Health Anxiety / Cardiophobia

[AshleyP15]

After some advice as I am really struggling 😞

I have health anxiety, particularly Cardiophobia. I have had CBT / counselling which has helped and I am a lot better, but I still struggle daily and it is really getting me down.

I have read books, practiced exposure therapy, drink herbal teas...everything all the books have recommended.

My question is has anyone ever got over health anxiety/ Cardiophobia and if so what helped them? I'm unsure wether to go back to CBT (I think I have all of the tools etc they say you need, so not sure what the point is) or is it more of a repetition thing and carry on with my exposure therapies, writing therapies etc

Any advice would be appreciated 💜

It’s tough OP, I struggle as well. What I have found helpful is to completely remove any triggers I can. I now have the world’s most basic watch so nothing tracking my heart rate, got rid of my blood pressure monitor, o2 data monitor, took any health type apps off my phone, and ensured I kept telling social media apps I wasn’t interested in that content so it didn’t pop up on my algorithm. Stopped checking my pulse. Moved my mind on when it starts focusing on anything heart or health related. It takes time and I have relapsed recently but I had a really good period of about 5 years or so where it wasn’t an issue for me, and I think if I follow the same approach I can get back there again. Also try not to get down or frustrated if you have a bad day, it takes a lot of time to retrain your brain not to follow the same thought patterns it has got used to but if you keep working at it things will improve. Best of luck, I’m hoping I can follow my own advice and I’ll be following with interest to pick up any other tips!

Thank you so much. I never wear my fit bit watch now, haven't for months as I was obsessed with the sleep tracker.

My anxiety tends to play up when I'm tired, that's the only thing that really elevates it and if I have a drink the night before. I can watch medical programmes, go to hospitals etc...sometimes I get agitated if it mentions someone young dropping dead of a heart attack (this is my thing as it mirrors what I felt was happening when I had my panic attack). I just get down as I have put so much work into myself I just want to see some light at the end of the tunnel.

How long did it take you to retrain your brain before you had your five years of peace xx

I sympathise so much with anyone that struggles with HA. I've had it for years, although mine is not specifically centered around cardiophobia.
The only things that have remotely helped me are throwing away any medical equipment and stopping googling (or adding the word "anxiety" to any searches).
However, I am going back to the doctor's soon to get advice because mine has been really bad recently and I think I need extra help (I've always been reluctant to take meds but think I might have reached that stage).
I know this hasn't been particularly helpful OP but I just wanted you to know you're not alone, you'd be surprised how many people suffer with this specific form of anxiety.

Can you remember when and why this started @AshleyP15? Finding, and dealing with, the root cause is the best way of resolving it. And in answer to your question, yes, it is absolutely possible to get over it once you know what caused it.

I really hope you do get better soon, it's awful 😞 I know a few people that have it, surprises me it's not spoken about more.

I have not taken any meds, I just know they won't work for me .... I tend to read a lot and learn about health anxiety and how your brain works as that helps me.

Hope you get all the help you need at the drs xx

No, me and my therapist couldn't find the root cause. My nan died suddenly when I was 5, and I was a very poorly child when I was young (up to the age of 3/4) other than that I think it was just googling symptoms as I wasn't looking after myself, overweight, eating junk food, drinking too much etc so I think it stems from that and the Cardiophobia from the experience of the panic attack last year as it mirrored what I imagine a heart attack feels like xx

I have a huge amount of anxiety. Health anxiety was one facet of that when I was younger but medication really calmed my brain in that area. Unfortunately everything else still makes me anxious!

CBT, particularly working on removing ALL reassurance seeking and safety behaviours, particularly pulse checking, ecg monitoring etc plus the introduction of an SSRI (Escitalopram). I got by for years swearing I’d always try without meds but it’s been the thing that has made me feel like me again after many years of suffering. Good luck x

My nan died suddenly when I was 5

Um, as a remedial therapist that's kinda where I'd start.

Is there a reason why?

Yes. Your nan was, I assume, a big part of your life (otherwise her death wouldn't have been the first thing you mentioned, even before your own early ill-health) and therefore her death would have been a huge shock in that crucial part of your life when you are learning at a huge rate but without the capacity to understand what it is you are experiencing. Do you know if her death related to heart issues?

When something like this happens, a part of your mind would develop the belief that death can happen at any time, without warning, and that the consequences are devastating. And that's why you may well be so scared of the same thing happening to you. It's irrational, unless there's a proven genetic link (and even if there is, there are treatment options) but it's there. Does this resonate?

It won't let me reply to your last comment.

Yes that resonates, I never knew exactly how my nan died for years, she died in her sleep. Prior to this she had cancer and other medical issues from what I know. She does of an aneurysm, my heart gear I think is from my panic attack last year.

Maybe I should book some sessions with you 😊

Always happy to have a chat, often that's all that's needed.

I'm so sorry you're suffering with this OP, it's horrible.
My DH had health anxiety which lead to panic attacks and was hospitalised several times with what passers by believed to be heart attack symptoms.

He has been free of this now for a decade.

What worked for him -
Group and individual talking therapy. Individual therapy got to the root of the problem and group therapy made him realise he wasn't alone and share coping strategies.
He took medication. He resisted this at first until he was desperate. It didn't solve the problem but gave him some respite so he was able to concentrate on getting better. The medication only lasted a year and he hasn't taken it for many years now.
He stopped drinking alcohol. Red wine was a real trigger for him
He exercised and did hobbies in the fresh air every day.
We got an allotment and worked together in the fresh air - talking, having a laugh and taking his mind off things.
We told family and friends about the problem...the anxiety of keeping it 'secret' was making him worse. People were very helpful and supportive.

I hope there is something here that helps you and wish you well.

Just one other thing after reading @Eyesopenwideawake 's comment.

One of the triggers for my DH's anxiety was the sudden and unexpected death of a close friend. That feeling that all will be well was disrupted.

Yes, that's very understandable. We worry about everything under the sun but never consider the possibility that we won't see tomorrow. Statistically it's very unlikely - https://www.ssa.gov/oact/STATS/table4c6.html - which is why it comes as such a jolt.