Experiencing Chest Discomfort and Anxiety Attacks
Greetings, I’m a 16-year-old male, and just two days prior, I encountered my very first anxiety attack while riding a bus. In that instant, nothing appeared to trigger it, and I didn’t experience any fear until the overwhelming sensation struck me, making me feel as if I was on the verge of death. The attack left me feeling dizzy, fostering an intense worry that I might faint and die right then and there. Following that episode, my heart raced throughout the day, and I began experiencing intermittent chest pains that seemed to originate from my heart. Initially, these were sharp twinges accompanying each heartbeat (though they were not continuous), but then yesterday, I suffered another unexpected panic attack while at work. This episode also caught me off guard and diminished my appetite, while the chest discomfort transitioned from sharp pains to a sensation of tightness or squeezing. I shared my concerns with my parents, but my mother dismissed my feelings, labeling me as a hypochondriac. She suggested I wait until Monday to assess my condition and then make an appointment with the general practitioner. However, I’m aware that the NHS in my area has long waiting times, potentially taking months before I could see someone. Since these two anxiety attacks, I’ve felt mentally exhausted. Each wave of pain brings me to the brink of tears, not due to unbearable agony, but rather from the fear that something could be seriously wrong with my health. As the day progresses, I sense my energy waning, largely due to my diminished appetite, stemming from the discomfort and accompanying nausea. Moreover, I’ve experienced periods of difficulty breathing, which arise unexpectedly, leaving me gasping for breath and struggling to take deep inhalations. What are my next steps?
Answers (1)
12/13/2025, 3:10:44 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm really sorry to hear that you've been experiencing these distressing symptoms. It's understandable to feel overwhelmed and worried, especially when you're having anxiety attacks and chest discomfort. Let's take a closer look at your situation and outline some steps you can take to manage your feelings and symptoms.
Main Points:
- Anxiety and Panic Attacks: The experiences you're describing sound consistent with anxiety and panic attacks. They can cause physical symptoms, including chest discomfort and difficulty breathing, which can be very frightening.
- Physical Symptoms Can Be Real: It's important to recognize that anxiety can indeed manifest as physical sensations, and while it’s a psychological issue at its core, the distress it causes is real and should be taken seriously.
Explanation:
Your body can react intensely to stress and anxiety, leading to symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, chest tightness, dizziness, and even nausea. These sensations are common during panic attacks, which can happen without a clear trigger. It’s equally important to listen to your body and not dismiss your feelings as mere anxiety, especially when you’re experiencing physical symptoms.
Next Steps:
-
Calm Yourself in the Moment:
- When you feel an anxiety attack coming on, try grounding techniques such as deep breathing. Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of four, hold for four, and then exhale through your mouth for a count of six. Repeat this several times.
- Focus on your surroundings and try to identify five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. This can help bring you back to the present moment.
-
Monitor Symptoms:
- Keep a diary of your symptoms, noting when they occur, their intensity, and what you were doing at the time. This may help you identify patterns that could help with anxiety management.
-
Address Lifestyle Factors:
- Try to maintain a balanced diet even if your appetite is low. Small, nutritious meals can help maintain your energy levels. Staying hydrated is also crucial.
- Incorporate regular light physical activity if you feel up to it, as exercise can be beneficial for mental health.
-
Seek Support:
- Talk to someone you trust, like a friend, family member, or school counselor, about what you’re experiencing. Expressing your feelings can provide relief and support.
- If you continue to feel overwhelmed, look for local mental health resources or helplines. Many have options for young people that can help you navigate these feelings.
-
Prepare for Your Doctors Appointment:
- If you can't see a doctor right away, jot down your symptoms and concerns to discuss when you do get an appointment. This can help you advocate for yourself regarding your needs.
-
Stay Patient with Yourself:
- Remember that it’s okay to feel what you're feeling. Healing takes time, and with the right support and methods, many people learn to manage their anxiety effectively.
It's important to focus on your mental health just as much as your physical health. You're not alone in this experience, and there are ways to feel better. If things feel too overwhelming or if you experience severe symptoms, it’s essential to seek immediate help. I'm here for any further questions or support you may need.
Related Questions
Does Cross-Tapering an SSRI Lead to Immediate Symptom Deterioration?
A 22-year-old female with a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) along with a medical history that includes epilepsy, a non-active pituitary microadenoma, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), mild major depressive disorder (MDD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is seeking advice regarding her medication regimen. Her current prescriptions are as follows: - Fluvoxamine, 150 mg taken at night - Sertraline, 50 mg taken in the morning - Lamotrigine, initially 50 mg in the morning and 75 mg at night (currently being increased to a target dose of 100 mg twice daily) - Melatonin, 10 mg before sleep - Supplementary vitamins including vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin B12, along with ferrous gluconate and valerian root. Since beginning fluvoxamine for her OCD treatment in November 2023, she gradually adjusted her dosage to the existing levels. Recently, she initiated a cross-taper to sertraline, citing that the fluvoxamine was only partially effective. This adjustment commenced on January 31st, with her increasing the sertraline by 25 mg weekly while concurrently reducing the fluvoxamine by 25 mg every four days. As of today, she is taking 50 mg of sertraline and has cut her fluvoxamine down to 150 mg as of Wednesday. Over the past week, she has experienced a notable rise in her OCD-related obsessions and distressing intrusive thoughts, as well as heightened compulsions. She queries whether these intensified symptoms could be a consequence of the medication switch. Although she feels that it might be premature for such rapid changes to occur, she wonders about the timeline for noticing fluctuations after starting sertraline or tapering fluvoxamine. While she's aware of general timelines for improvements on SSRIs, there seems to be insufficient information regarding the effects during a cross-tapering process. She expresses gratitude in advance for any insights that may be shared.
