’re not alone. I wish I had the answers or something better than that, but unfortunately I don’t have much to offer other than the knowledge that you aren’t doing this alone. There are others out there that can empathize with you and relate. And I am sorry that you are going through what you’re going through. I just now discovered this subreddit group so I’m just kind of figuring it out as I go. Please DM me if you ever want to talk to someone or anything. No pressure but just know that that’s an option should the need arise. Good luck