Can Anxiety cause death?

Question

I have been having trouble with anxiety for about 3-4 months recently and now one of my phobias, fear of flying, is coming within 48 hours. I have a sedative to take, but what i am worried about is ... can you suffer a heart attack if you freak out too much? I hear you can't, it is just very uncomfortable. I know, it seems like I have more issues than Time Life, but I am an avg guy who has a problem with flying. Thanks for caring and sharing.

Answer 1

I have been suffering with panic disorder for 7 years now. I know that sometimes those attacks make you feel like you're going to die but you're not. What will cause an early death is the stress from anxiety which will weaken heart muscles, raise blood pressure and eventually cause stroke. Also my disorder caused insomnia and that just causes a huge amount of health problems when you're not sleeping. Weight gain, high blood pressure, irritibility, etc. So if you're not already see a counselor. You'll do fine on the plane but I'm in your boat. I have to be unconscience and drooling in order to get a plane. You will be fine though. Stay healthy and take care,  

Answer 2

Anxiety itself will not kill you but it will help to brake down your immune system which in turn will make you ill and so on. So try to relax. Air travel is safer then land travel.  

Answer 3

No. It may make you feel like you are dying but it will not kill you. I have had anxiety for a year and have many fears and I'm still kickin and healthy!! I wish you the best good luck on your flight you will be fine!

Answer 4

First of all, read some info on the internet about fear of flying. There's a ton of info on it. Especially learn how airplanes fly and stay in the air. It really will help.

Secondly, don't take a sedative if you're going on a plane and have this fear. You will be fighting against the sleep as well as the fear.

Just go on the plane and experience the whole journey - fear and all. Ride with the turbulence (if any) instead of pushing against it.

I had a morbid fear of flying once and now I have no fear at all, even in heavy turbulence, just from studying how planes fly.