Concerns About Trazodone for Anxiety Relief
Hello everyone, I’m a 27-year-old female experiencing anxiety-related insomnia that has persisted for about a month. My sleep has been severely disrupted, averaging only four to five hours per night. I frequently wake up every hour and struggle to drift back off. This situation has led to me waking up each morning with a racing heart and feeling unsettled throughout the day. To seek some relief, I recently visited urgent care, where a doctor prescribed me Trazodone at a dosage of 50mg to assist with my sleep issues. However, after doing some research online, I discovered that the medication may carry significant risks, including the potential to exacerbate heart palpitations and arrhythmias. This has made me hesitant to start taking it. I’m reaching out to see if anyone here has experience with Trazodone. Is it generally considered safe? Have others encountered adverse effects related to heart issues while using this medication? This is particularly concerning for me, and I would appreciate any insights or experiences you can share.
Seeking Clarity on My Mental Health Episodes
Summary: As someone diagnosed with a mental health disorder, I’m seeking guidance on understanding the symptoms I displayed in a recorded episode relevant to my recent BPD diagnosis. Background: I’m a 32-year-old female with limited knowledge about mental health, yet I've accumulated diagnoses like they’re collectibles. I use humor to cope, though I hope it doesn’t cause offense. I was unaware of terms like PTSD or C-PTSD until diagnosed at 25, a realization that has prompted this self-reflection; I apologize if my jokes miss the mark. I first encountered PTSD symptoms around age 19, but it felt normal to me, despite my frustrating journey through severe depression starting in 4th grade, anxiety spirals by 5th grade, and restless nights filled with sleep disturbances. Panic attacks by 9th grade further compounded my struggles. The concept of mental illness was a vague notion in my life; after each new diagnosis, I would learn about it, often with surprise, as if it were news to me. It’s a little humorous in retrospect, given my previous ignorance, but I’ve received some significant diagnoses over the years, often accompanied by medication that requires identification. Main Inquiry: Normally, I would consult my therapist regarding this matter, but due to a family situation on her end, I don’t want to add to her stress. I documented myself during a panic attack and shared the footage with both my psychiatrist and therapist prior to viewing it myself. This recording contributed to my BPD diagnosis, which marks my fifth mental health diagnosis. During our initial meeting, my psychiatrist pointed out traits related to Axis II but didn’t elaborate until the video prompted a deeper discussion about BPD and the implications for my treatment plan. Both of my therapists, including one I’ve seen for over a year, concurred based on the video that the BPD diagnosis was warranted. I personally resonate with the diagnosis, quite fitting my experiences. Interestingly, I am relieved that I found out about it only after the clinical diagnosis, as I would have likely self-diagnosed long before. Now that I’ve viewed the video, I find myself uncertain about interpreting certain mental health symptoms, such as dissociation or catatonia. This uncertainty brings me to this subreddit, as I'm eager to gain more insight into the video and understand its significance in regard to my BPD diagnosis. I contemplated hiring a transcriber adept at strict verbatim transcriptions. Would that be a useful approach? Any suggestions on resources or methods to help me decipher the behaviors displayed in the video, especially concerning important timestamps or events, would be greatly appreciated. Additionally, my curiosity intertwines with necessity; the video, along with two audio recordings, is being provided as evidence in an upcoming court case. Understanding what transpired in those recordings will be crucial.
Feeling Anxious About Recent Health Concerns
Hello everyone, I hope you're well. To give you some background, I'm a 32-year-old woman residing in the UK. I've undergone two cesarean sections and have had various ultrasounds in the past. For several years, I've dealt with irregular menstrual cycles and occasional spotting between periods. Although I sought medical advice and underwent several tests to investigate these issues, nothing conclusive was found. Last year, I underwent a hysteroscopy, followed by an ultrasound. While the hysteroscopy results were normal, the subsequent ultrasound revealed a small accumulation of fluid in my uterus and a thickened area of the uterine lining. The gynecologist reviewed the ultrasound results and suggested that the fluid might be residual from the hysteroscopy, assuring me that there was no cause for concern. Still, she recommended scheduling a follow-up ultrasound six months later. I recently had this follow-up scan, and unfortunately, the findings were similar—there was still a small amount of fluid and an area of thickening in my uterus. The doctor advised that I need to return to consult with a gynecologist to investigate why these issues persist. Naturally, I’m filled with worry, and it's taking a toll on my appetite. As I await my consultation with the gynecology team, I can't shake this anxiety. Could this be a sign of cancer? I would appreciate any support or advice during this stressful time. Thank you for listening! xx
Concerns About My Mental Health
As a 28-year-old woman, I have growing concerns regarding my mental health and the effects of my current medication regimen. I'm beginning to suspect that the medications I'm taking—Klonopin, Clozaril, Luvox, Ritalin, lithium, and several others meant to mitigate side effects—might be impacting my brain in a negative way. Recently, I sought help at the hospital for a CT scan, but my diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder led to my being turned away. I genuinely feel as though there are significant issues with my brain; I’ve been experiencing unusual pressure atop my skull, as if something is pushing against it, alongside severe headaches. Moreover, I often encounter ringing in my ears, dizziness, and periods of blurred vision. Although these symptoms do not persist for extended durations, they tend to appear sporadically. The only constant symptom is the pressure, which intensifies when I feel cold. I have a scheduled medical appointment for Wednesday, but I find myself anxious about my health and fear I might not survive until then.