So what are you doing with the feelings? Are you letting them fester inside?
I'm not just talking about the feelings of anger becuz you are trapped at home by the anxiety....altho that needs to be expressed as well.....but the feelings in general.....feelings from the past that have been unexpressed and suppressed for years.

I have found a few things from my past that have been shoved down for decades that are now surfacing and needing expressing.
I went outside to dig in the dirt today. I cried while digging and was able to mull over the feelings and events.....they helped with the symptoms of anxiety becuz they were being expressed as much as I could.

I didn't realize that I was having cluster headaches and migraines, but my doctor informed me at my last check up that that is what I was experiencing. I do the deep breathing and relaxation for those symptoms which sometimes over laps with signs when my blood sugar drops (I'm diabetic).


I assure you that the things/traumas/stress and or unexpressed feelings that have led you to anxiety....once dealt with (this takes time) will let up for the most part.

I am still struggling with the obnoxious thoughts, but many of my physical anxious symptoms are better.
I had all kinds of stomach issues from gas, bloating, diarrhea, chest pain that was handled with daily Zantac (I think I had told another post Pepcid ac...but was wrong it is Zantac 150 although doc said either one works) and a daily probiotic. I am not on the probiotics from the grocer, but the multi-strand ones. Whole Body Research and Swanson and a few other sites sell these. The vast majority of these symptoms are now gone most of the time.
I get dizzy but don't know what to do for that. Hope this helps.

I can relate as I have a much harder time dealing with the physical symptoms of anxiety than the mental ones. My physical symptoms include dizziness, upset stomach, nausea, redness/hot sensation in my ears and cheeks, feeling as though I am dreaming and/or spaced out, rapid heart beat, and etc. If I experience these symptoms in public places or at work I usually go to the bathroom or my car, close my eyes, and do some breathing exercises. I remind myself that the anxiety is the cause of my physcial symptoms, there is really nothing physically wrong with me, and I am in control of my body (not my anxiety). Or if I am in a situation where I can't remove myself I will find something to focus really hard on (my phone, someone else, a label, anything to just take my mind off how I am feeling). Keeping my anxiety under control is much easier when I keep my mind and body steadily busy throughout the day.

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the insights.

To be honest, I prefer to bury any "negative" emotion that comes up - as my mother taught me! : l

When other people cry, I tell them it's okay. When I cry, I feel like I'm falling apart, having a nervous breakdown or heading into depression. I went through a divorce last year and didn't cry at all - just got IBS from hell for several months.

When I'm scared, I feel like I'm being too much trouble.

Don't even get me started on anger. That's just wrong! (Of course, for others it's okay but if I get angry, it's wrong).

I HATE having a negative emotion. It feels like they just overwhelm me.

So I think you're on to something MsBlank1. I need to express my feelings. New habit to work on. Not really sure where to start...

Hang in there. Today was a mentally easy day for me, but the physical stuff was still there so that made me mental but just about that not all the other random crap.

Right now my face and ears are HOT! My hearts been pounding off and on all night and I jut feel like I have this amount of energy inside me trying to burst out making me antsy. Tried to take a nap but I got my usual 30 minutes of restless waking up on and off sleep.

I read a blog post about there 2 faces of anxiety. (for some)

1 is dealing with the mental crap and the physical stuff isn't noticeable because your too focused on the mind side and the second is having more physical symptoms that your worrying about that the mental stuff that's not the physical symptoms your not freaking out about are there

Did I explain that in a way it made sense? For me I feel that way it's one or the other unless I'm having a panic attack.

Honey......we all have feelings. In fact those of us that suffer from anxiety are probably the most sensitive ppl in the universe. However, we have been conditioned to hide our feelings or put others first.

I remember when I was a child.....I was spanked and if I cried....I was spanked again......
My mother also use to make fun of me if I cried as a small child. She told me I looked ugly when I cried.
When my brother died (we were both teens).....I was bawling my eyes out at his funeral....and my dad leaned over at the service and told me to stop crying.....he told me I needed to be strong for the guests!!!! WTH????
So see......I was conditioned early on to NOT express my feelings.

My grandpuppy died this past Saturday.....had to be put to sleep after being severely injured after being hit by a car. I was with him when they put him down.......so heartbreaking. I have been crying my eyes out every day.....for once.....I am doing what my heart is telling me to do....grieve in the most human way we know.
I know the pain won't be as intense forever.....but for now.....I am going with my feelings of loss and despair. I also have an appointment with my therapist. I know I need to talk out my feelings and cry until I feel better.
I know where the messages came from.....but I don't have to continue with the wrong message. I am human....therefore.....it's ok to cry.....even if I look ugly doing it!

I was also taught that anger was not a safe feeling.....but I now know it is ok as long as it is expressed in the proper manner.
Anger's job is to help move you out of a bad/wrong situation. It is there to make things right.

This is just a little of what I have learned in therapy. Feelings are good.....sometimes they suck.......but there are just as many good feelings than bad. Actually.....there are more good feelings and only a few bad.
Hang in there kiddo.

I always admired the Vulcans (Star Trek) for their ability to suppress emotion. That was always my fondest desire.

I had similar experiences growing up. Crying was punished, being angry was not allowed, etc. I think over-archingly women are encouraged to be scared more than afraid as it's more socially acceptable.

When I do allow myself to feel it is HUGE and I just hate it. So I try to talk myself through any negative feelings - "You don't REALLY feel that way." "Look at the bright side." "If you have an emotion people won't like you." And the overwhelming feeling that if I get angry, I'll get into trouble. Someone won't like me, I'll make a fool of myself pitching a fit and then find out it was actually my own error or the like.

Emotions feel so ENORMOUS! And they're so messy!

I was thinking last night because one of the things I do before I go to sleep - as well as first thing in the morning - is to think of things I am happy about and grateful for. Perhaps I need to begin to consider the range of feelings and ask myself - what am I sad about? angry about? scared of? grateful for? happy about?

I think it's also about taking action. If I'm angry about something, I stew rather than take action. I'm finding my voice more now and need to speak up more and move away from situations that aggravate me.

Thanks again, everyone.

Hugs all around!

sumother - Yes, what you said totally makes sense and it makes me angry that it is multi-layered. You think if you get past the mental part you should be free of anxiety. It's so much damn work!

It's only been recently that I've recognized that even without the presence of the mental stuff - panic, worry or generalized anxiety - the body expresses anxiety that doesn't register mentally.

I prefer to treat the root rather than the symptom but not sure how to get to it. I think awareness of and expression of emotion is certainly an important part.

Glad I'm not on this journey alone.