Feeling of impending doom

[Bumblesbees]

Not sure if anyone will be able to offer any insight. I haven't been feeling the best for the best part of a year, quite stressed and anxious and worried a lot of the time. I'm also having trouble sleeping and heart palpitations and sweats sometimes.

I haven't gone to the doctor because I don't think i can take the time off work to go, i have had two days holiday this year in January, because the thought of not being at work also makes me anxious. I also can't seem to make myself just phone the GP, and I feel stupid trying to explain what I think is wrong, because i'm just worried all the time but not about anything sensible or specific and I don't know how to communicate that without sounding like an idiot.

The last few days I've just been crippled by this sense of impending doom. I know that sounds dramatic and stupid, but it's literally the only way I can think to describe the way I feel. I have a tight chest and feel hot and a bit tearful. I've not had this weighty feeling before and feel a bit daft.

I just wondered if anyone else had ever had this sort of thing, and whether there you found out the cause?

I had similar, heart palpitations, night sweats, feeling of doom - finally went to gp, had tests for thyroid, and heart, it turns out I have an ectopic heartbeat. In itself not a worry as it’s not uncommon, nor harmful. Since knowing, the impending doom feeling has disappeared. Apparently it’s common to happen, or at least to find out, when you’re nearing peri/menopause (I’m 47). I’d definitely go to the gp and specifically ask for investigations into your heart and thyroid. You have no reason to worry you’re there unnecessarily - I thought the same but they took me seriously, and even when I suggested was it ‘just’ anxiety the gp was very sympathetic to that.

I am 46. Have started to have exact same symptoms. Palpitations, anxious, depressed, weird adrenaline/panic sensations.

have made an appointment!

Thanks for the encouragement, i think it is probably anxiety related, but the nurse I spoke too this morning was very nice and said just come in and they will sort me out.

feel like an idiot for dithering so much about it too.

It’s a very bizarre feeling, isn’t it?!
I had it when starting a new med (Humira) which triggered an adrenaline response, causing feelings of anxiety/impending doom.
It gave me a real insight into feelings of genuine anxiety as I’d been a bit dismissive in the past, but it was horrible.

Sounds like something is triggering this adrenaline response in you (NOT med qualified!) so it’s great that you’ve got an appt to get to the bottom of it.

I had exactly your symptoms a few years back. Turns out it was hormonal and I had entered the peri menopause.

The feeling of impending doom is a classic symptom + inexplicable anxiety etc. It caused by lowering levels of oestrogen.

Sadly the majority of GPs are very ignorant about hormonal anxiety/depression, so you really need to see a specialist to get proper help.

I’m glad you’re getting checked out at the Drs.

In the meantime can you take some holiday. Only having 2 days holiday since January(!) is pretty awful. Please take some time out for yourself

Very common symptom of anxiety , apart from other possible causes. It’s one of the tick boxes on the CBT scoresheet, “feeling that something awful is about to happen”.
Don’t feel silly about it!