Is there something wrong with me?

PrairieMom wrote: Lately I have been getting really freaked out about death. I have no idea what has triggered it, if it was turning 30, or that super horrible night that I had at work the other night or what, but I have been having panic attacks about it. At least I think they are panic attacks. I get a little jolt in my tummy, get goose bumps, dry mouth , and right away I get nervous gut ( Diarrhea)

The other night I got the thought hit me that this could be my last night on earth. i could totally die tomorrow, and I got so scared that I ended up spending quite a while in the bathroom in a total panic. I'm also super scared that I have cancer or something like that. I look for symptoms in everything. I'm scared to talk to my dr's in case they have bad news for me, but scared to not talk to someone in case they can catch something early and save my life. I don't even have any symptoms or anything. Other than this stupid thrush stuff.

I am kinda embarrassed to talk to my DH about it, he blows it off like I am crazy or something. he says he has never once had a fear of dying.
I get scared that something will happen to my kids too. Is this normal? just a phase or something? or a symptom of something else?

lisar replied: I think it is completley normal for you to feel that way sometimes especially in the line of work you do. It will pass.

amymom replied: Oh Tara, I am sorry you are feeling this way. And as for you DH he ought to spend a day in your shoes. What with what you have put up with with this Thrush, and work and running a household.

I think the 'panic' may be normal. But I would talk to the doctor about it. When my depression kicks in I panic and worry alot more.

lesliesmom replied: I have the same fear too and lately it has been getting worse. I know exactly what you're talking about. That heavy pressure on the chest, the sick stomach (I'm getting it now just writing). I wish I had some advise. It's a fear I've had my entire life (now 35). There were years where I guess I just never thought about it but something recently, and I don't know what the trigger, has set it off again. I guess I have no advise but I wanted you to know you are not alone (and it's nice to know I'm not either)

lovemy2 replied: I don't think I have ever actually had a panic attack because of it but I do get strange obsessions/fears about death and dying - me, my kids, my DH, my mom usually when I am super stressed - or I should say more stressed than normal...

It is a serious fear and it could be a residual side effect of what you recently saw at work but if it doesn't go away I would talk to someone about it......

C&K*s Mommie replied: I have no advice, but I hope it becomes some solace knowing that you are not alone in feeling this way.

A&A'smommy replied: Don't feel too bad I do the same thing sometimes and I have since I was young.. I don't really know why.. but I do have major panic attacks about it sometimes Anyway if its all the time i would talk to your doctor about it, it could be something else like anxiety that you need meds for.. dh had to take meds for anxiety attacks for a while and every once in a while he needs them again.. its not out of the ordinary!!

PrairieMom replied: So how do I know if my anxiety levels are normal and just to be dealt with, or if they are acutally something I need to be treated for?

C&K*s Mommie replied: no expert here, others would probably know better than me. But I would think that if it interferes with your normal life from day to day, that would warrant a serious talk with your doc who can suggest things. By the sounds of it, you should talk with him. If may progress and get worse, or it may not. A talk with him/her would not be a bad idea at this point.

hopefulmomtobe replied: I get anxiety attacks that act just like that...I have fears of different sorts like something happening to the kids or my husband leaving me or me finding out that he cheated on me....stress brings it on for me.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Tara, could it be PPD? I know that it seems to long ago that you gave birth, but I read recently that PPD can hit even after the first year mark. So don't rule it out. Having anxiety, panic, and overall fear that something may happen to you and your kids seem like obvious signs to me. I hope you don't take offense to that. I'm certainly no doctor, but I would maybe talk with your OB or GP about it. Are you taking anything that may be throwing your hormone levels off a bit? I just spoke with my doc about all my anxiety issues, depression, etc. And he said sounds like just a lot of stress Rae which doesn't combine too well with hormones (I'm taking BC and nursing). I don't get panic attacks, but I went through the "I seriously have cancer" fear about a week ago.

Take care of yourself! Don't let others bring you down for your feelings. Only you know what's truly happening in your head. I thought my doctor was going to laugh and think I'm crazy too, but he didn't.

luvmykids replied: I go through phases similar to that, I'm not afraid of dying just not knowing it's coming, kwim? I spent a year convinced that I had cancer and it had just been missed and that by the time I found out it would be too late and I wouldn't have had enough time to say goodbye...

I get chest pains and thought it was due to smoking, when I quit they actually got worse and I was absolutely certain that I had all manner of things, from cancer to heart problems....finally went to the doc and it turns out they are in fact due to anxiety. I would talk to your doctor just to see what they suggest, it's normal I think but certainly not a pleasant way to live

Farelle replied: I think it's another joy of getting older (not that 30 is old bc I am older than you!) And having kids triggers it too. I find now that I am a Mom I worry about things ALL the time, what if something happens to me and my kids don't have their mom, what is something happens to them (much worse!) what is something happens to my family......the list goes on. I think it's normal and hopefully the panic attacks will pass, but you should prob talk to your doctor about it, or maybe counseling to help you ease your worries. Good luck!!!

jcc64 replied: It is a manifestation of an anxiety disorder. There are all different kinds- not just panic attacks, which tend to be acute and short lived. If you have a persistent feeling of doom or dread, it could be generalized anxiety disorder. Google it- it's pretty common, especially for women. I have it- sometimes it's worse than others, but I eventually decided to take meds because I calculated that I have these feelings approx two weeks out of every month, and that's too much time wasted on worrying. In my case, it was the right call. Good luck, and

boyohboyohboy replied: I dont think there is anything wrong with you. and I dont think it really needs to be classified as a "name". working in a field where you see death alot, as I have, you tend to think about mortality. and it could have been your birthday that set it off, although 30 is not old by any means, but I think its a totally normal reaction to a really bad weekend you had. and you have kids, and thinking about the end is scary. I go through times like this to. I think if it doesnt pass then maybe u could ask a dr about it if it was still causing physical symptoms, it might just be u need someone to talk too, ask DH to just listen....