Cant stop checking my pulse!!! - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

richdaws1984 · 02-15-2005, 10:05 AM

Hey, ive recently been told ive got SVT, which is a problem where your heart beats real fast for no reason. (it can be really scary when it happens and feels like your having a heart attack or something) Im on tablets to help.

I also have mild anxiety which is mainly bought on by myself when i get anxious about being anxious.

Anyway at the minute i cant stop checking my pulse. I check it like every hour or whenever it springs into my mind. If its fast then i panic and then it gets faster so i panic more, etc...

I cant stop checking my pulse and its driving me mental.

I also get really nervous about going out socially. Its not that a have a social phobia, what im nervous/anxious about is if my fast pulse gets worse and i have an SVT attack when im out and i cant get help.

How can i get these thoughts about my pulse out of my mind? When i notice my fast pulse i get all panicy and lightheaded and stuff. Im sure if i could do this i wouldnt be anxious at all.

thanks

*music23* · 02-20-2005, 11:58 AM

I must say I don't have a lot of advice for you, but I saw that nobody had responded to your post after awhile and I wanted you to know that nobody is purposefully ignoring you!
Everyone's OCD is different. Some people have very seemingly random ones. All are annoying and disturbing. Have you been diagnosed with OCD? From what you describe, maybe you might want to see if you can get some anxiety meds first. That may solve the problem. If the compulsive symptoms continue, then maybe try an OCD med, but I think maybe you are mostly anxious.
Kristina

pheobe13 · 02-20-2005, 02:46 PM

Hey Rich,

I used to check my pulse constantly. I didn't have any diagnosed condition or anything but my heart kept beating like crazy and skipping beats for no particular reason, like it would feel like it'd stopped then there'd be a big thump and it was off again. I later realised that this was caused by my breathing funny when I was worried about it!

The thing is that I'm still here now typing this. My heart never stopped. Well not yet anyway.

If you think that all you are doing by checking your pulse is making something happen. You're putting your body into 'fight or flight' mode. At the end of the day, if your heart actually stops you're gonna know about it. Checking your pulse is not gonna help.

Did the doctor say your heart thing is life threatening? I've never heard of it.

Assuming it's not and it's just that your heart gets a bit fast sometimes then you have nothing to worry about except the worry itself.

I used to think "right, this has happened hundreds of times and I'm still here." Then make myself wait it out at least ten minutes at which point sometimes I would check my pulse but eventually I was just like "right, it's been ten minutes and I'm not dead so therefore nothing drastic is happening." and calm down a bit. Then wait another 10mins and watch some telly or something to chill out a bit.
I know you don't have the panic thing as such but you could try and use this. I don't know anyone else who does this but it worked for me.

Just make yourself wait it out in blocks of 10mins or whatever. Eventually you'll feel silly for worrying.

Having said that I do still check my pulse sometimes. I did it yesterday and I couldn't find one! Nearly gave myself a panic attack over nothing! I'm still here.

Thank you for replying to my post in anxiety by the way. I know it's a bit hypocritical to give out advice when I'm not sorted myself, but I have managed my panic attacks and stuff so I'm getting there!

Also someone posted in anxiety that your heart might actually be healthier from having a bit of a workout!

Well hope any of that helps...

Toribelle · 02-23-2005, 11:38 AM

I have MVT (Mitral Valve Prolapse) so sometimes my heart gets crazy and starts racing like that too. One of my chardeologists taught me a technique that's a life saver for that feeling.

I know this doesn't help with you obsessing about your pulse - but at least I can help with something maybe??

Anyway - if you bear down as hard as you can - like pretend you are lifting a very heavy weight and tense your whole body up - it kind of restarts your heart. When your heart starts to race - try it and it will help to get rid of that feeling.

Tori

batigerqt89 · 04-22-2005, 10:52 AM

i do this too...all the time and it can be brought on by a panic attack!