Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

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NikkiInTheDesert
NikkiInTheDesert

I started having panic attacks when I was 19 years-old. Now at 32, I have them completely under control and have never utilized medication to controll my symptoms and have on average, 1-3 horrible attacks per year.  However, as of lately, I have noticed my anxiety has taken on a different form, it's rather hard to explain, however, the best way I can describe it is a feeling of foggy, lethargic, disconnect and it happens when I'm emotional and in a bad space. Yesterday a guy that I was really starting to like told me he met someone in his area. When we first met, we agreed to have a sexual relationship only, nonetheless, we never got to the physical part. We just seen each other a few times and texted each other almost everyday. Anyways, as soon as he told me he met someone else all the symptoms started and has not stopped, I keep hearing "it's just you're anxiety" when I start to have these symptoms and my rational mind knows this, however, I can't help be keep wondering if it's perhaps something else, something more serious. So, my question is, do anyone else experience anxiety with the same symptoms I mentioned? 

Onlythelonely
Onlythelonely
It sounds like PTSD or a form of shock response. When something traumatic happens (or we fear it is going to happen) our body goes into shock to protect itself. I think your brain is shutting down to avoid feeling pain and having to deal with what is going on. I have suffered with anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, etc. for a long time. I have learned so much about what triggers it. I read Change Your Brain, Change Your Life by Daniel G. Amen M. D., and ReThink How You Think by Dr. David Stoop. Both of these books taught me that anxiety and depression and emotions come from our thinking. When we change what and how we think, we are able to calm ourselves. Praying you are able to overcome these new symptoms.
NikkiInTheDesert
NikkiInTheDesert
That's interesting because I am dealing with whats going and my hurt feelings. Could you provide a bit more context ? Are you implying that my anxiety is trying to protect me?
Chris.Kilg
Chris.Kilg
I'm wondering if it's something like depersonalization? I have experienced this--it kind of feels like I'm in a dream or robotic, like I'm going through the motions but don't have much control over them, or even like I'm watching myself. It definitely feels like a disconnectedness from your body. I experienced this more when I was depressed, but have gotten spells of it now and then related to anxiety. I'm wondering if it sounds similar to you?
Rippelk2
Rippelk2
Can I ask how you controlled your anxiety and panic without medication? What tools and coping methods have you used that help?
NikkiInTheDesert
NikkiInTheDesert
Chris.Kilg that sounds terrifying, I don't think that's whats happening to me. I'm very aware of whats going on I, just feel very strange physically it makes me want to run in an attempt to shake it off.
NikkiInTheDesert
NikkiInTheDesert
Rippelk2. Well, my anxiety is very physical and I don't experience the symptoms very much so it makes no sense for me to take medication. Also, once I was reassured that what was happening to me was not going to kill me, my attacks drastically reduced to almost none to about 1-3 attacks per year starting in 2015 when I start having some serious issues, job, money, family etc..

I can handle a few attacks per year and a bit of discomfort, medication is not for me and I have even been told by professionals that If I wanted, I can use medication when/if needed in order to cope, however, it's not a must. Therapy is a better option for me. So I'm going to take that route, CBT to be exact. So basically my anixety is not serious enough to warrant the need for medication.
Onlythelonely
Onlythelonely
@NikkiInTheDesert, sorry I didn't get back to answer your question. I've been very busy with Christmas shopping, etc. Yes, that is what I meant. Sometimes anxiety is an escape. I've listened to New Life radio call in counseling program for a long time. One of the counselors said that sometimes people with anxiety think that being anxious is "doing something". Then they exchange anxiety for actually doing something to help the situation. Does that make sense? Instead of going to a support group or doing the hard work to change their situation, they are just anxious about. He said their anxiety becomes their purpose in life, something to get out of bed for. I'm not saying this describes you, just sharing some things that have helped me in the past. But reading your other responses, I agree that I don't think you need meds.