I have a question.

[panicbegone]

Hi everyone. I know that I have the panic disorder, I was diagnosed by a doctor. I was just wondering if these fews things happen to any of you guys/or gals.

Well sometimes my heart skips beats or flutters. I was wondering if that happens to you all?
And sometimes, when I sleep it's like my heart stops. Does that happen either?
Also, When I stand up, my heart starts to beat real fast, even if I am just walking to the restroom.
One more thing... I was just wondering if if any of you have any arm pain, or more than regular heartburn?
I feel like my heart beats funny most of the time Now, and I am not sure why.

I have been to the doctor, and they did the echo, so I really don't think that there is anything wrong with my heart, but I was just wondering if any of these things have happened to you.

Thanks for your time...

[bcrazy]

Yes...all of it. I've had several tests done, too, and all clear!

[grayday23]

when i'm really scared or near panic mode, my heart beats funny too...i knw what you mean about standing up and feeling your heart race, i get that alot.

[ocdengineer]

These are called palpitations and a lot of people have palpitations as a symptom of panic.  I believe that due to your hypersensitivity to feelings in your body created by panic attacks that you notice your heart isn't a constant beat.  That is normal for everyone.  Most people will miss beats or have increases in heart rate and decreases in heart rate constantly throughout the day.  People with panic disorder are just a lot more aware of this and it becomes source of fear.  There is nothing to fear.  There are relaxation techniques that can train you to either increase or decrease your heart rate.  I use meditation to do this and focused relaxation techniques.  By learning that I actually have some control over my heart rate, that fear was gone.  Panic Disorder is a pain in the butt though because it will usually make your fears change when the first one is gone or manifest itself in a different way.  This is why continued meditation or CBT is very helpful.  The more tools you have in the bag, the more likely you are to dismiss the random intrusive thought or the random adrenaline rush.  If I were you, I would practice meditation or at least relaxation and learn to control your heart beat to some extent.  Also, palpitations are absolutely harmless unless you area candidate for heart disease.  If you have a lot of the warning sings for heart disease then it wouldn't hurt to see a doctor once.  Make sure you trust his opinion and then work from there.

Take care,
OE

[angela52884]

Hello. I have also had all of the feelings you are describing. I always worry because sometimes if I just walk up the stairs, my heart is racing. Sometimes when I am sleeping I jolt awake and freak out b/c it for some reason I get the feeling that my heart isnt beating and Im checking my pulse to make sure. Anyways, all of those feelings scare me also!!

[pete68]

Palpitations and arrhythmia are pretty common with anxiety. Skipped beats are very common. I had these symptoms and more. My worst panic attack left both of my arms so tingly and numb that I couldn't even feel my pulse. I was totally freaked out. It's amazing how physical the panic can get. It's not very easy, but if you read enough and learn enough, you can eventually come to realize that there's no real danger. That doesn't make the panic go away. Unfortunately, it's really hard to rationalize it away. But it does help.