Am i having an Anxiety Attack?

Question

Ok, so about 3 weeks ago a friend of my family passed away at the age of 42, he died in his sleep due to heart failure. It was sad, but i moved on. Last week, another friend of my family passed away, she was 64. She was a diabetic and had some health problems. However, ever since the day she passed away i've been overwhelmed with fear. As if im going to die, i've been getting these tingly feelings, i keep thinking my arm is going to go numb or that i'm going to pass out or something. I'm having alot of trouble sleeping because i'm constantly thinking about it, checking my heart rate and other odd things, and i fear dying in my sleep. I haven't seen a doctor yet, but i will when i can. I do not have any of these symptoms when im occupied with something because i do not think about it. I am 22 Years old, and i like to think i am in good health, but ever since the last death in my life...i've been questiong it alot...Is this an Anxiety Attack?

Answer 1

After my father died I started having panic attacks and it was a full blown "panic disorder" -- went on for about 5 years and ended up addicted to Xanax. I wasn't fearing death or anything like that (although your thoughts are normal). I was told that panic disorder can come on after a tragic even (my dad was my hero)-- I handled everything - the estate, selling his house - all of that. AFTER it was over was when I began having the attacks and they were horrible. They didn't come on just when I was scared or anything. I could be sitting at a stop light and just start having one in the middle of singing to the radio. Panic disorder doesn't mean you are panicked about something -- it just happens in the brain. Talk to your doctor. Panic disorder can lead to agoraphobia (fear of leaving the house) too. You don't want that to happen. I went to counseling with the medication too which helped me cope mentally with the ailment.

Answer 2

Yes, absolutely this is anxiety. Please consult your physician, explain your situation and symptoms and ask if you could be prescribed medication, short term, for anxiety. A benzodiazapine would be good.... maybe Xanax or Valium. Make sure you impress upon the doc that you KNOW these medications are not for long term use and you plan to seek some counseling for this issue as well... and then do it.

While you're there, have your physician check your blood pressure, listen to your heart and lungs etc... and do a physical if you haven't had one in a while. That way there won't be any question about your good health and you might also gain some comfort from that.

Anxiety attacks do cause physical symptoms, often because of the way you're breathing. You can hyperventilate and that can cause dizziness, tingling sensations, lightheadedness, a feeling like you can't breathe or take a deep breath, or that you're going to pass out.

Death is difficult to deal with when you're young, even if it's not someone you were very close to. You're feeling your own mortality and that's normal, but you need to get your emotions and response in check so you're not making yourself ill.

Answer 3

If your arm is going numb that is a doctor issue. My son has anxiety attacks that effect his breathing and heart rate. You are at a age where you realize your own mortality especially after loosing two people close to you. Dying in your sleep is the best most peaceful way to go. Your muscles are relaxed and you do not suffer like a car accident or shooting or fall. Embrace the fact no one lives forever and be the best person you can while here. I would see a doctor you may need some help through this for depression.Good luck.

Answer 4

Nope. Not full-on anxiety. Just a slight case of death preoccupation combined with the busy-head keeping you awake at night. Get some regular excersise, hang out with friends, and perhaps discuss what's bothering you with someone and you will feel better.

Now when you start having actual heart palpatations and visible cold-sweats just from being out in public and your hair starts falling out and you randomly faint because you can't stop hyperventilating and you can't leave the house on the weekends because you sit on the couch and cry for five straight hours and when you're stuck in traffic you think your going to start screaming and never be able to stop?

THEN you are having an anxiety attack!

Answer 5

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 6

It sounds like you're having anxiety, but not an "attack" per se. An anxiety attack only lasts a little while (my longest was about 15 minutes) ... and has physical attributes, like vomiting, accelerated heart rate, trembling, etc. It sounds like you're having some anxiety over the death of your family friend and your own fears of death. I would suggest talking to someone about this ... I believe that most of your fears can be set aside when you discuss your fears out loud.

But know that while death is something we all face, it's not a fear that should run our lives.

Answer 7

I'm sorry you've had so many dear friends die. The symptoms you describe could be anxiety. I highly recommend that you see a doctor. The doctor can readily tell you what is happening to you and can either refer you to a specialist or prescribe medication to help with your symptoms. The most important thing you'll gain from the visit is peace of mind that everything is okay with your body. I hope you get relief soon.

Answer 8

It sure sounds like it..I am so sorry for your losses..That is so hard..I went through a period like that too when I was 13 or so I lost 3 family members in 6 months..

It is natural to look at your own mortality when a family member dies. And its okay to be nervous about it..I would really recommend talking to a counsler..That is alot to deal with the more you talk about your fears the less frightening they are..I hope this helps as i have been through them and they are not fun. Just know your okay.. ((((Hugs)))))) Take some really deep breaths that is great for relaxing..

Answer 9

the systoms you are describing yes are those of an aniexty attack or some call panic disorder.I would defintely recomend you get in to the doctors so they can perscribe klonipn,remeron,paxsil etc. One of these type drugs that will help you. Kloipin is pretty much fast acting and can be taken minutes of an onset. But it can be addicting so doctors if they do perscribe usually wont for keep u on it for long periods of time.The others i mentioned and there are tons more out there take 3 weeks or more to get into your system but once they do and you continue taking usually ppls do really good.
a nurses opinion :) GOODLUCK! & get yourself in asap

Answer 10

It does sound like you are being overwelmed with fear and anxiety. I would just try to distract myself from evrything for a while, and hold off on seeing the doctor. The first thing they are going to do is to get you drugged up. Drugs can only be harmful in the long run, even the prescribed ones.