Hi everyone,

I have been feeling okay lately, still have moments of anxiety.

Had a moment this morning about how fast my heart was beating, I had my arms folded and for a brief moment it felt like my pulse was high, this instantly put me in panic mode and have been anxious ever since.
my biggest phobia is my heart rate and I have to constantly resist taking my pulse as it was taking over my life.
Another thing is, it seems I don’t feel anxious yet I am always vigilant regarding my heart rate, seems to always be in the back of mind - ironically my heart rate seems higher since taking my BP meds, even though my BP had gone down to normal, also every time I see my doc my heart rate is in the normal range and makes me feel I going mad, I’ve also had all the tests and all have come back normal - yet I still cannot shake this anxiety, is there anyone out there who has the same or similar thing??

Hi Bulldogbobby73, 

We can hear how scary that must be. Even if you know you are well, it doesn't make the anxious thoughts any less difficult. You're not alone in experiencing these kinds of feelings, and we hope you've found some comfort in that around the forums.  

Here are some tips users have shared in the past for managing anxiety, in case you find anything helpful there. If you would like to talk to someone we'd encourage you to reach out to the Beyond Blue Support Service. We are available 24/7 by phone on 1300 22 4636 or you can use our webchat or email. One of our friendly counsellors will be able to talk through these feelings with you. They're really good at supporting people through panic or distress, right in the moment. We'd also recommend keeping your doctor updated so that they can support you with how you're feeling and talk through your anxieties and frustrations. 

We're really glad you could share this here; we hope you feel less alone in doing so. Hopefully, some of our lovely community will be around soon to share similar experiences. 

Kind regards,  

Sophie M  

Hi Bulldogbobby73’s, I don’t know if my story will help at all.

I have recently been diagnosed with severe anxiety. I often don’t recognise that I am anxious until I feel like my heart is racing out of my chest. Before I started seeing a psychologist, it use to make me panic that something was wrong. since I started seeing my therapist who has me doing some amazing grounding techniques, it has dramatically improved. The grounding technique I like the best is to get an analogue clock or watch and count the numbers to 12 with a breath. So breathe in, count one breathe out, breathe in count two breathe out, continue around the clock as many times as you like till your calm.

Don’t know if this will help, but from my experience I would suggest a therapist to help you with coping strategies.
I hope this helps, anxiety is not fun, but it can be managed.

Hi Bulldogbobby73,

Sorry you have been feeling this way in regards to your heart rate…

I highly recommend you see your gp and do a mental health together this will enable you to see a psychologist who can give you many strategies for anxiety……

I understand anxiety I had severe anxiety OCD…… I would go to my doctor with symptoms I thought I had and my doctor would tell me everything was ok…. This was a compulsion of mine I was seeking reassurance to try to bring my anxiety down…….. after doing an 8 week therapy for my OCD I no longer do this…… I learned what my OCD cycle was and disengage from it……. It was an exhausting cycle when I was caught up in its grips……

here to chat 😊

Thank you both for Kitty1991 and Petal22 for your replies, it means a lot that I am not alone.

Kitty1991 - this is the most unsettling thing I’ve had, I am anxious but don’t even realise it, even when I feel relatively normal I am constantly aware of my heart rate to the point I am scared to feel my pulse in case it is too fast and it feels the more it goes on the more numb I am to it but am still anxious, does this make sense?? What sort of things do you think when you go through this?

Petal22 - this sounds exactly what I do, I am seeing my doctor this afternoon for a doctors report I need for the C19 vaccine and always have my BP taken, which also measures heart rate, I need that re-assurance from him that I am not unwell to make me feel better but that wears off and I need another excuse to go see him and it goes on.

I have mental health plan with him and am going to see a psych on Monday and hopefully things will improve.

Again thank you for your replies.

That’s ok Bulldogbobby73,

Thats great you are doing a mental health plan with your gp…… and seeing a psychologist……… well done 👍 if it is OCD that you have a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose this a normal psychologist can’t……..

OCD is a vicious cycle……… you CAN learn to break free of its grips as I have……. I did meta cognitive therapy I believe it’s the best for OCD……. Your not alone many people have this condition and it’s very treatable!

Yes we can get a little relief by re assurance seeking but it’s a compulsion…. The anxiety returns because OCD is a vicious cycle….. once you stop doing the things that keep you in your cycle the anxiety will dramatically reduce…… in therapy you can learn what keeps you in your cycle and disengage from the cycle……. You CAN learn to do this with the correct help…… I’m here if you ever need………

I highly recommend meditation try to do one every day…… one for learning to watch your thoughts……… We aren’t our thoughts we are the watcher of our thoughts……..

Also practice mindfulness when you have the thoughts just put your attention on something in the present moment like if you are driving your car… how does the car sound? What can you see on the road…… practice putting your attention on these things and not inside your head…..

here to chat ….you will get through this just keep persevering 💪