- Date posted
- 2y
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 2y
Anxiety from the ocd has caused palpitations for me
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 2y
I think that this can be very common in those experiencing OCD or anxiety, or stress in general. What helps me when I get this way is splashing cold water on my face and trying deep breathing techniques.
- Date posted
- 2y
Yes sadly. I’ve tried retyping this so many times because i wanted to share my story but didn’t want to scare or even aggravate your OCD with my story.. so I guess I should put ahealth concern OCD trigger warning first. < But yes and if you think it is something you need help with you should talk to a heart doctor and get the proper testing done to see what’s going on. Our mental health definitely impacts our physical health, and our heart is something that will def react to our stress, anxiety, or trauma. I went through a very traumatic experience and afterwards developed a heart condition called tachycardia as well as irregular beat/palpations. They found out by having me use a heart monitor for a month and anytime I’d felt like it was irregular I’d record my heart rate with it. I had to take beta blockers (medication to lower Herat rate) for a year and really work through my trauma before I found any relief. During the hard year as I call it I found that if I got scared suddenly, or my emotions got too extreme, or otherwise I’d found myself in a bad situation- my heart rate would get so high I would faint. One time I fainted and went face first down onto a metal tool, don’t wanna get into the details of that but I’m definitely scarred from the event. Nowadays I don’t take the medication, but can still occasionally find myself sensitive and having moments of my emotions affecting my heart. I have to be pretty careful unfortunately if I don’t want to experience symptoms still; I love coffee and nicotine but I had to slow down/stop because of how it’d affect my heart and I really stay away from situations or events I know that may be triggering for me unless I have a safe person with me. Deep breathing and immediately removing yourself from whatever was causing your heart rate to become irregular/spike your anxiety is the best call, laying back and taking away any stimuli also helps. I sit in my car with the seat back in silence doing deep breathing until I can physically tell my heart rate is lowered (I also have a $40 heart monitor from CVS that I use if needed). I’m supposed to be going to my cardiologist regularly but I don’t got no money for that so I’m just self soothing the symptoms physically until I can get the mental health help I need to really help my symptoms and find relief. I know once I get my mental health in order my physical health should also get a bit better.
- Date posted
- 2y
@Ahgeezrick Also arms above your head with the deep breathing during an attack, also tmi but if you have anything that is constructing your chest (for me it’s always the damn bra) take it off!! Try to relieve any pressure or weight that may be against your chest and raise your arms so that there is less pressure/stress on your veins/cardiovascular system so your heart doesn’t have to work as hard to pump blood.
Related posts
- Date posted
- 23w
i just wanted to give a little shout out to my somatic ocd folks —- i have it too! some people might call it “hypochondria” but i have a fixation with my heart. im young and healthy, but convinced i’m going to have a cardiac despite seeing a cardiologist and having a full evaluation. he tells me my heart is fine. with my ocd, my biggest fear is — what if i get so scared i have a heart attack? what if _____ happens, and then it causes me to have a heart attack from fear? i just want to remind you all that OCD cannot hurt you. what’s in your mind and thoughts cannot harm your body. it can make you experience symptoms or panic, adrenaline and things like that, but OCD is not going to hurt you. and you’re not crazy! much love to this community — y’all are so strong!
- Date posted
- 23w
i just wanted to give a little shout out to my somatic ocd folks —- i have it too! some people might call it “hypochondria” but i have a fixation with my heart. im young and healthy, but convinced i’m going to have a cardiac despite seeing a cardiologist and having a full evaluation. he tells me my heart is fine. with my ocd, my biggest fear is — what if i get so scared i have a heart attack? what if _____ happens, and then it causes me to have a heart attack from fear? i just want to remind you all that OCD cannot hurt you. what’s in your mind and thoughts cannot harm your body. it can make you experience symptoms or panic, adrenaline and things like that, but OCD is not going to hurt you. and you’re not crazy! much love to this community — y’all are so strong!
- Date posted
- 18w
I had a horrible thought and it was my own thought. I feel awful. Also my heart is racing all the time
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