The Physical Symptoms Of It

[EmilyFieche 0]

Hello all. I just really need to talk about all these physical symptoms of anxiety. When I first started going through anxiety several years ago, I thought, "It can't get any worse than this." With the constant worry, I didn't think my anxiety could get worse.

 

As of some months ago, I began having panic attacks, which led to some pretty bad physical symptoms. I could accept that they were due to my anxiety and panic, but recently the physical sensations have gotten so terrible that it's impossible for me to believe it's all from anxiety!

 

Constant chest pains, random numbness in parts of my body, lightheadedness, unexplainable and strange sensations, heart beating so fast it feels as if it's going to stop... Even when I'm not feeling anxious or worried, the physical symptoms persist!

 

It's so hard for me to believe these could be from anxiety, and I can't stop stressing that something might be wrong with me. It just feels like I'm constantly close to death's door. I can't even sleep anymore. As I write this, all I want to do is fall asleep.

 

Can anxiety symptoms actually feel this real and severe? I can't stop worrying about the physical symptoms. I would have never thought they'd be worse than the mental symptoms, but they really are. I just wish my body felt fine again.

[Kylie21 357]

Hi Emily , and yes they can feel so real . When you fixate on them they get worse . For sleep have u tried chamomile tea or melatonin ? The more tired you are the anxiety gets worse . Try Claire weekes book. She has helped me so much . In it she talks about how we may think our heart is going a million beats a minute when if we were to check it's probably like 100 . It's very helpful . Fear is anxieties best friend . Fighting the symptoms make them worse . Everything you have mentioned almost everyone on this site and for sure everyone has had some or most of them . Have you looked into therapy ? Especially cbt changing the way we think. As they say you can't live a positive life with a negative mind . Don't be hard on yourself and know it takes time . Try to stay busy and distracted.  Journaling is a great tool as well .  it will get better

[EmilyFieche 0]

I have tried chamomile, as well as green tea! Both are good ways to help me calm down. It's just so strange to think that all of these physical sensations could develop simply from worry, but I've heard so many others with anxiety describe the same thing. Thank you for your words!

[Kylie21 357]

Anytime  the mind is a powerful thing and fear is a pain in the butt lol. But the moment we stop fearing the symptoms start to lessen . As much of a frustration as it is we are creating the symptoms and we are making them worse . But in saying that we have thr way to stop them too. Accepting them for what they are . Adrenaline rushes . You will get through it  message anytime 

[madtowncard 40]

I've had it real bad in recent weeks only because I'm thinking way too much about what I'm going to do in the future for my family and wanting to stay healthy. I'm 33 year old father of two. I've been dealing with this now for about 16 months and I've felt a lot of different things. I've been flat out afraid for a long time now. But I have my days both good and bad and have committed to really doing the right things to finally get back to recovering.

[Mark G 1177]

It's heart warming to see the progress you have made Kylie.  She is spot on Emily,  you could do worse than read this book.   An eye opener. ☺

[Kylie21 357]

Awe thank u mark .... Lots of inner self searching and building confidence in myself but I so appreciate the encouragement  

[Cassandra 44]

Note green tea is quite acidic.  If any of your symptoms are stomach related stick to just chamomile.  

Madtowncard, that's pretty much all we can do. Small steps.  I intend to use one of the three journals I recently purchased to write myself a job-list every morning. That's when my anxiety is still fast asleep and my mind is clear. Just simple things i want to achieve.  Then try to stick to it.  If I write it down i may just actually do them.

Emily I'm in the same boat with the physical symptoms.  I do have an actual stomach problem which gives chest pains but anxiety also does that.  I find i just can't tell which is which sometimes.  I worry that if i convince myself it's just anxiety I'll ignore something i shouldn't.  I'm assuming you've spoken to your dr about your worries. Keep reminding yourself of what he said. When you don't trust yourself,  trust someone else. Especially with physical symptoms.  If your dr says you're ok, you are.

Here's a few things i do to help my body get over the physical symptoms.  Try yoga or any other slow exercise.  It's good exercise without being cardio so no racing heart that may trigger your anxiety.

Go for a massage. 90% of my own "I'm having a heart attack " symptoms are nothing more than muscle tension. You may not notice it but your body could be tensed all day waiting for a panic attack.  Give those muscles a break. I went for a massage on Thursday.  It hurt. But in a good way. I'm still a little sore but it feels like what it is. Muscle strain. Going back next Thursday! 

Learn how to breathe properly. (Meditation works for me,  i use spotify). Tingling and dizziness is often due to hyperventilation.   Too much oxygen makes it feel like your blood is fizzing.  This will also stop your heart racing. You do need to practice this when not anxious too.

And Mark, I'm in the kylie fanclub too! Not only is she kicking her own anxiety's ass, she's helping kick mine (and others) too. I think she needs a cape ^^