Why do I experience chest pain and dizziness at age 18?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have too many questions about my health, and I do not know if they are real problems or if I am just overthinking.

I am 18 years old, and I do not have clear skin, which makes me feel insecure. I also have stretch marks at this age, and they make me worry even more. On top of that, I often feel like I am going to die soon.

My biggest concern is that I frequently experience sudden heart pain. I often feel nauseous, have difficulty breathing, and feel dizzy almost all the time.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern.

You are most likely experiencing body dysmorphic disorder, in which you feel that your skin is not beautiful. It is a psychiatric disorder in which we feel insecurity toward our body parts. These are thoughts that come again and again, and we call them obsessive in nature. In response, we do repetitive acts like body checking or searching online. These behaviors temporarily relieve anxiety, but they are the main reason for maintaining this anxiety.

This disorder is not your fault, and effective management is available, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. In this therapy, you will not only learn how to identify maladaptive thoughts and behaviors but also how to replace them with better thoughts and behaviors.

You are also experiencing illness anxiety disorder, in which someone believes that they will develop a life-threatening illness. It is more commonly associated with panic attacks. I believe these three disorders exist at the same time and therefore need a thorough evaluation.

I want to assure you that these disorders are manageable with a proper treatment plan and appropriate help.

Meanwhile, you can learn some deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation exercises. These will help you overcome anxiety gradually. It takes time, but eventually you will learn to control your anxiety symptoms.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.