I used to think I was just dehydrated. Or maybe I’d skipped lunch. But the spinning feeling didn’t go away. The room would tilt a little, my legs felt unsteady, and for a moment I’d wonder if I was about to pass out. Only, I wasn’t sick. It was anxiety. And for a long time,…
One morning, I woke up with this dull, tight sensation right in the center of my chest. It wasn’t sharp, not like in the movies when someone grabs their chest and keels over—but it was enough to send me into full-blown panic mode. I thought, “This is it. Something’s wrong with my heart.” I ended…
There was a time I canceled every social plan for months. I couldn’t explain it—just the thought of being around people made my chest tighten. No one knew because I got good at hiding it. I’d send that “Sorry, not feeling great today” text and hope they didn’t press for details. That’s what anxiety disorders…
When I first realized I might be dealing with more than just “stress,” it hit me in the most unexpected place—at a quiet dinner with friends. My hands were clammy, my chest was tight, and my brain was screaming at me to leave the room immediately. That night, I finally admitted to myself: this wasn’t…
I used to think anxiety was just being “on edge” or feeling nervous before something big. Like that jittery sensation before a job interview or giving a speech in high school. But over time, I learned there’s a massive difference between everyday stress and what’s clinically known as an anxiety disorder. What started for me…
I used to think anxiety was just nervous energy—like being a little tense before a presentation or jittery during turbulence on a flight. But over time, I realized that what I was experiencing wasn’t just nerves. It was anxiety on a deeper level, the kind that starts to interfere with daily life, relationships, even decisions…
It’s strange how anxiety can sneak up on you. I remember standing in line at a grocery store, heart racing, palms sweaty, convinced something awful was about to happen. Nothing did. But the feeling lingered. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed for no clear reason, you’re not alone—and chances are, anxiety has touched your life too….
Can asthma symptoms mimic anxiety attacks? Absolutely—and let me tell you, this overlap is more common than you might think. As a pulmonary nurse practitioner, I’ve had countless patients come in convinced they were having panic attacks, only to discover they were actually dealing with poorly controlled asthma. The flip side? Some were treating asthma…
If you’ve ever felt your heart racing out of nowhere, palms sweaty, breath quickening, and then noticed your blood pressure shoot up, you’re not alone. Blood pressure changes during panic attacks can be confusing and downright alarming, especially when you’re trying to manage hypertension or keep your cardiovascular health in check. I’ve seen countless patients…