I get this, as hard as it sounds I ignore it. I will put my iPod on and force myself to dance, or just work as normal. It seems as though as soon as I distract myself it goes away.

Hiya. I had this on and off for the last 15 yrs or so. Most modern clinicians refer to it as Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). I developed this after having a few Panic attacks when i was 18 or so and have had episodes of it ever since. They can last anywhere between a few months and a year in my experience. When they pass I can be fine for years.

My 'episodes' often follow a period of significant changes, like some kinda after-shock thing!

When i'm having one (like now - though i think its going!) i feel worried and anxious all the time for no apparent reason, small things can make me really anxious even panic. It's horrible, i often feel like i'm going crazy.

Recently I've learned that constantly trying to 'figure it out' and 'fight it' just makes it worse. Recovery comes when you accept it and stop caring about it. Read my profile and journal for some of the things which have helped me.

There is alot of help and advice around have a browse.

Try to remember that yr not going crazy and anxiety cannot harm you no matter how bad it feels. Much of it we create ourselves by worrying about the fact we're anxious and all the strange physical and mental symptoms we get.

OMG, it's like you're living my life. I've only been up for a couple of hours and have already run back to bed 7 times trying to get back to sleep to get away from the feeling that something is wrong. I feel so overwhelmed! I HAVE to clean my house today. There will be people in in tomorrow, but I just can't get started cause I KNOW that I'll do it wrong...hell, it's only a small trailer how can I clean it wrong but I know I will...I've been trying for 2 weeks to mail my brother his birthday and Xmas gifts overseas, but can't go out of the house, Why? I don't know...I'm not sick, I'm not crazy, I just KNOW that I'm WRONG....that I'll do everything wrong.....I don't feel safe for some reason...my heart is pounding just writing this. It's so stupid...I've always been depressed but never anxiety like this until after my boyfriend left me...jeez I'm in my 50's I should have the ovaries to be able to get in my car and just go, or just clean my damn house instead of hiding from the bogey monster...WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME? HELP??????PLEASE

my anxiety always flares up for no reason - i'm just not thinking about anything, everything is totally normal, and then this 'physical' anxiety will hit, an its like my body has been taken over. nice if your able to 'ignore' it but if your anything like me, an you feel so physically ill with it, all u can do is lay down, then its really tough, cos if u dont no the trigger how can u stop it, sorry i dont know how to help u deal with it! i find u just hav to ride the storm an wait 4 it to pass! great eh!?
Northstar, isnt GAD a condition where u 'worry' yourself into a state of anxiety? like worry excessivly bout normal stuff? cos i think wot this gal is trying to say is that she has axniety symptoms but aint thinking about owt? an thats me too, i just think please let this end soon, it honastly comes from nower vicky xxx hope your 'episode' is on its way out luvi, lol,think of christmas!!

Vix, GAD is the modern term for 'free floating anxiety' at least that's wot i learned when i did my psychology degree. Not sure how useful the terms are really. Most people experience a mix of anxiety disorders, its all part of one big ANXIETY thing really! xx

It sounds to me like you have generalized anxiety disorder. What you might want to do is keep a journal of what you were doing right before the anxious thoughts happened, and see if you can find a pattern.

thanks for the ideas, I have been keeping a journal, it really does appear out of nowhere! Theres no fear, no anger, no pain, not even an upcoming situation that could make me anxious! I just suddenly notice that i feel really shaky and like something bad is going to happen, even tho its quite clearly not!
xxx