Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Can I Work Out Inspite Of Having Anxiety And Panic Attacks?
Question: I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. I want to get back into working out. What will happen to my heart, breathing while working out and also having panic attack. I have high anxiety about working out because of what could happen...heart attack, hyperventalating etc.
Brief Answer:
starting antianxiety drugs will help
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You have anxiety and panic attack disorder which is characterised by unnecessary worries regarding health and various situations. So, if you are not taking any drug about the same, it will cause more problem. The drugs like sertraline or paroxetine or venalafaxien are good in such cases.
You have not mentioned the duration of this problem, which could have helped in deciding the course of treatment.
The problem in anxiety disorder is not in heart..so, a person can do work out..but till anxiety is not treated properly with anti anxiety meds, there can be symptoms of breathlessness etc while exercising which will simulate heart ailment. So, in actual there is no cardiac problem but it feels like one.
You should meet a psychiatrist atleast once and discuss the above meds and start them. You will have good relief n all anxiety and panic symptoms within few days of starting them.
Wish you good health.
Please ask more questions for clarifications.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
starting antianxiety drugs will help
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You have anxiety and panic attack disorder which is characterised by unnecessary worries regarding health and various situations. So, if you are not taking any drug about the same, it will cause more problem. The drugs like sertraline or paroxetine or venalafaxien are good in such cases.
You have not mentioned the duration of this problem, which could have helped in deciding the course of treatment.
The problem in anxiety disorder is not in heart..so, a person can do work out..but till anxiety is not treated properly with anti anxiety meds, there can be symptoms of breathlessness etc while exercising which will simulate heart ailment. So, in actual there is no cardiac problem but it feels like one.
You should meet a psychiatrist atleast once and discuss the above meds and start them. You will have good relief n all anxiety and panic symptoms within few days of starting them.
Wish you good health.
Please ask more questions for clarifications.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
