Acute anxiety

[SorchaB]

Hi all
after tests I was diagnosed with a heart problem which will absolutely cause no problems for the next 5 years and possibly not even after that if I’m lucky. There is a chance that in about 15 years worse case I will need heart surgery.
however I can’t put it all into perspective, my anxiety has taken off , it’s horrific. The minute I open my eyes in the morning the first thing i think of is my ‘defective’ heart . It is affecting everything else. Getting up and dressed is a huge effort and I feel exhausted after just that. I’ve had to take work off. I’ve been prescribed Effexor and Xanax and am on day 3 of these. I’m hoping when these kick in that I will have some perspective or at least have an enjoy every day , live in the moment attitude.
anyone have a similar experience?
so many people have worse things going on, I hate the way I’m reacting to this

Sounds like you would benefit from some talking therapy, and maybe CBT

It's difficult (but not impossible) to put such a big 'thing' into perspective. We take our bodies for granted until something happens and then the opposite happens, we become hyperaware of the normal day-to-day functions. As a result there's a part of your subconscious mind that's gone into overdrive and is insisting that you pay constant and disproportionate attention to this 'defect'. Time - with nothing happening - will play it's part, but therapy and meds can also help.

I’d second CBT, and you may find some longer term talking therapy would be helpful

It’s quite a thing to adjust to

There may also be organisations with peer support groups?