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...
Good Evening,
This is my first time seeking help from other people with anxiety. 4 weeks ago, I was about to fall asleep and I jumped up with chest pains and immediately my body went numb. I went to ER and was told it was a panic attack. 1 week later, it happened again as I was about to go to sleep. This time, i stayed up all night on the toilet and eventually was able to stop using the restroom and go to sleep. I woke up the next day and wasn't the same. My head felt weird, I lost my appetite, I couldn't stop using the restroom (10x) a day. Over 2 weeks, i lost 14lbs and was only able to eat plain rice, toast and egg whites while still not feeling normal. I finally noticed I was having "brain zaps" which were pushing me into a panic attack. At this point i had already went to the ER 2x, primary 2x & psychiatrist 1x. They all say it is anxiety and I'm taking Xanax as needed which isn't a lot. I stopped smoking when all this took place and also have not had any alcohol because im so scared. Where I'm going with this is, why was i so sick for 2 weeks? I have started adding things back to my diet and i get horrible chest pains that are pretty constant. I had an ultrasound and HIDA scan done today and it's normal. Is my GI system that jacked up from the anxiety that it's causing me constant pain in my chest? Sorry so long, all this has happened so sudden and im just scared, lost and want to feel normal. Also, any advice on the brain zaps that come on at all times and now I'm in so much fear, i just sit and wait for the next one to happen.
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I have a possible new diagnosis to discuss with my therapist tomorrow. It might be the answer to a question that I have had since I was 19. It's called Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD). It happens to a large percentage of people with ADHD, which I have. Actually, I have been watching videos about ADD/ADHD lately. I remember my Mom telling me that she watched a show on ADD and she...
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Actually, our Governor called a State of Emergency. I pray that my electric doesn't go out. I had already planned to stay home all weekend to recuperate from a cold and do online training for my job. That will take many hours. I am worried for the outside kitties. I hope your weekend goes better for you.
My own anxiety is a lifelong condition. Sudden onset anxiety disorder seems to be a pandemic spawned by the viral pandemic management of Coronaville. From my safe social distance, it looks meaner than my lifelong condition.
The symptoms you describe are all symptoms of my own anxiety. No, they are not **just** in your head. Left to run amok, they will eventually cause permanent physical damage. Please take them seriously.
In my own case, those "Brain Zaps" are advanced symptoms. There are a myriad of other symptoms which precede the brain zaps. I think of the brain zaps as a "Wake up Call." By the time I am experiencing those, I am in full psychotic episode and the best I can hope for is to hold steady and breath my way through them. It is pure survival mode.
While I am surviving the crisis, I seek to build my awareness of what is triggering the anxiety attack and ply my anxiety management tools at the source. The marshal laws of Coronaville have proven tougher than my own anxiety-as-usual because the conditions are so unique. WTF do I do with this one?
Gentle empathy and steadying support while you figure your own case, ABC. Healing hopes for all. No exceptions.
You've taken the important first step in writing it out.
Stopping smoking suddenly and stopping alcohol intake suddenly all during raised overwhelming anxiety means you're handling withdrawal symptoms of those two moments at the same time.
Anxiety is natural. You're on the right path to find healing calm balance. The brain zap is a natural way to stop the usual pattern - your body and brain are both healing.
You are doing an excellent job of helping yourself grow and heal and move forward as you help your anxiety find a calm balance.
Stay hydrated, practice even breathing. Stop, pause, breathe, repeat until you are clear headed to make a calm decision.
I've been managing my anxiety without drugs since 2k. I find that maintaining my anxiety management program requires the same diligence as the pill popping. Drug therapy doesn't work so well if you only take your meds when you feel like it. It requires daily attention.
Ditto for the holistic alternatives. On the daily measure, the holistic alternatives take more time and personal awareness, but in the long run, drug therapy requires allot more time dealing with medical/insurance, pharmacy runs, etc.
Seems like everything in life is a trade-off. Ya get something, you give something. Quid pro quo.
Whichever path you decide is right for you, peer support can get you over the bumps in the road. Every road has bumps.