Helath Anxiety Disorder

I read your post and know how hard it must be for you. As a long-term anxiety and panic disorder sufferer, I have put the physical symptoms down to everything from heart problems to hormones/thyroid- the medical websites only made me think I had everything wrong with me apart from what it is = Anxiety Disorder. I was not leaving the house, phoning in sick for work, only going anywhere if I could clutch on to my partner's arm. I then woke up to the fact that only the doctor could help me. Examinations showed no heart problems causing the palpitations and shortness of breath, along with choking sensation in my throat. These symptoms are classic Panic Attack. I was given various medications, such as Propanalol which calms and slows the heart rate, on a need to take basis. Then was prescribed Cipralex (Escitalapram) - a longer acting anti depressant effective for anxiety. Over a period of weeks, that did kick in and worked for me. I also underwent a 13 week course of CBT therapy. No more panic for several years. So last year I stopped taking it, thinking there was no more need for it. A month or so ago, however, after a period of stress, the palpitations started up again - as well as being short of breath, sweating and blurred vision. One panic attack after another, making me have to take sick leave from work again and hardly able to go out - I cannot drive for fear of an attack, nor even go shopping or to my gym alone. I now am back on Escitalopram, waiting for it to kick back in again (takes some weeks, during which time Diazepam gives instant relaxant during an attack) and get my life back as it was before I stopped taking it. Like you, my partner has a problem with this condition - it is not nice to witness nor live with, as well as me being off work and not earning to help the household expenses. My only social life is people coming to the house. I know it will get better again, but waking up each day wondering if the tightness in my chest is the start of another panic attack is part of the cycle. I can only urge you to get your partner to seek advice, medication and CBT therapy/psychiatric help. Good luck. 

I am getting all the medical appointments/therapy through the NHS via my doctor. I don't understand why you would need to go privately, although some people prefer that options in terms of getting a quick appointment. In fact, today is a big day as it is the first session - at the surgery - with their in-house therapist, to assess my case and discuss referral to either a CBT therapist or mental health professional. I have for years avoided the latter (the 'stigma' of the words mental health), but now I feel if this is going to be a recurring trend in my life I need to get to the root cause to properly deal with it rather than be on medication all my life. It takes a big crisis to launch into the doctor/therapist/specialist circuit and I am sure you and your partner will recognise when that day has come.  

Sounds like it could be depression.  iI have had depression for many, many years, and anxiety goes hand in hand with depression.  Anti depressants did make the depression and anxiety go away.  Last year my doctor got me off the medication, the depression is not too bad, but the anxiety has come back with a vengeance.  Perhaps I should have stayed on the medication.

People do not like to admit that they may be mentally ill, and would find the diagnosis hard to deal with.  Your partner should discuss all his sumptoms with his GP.  If they feel it is physical, or anxiety, and not depression, then at least he has the answer.  

Same thing with me but I'm there one suffering hard for partner she says itsok but it does afectball id love answers too hope u find out ive been trying years can't deal this more be luck what d or take ? And symptoms