So sorry to hear about your dad and your symptoms, that sounds very tough. I'm very glad to hear you're feeling closer to your "normal" self, I hope that continues.
Anxiety/stress/panic attacks are no joke. I think a lot of us in technical fields discount the "mind" - "it's a brain, it's just a meat computer" - and while I don't ascribe any supernatural aspect to it, the brain/mind can have really powerful impacts on the body.
Just to chime in, it's not only people who work in technical fields.
I had similar symptoms (chest/back pain, lethargy) from stress from the pandemic + overwork a year ago.
And I studied psychology and knew that these things could happen, but when it first happened to me I thought I had heart problems (not likely since no familial history + obvious lifestyle risks).
It went away as soon as I quit and went for some therapy, not because I didn't like the job, but there was no way for me to mentally get away from it.
Anxiety/stress/panic attacks are no joke. I think a lot of us in technical fields discount the "mind" - "it's a brain, it's just a meat computer" - and while I don't ascribe any supernatural aspect to it, the brain/mind can have really powerful impacts on the body.