Does this sound like part of an anxiety disorder?

Question

Many nights when I'm trying to sleep (including last night), I can't because I'm afraid my heart still stop beating for some reason. I'm a healthy person so I don't know why I think this, but It keeps me awake awhile because I worry that if I keep thinking it will stop than it will. I don't know if this is really something wrong w/ me or not.

Answer 1

It definitly could be. The symptoms are listed below. I have anxiety disorder myself and it is easily treatable. If you can't afford a regular Dr. call your county social services department (or what ever they are calling it) They should have a free counseling service available and probably can help you with medication costs too.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder, GAD, is an anxiety disorder characterized by chronic anxiety, exaggerated worry and tension, even when there is little or nothing to provoke it. more>>
Signs & Symptoms
People with generalized anxiety disorder can't seem to shake their concerns. Their worries are accompanied by physical symptoms, especially fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, trembling, twitching, irritability, sweating, and hot flashes

"I always thought I was just a worrier. I'd feel keyed up and unable to relax. At times it would come and go, and at times it would be constant. It could go on for days. I'd worry about what I was going to fix for a dinner party, or what would be a great present for somebody. I just couldn't let something go."
"I'd have terrible sleeping problems. There were times I'd wake up wired in the middle of the night. I had trouble concentrating, even reading the newspaper or a novel. Sometimes I'd feel a little lightheaded. My heart would race or pound. And that would make me worry more. I was always imagining things were worse than they really were: when I got a stomachache, I'd think it was an ulcer."
People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) go through the day filled with exaggerated worry and tension, even though there is little or nothing to provoke it. They anticipate disaster and are overly concerned about health issues, money, family problems, or difficulties at work. Sometimes just the thought of getting through the day produces anxiety.
GAD is diagnosed when a person worries excessively about a variety of everyday problems for at least 6 months.13 People with GAD can't seem to get rid of their concerns, even though they usually realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants. They can't relax, startle easily, and have difficulty concentrating. Often they have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Physical symptoms that often accompany the anxiety include fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, trembling, twitching, irritability, sweating, nausea, lightheadedness, having to go to the bathroom frequently, feeling out of breath, and hot flashes.
When their anxiety level is mild, people with GAD can function socially and hold down a job. Although they don't avoid certain situations as a result of their disorder, people with GAD can have difficulty carrying out the simplest daily activities if their anxiety is severe.
GAD affects about 6.8 million adult Americans1 and about twice as many women as men.2 The disorder comes on gradually and can begin across the life cycle, though the risk is highest between childhood and middle age.2 It is diagnosed when someone spends at least 6 months worrying excessively about a number of everyday problems. There is evidence that genes play a modest role in GAD.13
Other anxiety disorders, depression, or substance abuse2,4 often accompany GAD, which rarely occurs alone. GAD is commonly treated with medication or cognitive-behavioral therapy, but co-occurring conditions must also be treated using the appropriate therapies.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/gadmenu.cfm

Answer 2

yes it defiantely sounds like a anxiety disorder issue to me. I have experienced the same thing. I wake many nites with my heart racing and was in a deep sleep other nites im afraid to go to sleep due to the fact that im thinking that my heart will stop for what reason i dont know. I have been to a cardiologist 2x and was told that my heart is fine no problems what so ever. No known reason as to why i think this and why i awaken at nite with my heart racing i do have gad and depression. I now take medication for these and i dont have alot of problems right now with waking up been when i do it usually lasts for like a week or so straight its really weird. I have alot of worries about my health since im a diabetic every single time i have a headache or some thing i think its something really bad like im goin to die i really hate thinking this way and i try to stop but for some reason i cant when i have a loving family around me that reasures me everything is fine it helps some. I have been to the ER alot though due to this anxiety disorder an me thinking im having a heart attack or something. I now take celexa and ativan so it helps somewhat. I feel for you cuz i know exactly what your going thru go to ur dr and try some medications out it will help. Good luck.

Answer 3

It does sound like anxiety. A professional evaluation might help. Some people are just more anxious than others and learn ways to calm themselves, such as meditating, being organized, doing things they find relaxing and soothing. NOT doing drugs or alcohol.

In the meanwhile, you can ask yourself what you believe you're really worried about, however. If a "stopped heart" is metaphorical, what does that mean to you? Sometimes, our symptoms, like dreams, can be interpreted as psychological messages.

Answer 4

Maybe this will help:
You can buy CD's with just the sound of ocean waves (or other soothing sounds, like a rainforest or a river flowing). Put this CD in a portable CD player with some earphones or a regular CD player (if you sleep alone) and listen to it until you fall asleep. I've done this before and it works wonders for relaxation. I just pretend I'm basking in the sun at the beach watching the sailboats go by or children playing in the sand. Puts me to sleep every time!

Answer 5

It could be. I've experienced those thoughts myself, and I'm a long-term sufferer of various anxiety disorders. It could also be a sign of obsessive compulsive disorder.

Answer 6

Hi there, I just laugh about my past 3 years of panic now. I was not able to go anywhere without carrying xanax. Fear of having another attack was the most important subject of my days.When i first found joe barry's web site i started to cry because of my happiness.

Free audio to end anxiety and panic attacks fast?

Answer 7

See a doctor; this is not normal. In the meantime, try to rationalize when this occurs, say "well if I don't get any sleep, that will kill me," or "well if it stops, it was God's will." Something to that effect, but definately make an appointment with your GP, he can refer you to a psychologist. Good luck to you.

Answer 8

yes it does. you need to get a physical exam to rule out any cause for your heart stopping. then discuss your anxiety with your doctor or a counselor. you need to find out why you have that fear and ways to deal with it.

Answer 9

Thats definetly not normal.. i would tell your parents or gaurdians about it.