Suffering From Anxiety, Panic Disorder, MVP And Rapid Heartbeat. What Treatment Should Be Done?

Posted on Sat, 18 Aug 2012

Question: Hello..my name is XXXXXXX I have had anxiety/panic disorder for 20 years. I can control it pretty well and am not afraid of it anymore and I have come to accept it. My problem is this...I have been waking up at night (about 1 1/2 hours into sleep) with rapid heartbeat. It is very frightening. I am 43 years old, I weigh 118 pounds and am 5'4" tall. Last checkup ( January) my bp was 118/72, cholesetrol 140, thyroid good, blood work came back normal. The only medical condition I have is MVP (diagnosed at 20). I appreciate your time. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Susanta Padhy (11 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXXX

The phenomena that you are describing can be night mare/night terror, panic attack or can be because of MVP, too.

What medications are you on now ?

Can you tell me what type of anxiety disorder diagnosis your doctor had given you ?

What all various treatments did you undergo all these 20 years

Do you have snoring at night and what is latest your Body mass index ?

I look forward to your reply for answering your concern further

Thank you for coming to health care magic

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Susanta Padhy (6 minutes later)

Hello Dr. Padhy,
I am not on any medications and I was diagnosed with GAD. I have tried medications to no avail. I do not snore at night unless my sinuses are acting up. I do not know my body mass index.
Thank you, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Susanta Padhy (17 minutes later)

If the diagnosis is GAD, then, yes I would agree with you partly, in many, medications alone dont help satisfactorily.

Alternatively, or in combination with medication, Relaxation therapies and Cognitive behavior therapy help.

Your sleep problem, I feel most likely related to this GAD.

As you dont have snoring, knowing BMI may not have relevance. It is O.K.

I think no need to panic, try some relaxation therapy and go to your bed without any preoccupation of "sleep phenomena"

Hope this answer is useful and wish you a sound sleep

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Susanta Padhy (3 minutes later)

Thank you Dr. Padhy.

Answered by Dr. Susanta Padhy (1 hour later)

Thanks, XXXXXX, enjoy your life

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar