Anxiety?

Hi everyone, I am new, I am looking for answer or direction, I am 33, mom of 2 kids. For the last year I have had these episodes of feeling like I can't breath, I have gone to dr and they have listened to my lungs, checked my oxygen, sent me to have my heart checked and everything is fine, I am seeing a pulmonary dr next week. Why I am thinking this is anxiety is because when I feel like I can't breath I start to yawn to get more air but the minute my mind is occupied with soemthing I am fine. I can feel like this sometimes for a few hours or 2 days, then I think about it even more which I think makes it worse because I focus on my breathing, I am also a constatnt worrier, I get a pin in my chest arm, etc I think I am having heart attack, fear of dying and leaving my kids. I don't feel anxious at these times but I think I am subcinsciously(it that makes sense) Has anyone felt like this before? I am thinking of calling a pysch for an eval, Can you advised which is best a pyschiatrist or pychologist? What is the difference? Thanks for any insight you can provide

Yes it does sound like it could be anxiety.. Having a tight chest, unable to breathe, the worry of having a heart attack because you get numbness etc in the extremeites, or pins and needles as well. Considering that your doctor gave you the tests and things turned out fine, I think it is possble that it is anxiety. Only a doctor can really give you the diagnosis of course.

I suffer from anxiety, and have had those symptoms... worrying is something that can cause anxiety as well, i'm also a constant worrier.

I'm personally seeing a psychiatrist and she has been extremely helpful, i've been with her now for over 8 yrs.

Similarites: Both Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatrists can provide psychotherapy and counselling services.

Both Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatrists are trained to diagnose neuropsychological disorders and dysfunctions plus psychotic, neurotic and personality disorders and dysfunctions. Both professionals are granted the right to make such diagnoses by law while other health care providers cannot.

Both Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatrists help people maintain and enhance their physical, intellectual, emotional, social and interpersonal functioning.


Differences

Psychologists have earned a doctoral level degree (Ph.D., Psy.D., or D.Ed.) in Psychology, after having obtained a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree in Psychology. This amounts to at least nine years of university education and training in psychology. Psychiatrists have a general medical degree first (4 years at the undergraduate level) and then advanced training in psychiatry (usually 4 years residency after the M.D. degree).

Psychologists can do psychological testing with well-researched tests. Psychiatrists typically do not do psychological testing.

Psychiatrists can prescribe medication, while in Ontario, Psychologists cannot.

Psychologists are regulated by the College of Psychologists of Ontario while Psychiatrists are regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

This was obviously from an ontario canada website, but it pretty much goes for all doctors, I had a better description some where but I was unable to find it, if I do I will post it.

*edit*

What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have a specialization in psychiatry. They are able to prescribe medication, which is generally an integral part of their treatment regimen. A referral from your family physician is needed in order to see a psychiatrist.

Psychologists may receive training in counselling and psychology through a variety of programs. In Alberta, psychologists must meet the educational and clinical requirements of the College of Alberta Psychologists.

Psychologists are not qualified to prescribe medication. If the psychologist suspects that medication would be helpful in treatment, a referral is generally made to the client’s family physician or psychiatrist.

Appointments with psychologists can be made directly by the individual seeking assistance and do not require a medical referral.

Hi debbier

Yes i have suffered exactly what you are going thro for nearly 10 years now. It started, i believe as post partum depression. I have since discovered, that i get this anyway at times of great stress.
Like you, i was terrified of dying and leaving my kids. I used to have really big panic attacks that took hours of pacing to come down from. I learned to deal with it, I thought i was going mad. I have had many anxiety free years from it and now deal with it only in a mild form (at this time due to recent stress), but it is not the bain of my life like it used to be.
You need to learn to control the panic attacks. Remember that when you panic, your brain releases addrenalin, its what makes you so hyped up for sometimes hours afterwards. You need to learn that these attacks will not hurt you. They are actually there as an in-bred defence from when you need to flee from something dangerous.
You need to learn to distract your mind as quickly as possible and not become hypersensitive to what your body is doing (i.e your breathing etc).
I used to sing, the same line or verse from a song over and over and over, and concentrate on just that. Or, get stuck into a book. If you have someone who can support you, ask them to just talk to you, over and over about anything that will distract you.
It would probably be helpful to go to the dr. He may be able to give you something that you can take to calm you if the situation becomes out of control. I only took the tablets a couple of times, as i developed a phobia to taking tablets (yeh i know sounds daft!)
but you do need to learn how to do this yourself.
I actually got cross with myself in the end and would and do sometimes tell myself to stop being so silly.

Dont be scared. I know its horrible when you are going through it. You will be ok. Also, take time out for yourself for relaxation and pampering - try to get regular sleep, and eat well. (hard i know when your stomach is in knots!) Hard with kids i know, i had 3 all under 5.
I hope this is of some help. You arent alone. Take care