Hey all, just wondering if anyone else has advice for this, or has been through something similar.

I’ve had bad anxiety for as long as I can remember. It’s pretty generalized, but specifically crops up in relation to tasks or demands I have to fulfill. It’s also socially related - if I’m on my own, I’m fine like 80% of the time.

In all of these cases, the anxiety isn’t thought-centered. Mentally, I feel like I’m doing pretty okay! But my body just absolutely freaks out, my heart rate skyrockets, skin goes pins and needles, etc. I’ve even passed out before. At its worst, the feeling in my chest physically *hurts, and overall it’s super uncomfortable. 

I was recently at the doctors, and just getting checked in with the nurse, my heart rate jumped from 80-165. As soon as I was being monitored, the anxiety jumped up and once the HR alarm started going off, it just turned into a massive feedback loop! I ended up having an immediate EKG, followed by an echocardiogram - both turned out totally normal, aside from the tachycardia. My doc says it’s stress, and I’m 99% sure she’s right. 


I meditate regularly now, and in the past have been in therapy as well as  having tried all sorts of prescription anxiety meds with no success. Most of these seem to focus on quieting the mind - but I’m left with just a blank mind and my body as anxious as ever, which doesn’t really help! Does anyone have any tips or advice for the physical side of anxiety? Thanks!