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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physical symptoms

blueflower4
blueflower4

Hi all. I'm having maybe the worst month of my life due to a panic which has me in its grip. It was set off I think by a hypochondria episode I had where I thought I was dying, and since then a few weeks ago every day I have been spiralling into this one thought that my life will never get going, something will happen, everything will end. I've been tense for about six hours of every day on average, to the point of shaking, my appetite has gone and I can't finish any meals right now which is obviously worrying. I'm not suicidal but this is the closest I've ever come to thinking I might want to be if it doesn't end. I've been feeling kind of detached too which hasn't helped. I can't believe the state I'm in.


I went to the doctor's and was put back on sertraline which I used to be on in 2018 and hopefully when that kicks in in four weeks I will be better. I've told my family and they are being very supportive but I just want to not feel like this anymore.


My question here is does anyone have any tips for how to relieve these physical symptoms? It's become a vicious cycle of feeling tense physically so I start thinking about what I'm fight or flight responding to.


Also if anyone has tips on how to feel more like nothing terrible is going to happen. Thanks so much.

Community LeaderMid
Mid
Get hydrated. Stay hydrated. Being on sertraline means you have to be diligent. Your physical symptoms will ease off with regular hydration.

Do gentle movements to distract your usual pattern of thought.

You are stronger than you realize. Keep on writing, keep on doing, and keep on moving.

Best wishes. Welcome to the board.
TypeC
TypeC
Hi.....Anxiety is a wild beast to tame! Google search THE ANXIETY GUY. He deals with health anxiety as well as general anxiety. His youtube videos, live FB sessions and podcasts are fantastic. He has helped me through some rough times. He had health anxiety so he knows what he's talking about!

Good Luck and repost if you find him and what you think about his material.
arfie
arfie
Hello Blueflower. Welcome to DS.

Your high anxiety symptoms sound allot like mine. By the time my symptoms have reached the jitter stages, I have typically lost more weight than I can afford to lose and am wound tighter than a meth head in search of a fix. I do believe, with the encouragement of several medical pros, that by that time, I am on an adrenaline high being serviced by my very own inner drug dealer. Adrenaline is a powerful drug that self-replenishes quite naturally.

I shoot to purge the adrenaline from my system before I worry about any of the other symptoms. I use intense physical work outs and detox diets to do so. It isn't the easiest fix on the market, but the results are quite sustainable. It works for me.

I also believe every case is unique. Gentle support while you find what works for you.

Welcome aboard.
DeniseD1440
DeniseD1440
I experience symptoms very much like you. I have to remember and even say to myself out loud, "This will end, even though it feels like it won't." It will end. And then it will probably come back at some point. Accepting it as part of who you are is hard, but that is where I am currently. I can go long amounts of time without symptoms, and when they come back, I have to try to hunker down and ride it out. It isn't easy. In fact, it is the worse thing I face in my life. But I ultimately win. There is no quick fix, but there are lots of ways to get it going in that direction other than medicine. I am just discovering how wonderful therapy is. Also for me, the more I eat, the quicker I get better. I lose my appetite too, but I have to make myself eat. I was where you are a month ago. You can do this.
Sunshinegirl0228
Sunshinegirl0228
Bubble baths with lavender help me. I also have weighted blankets or i let my 70lb dog lay across my chest which helps. Lots of breathing exercises!! Breathing is a powerful tool.
Masha84
Masha84
I love what Denise D said, "Ultimately, I win." This state will pass. Lots of good advice on this thread. I find walking very helpful. And I agree you need to keep eating, because if you don't your body will be sending you signals that something is wrong, on top of everything else. Maybe small frequent meals, protien and veg. Take good care of yourself, realizing that you are actively combatting the beast as you do so. Keep us posted about how you are doing.
carlyj1202
carlyj1202
I so hope that you will be better. Anxiety is the worst. I have been dealing with it for years.

I hope that you don't.
jewelarcher
jewelarcher
My anxiety has been really bad lately too. I came to your post hoping to find tips as well. Letting my dog sleep on my chest definitely Helps me as well. Mostly though I just lay in bed, slightly elevated and turn on a Disney movie. That typically distracts me enough to get back to somewhat normal.
KimmyO
KimmyO
Hi there, I'm so sorry stress and anxiety are controlling you and draining you. Stress depletes our body of magnesium and yet it is the very thing we need in anxious and stressful times. Taking it esp in evenings will calm your mind body and spirit. Ginseng will stop the sticky negative thoughts that loop around, then you are rested, calmer and able to deal with stress better. It doesn't fix things but it helps you fix them. I hope this help you too, and trust it will. <3 Love yourself, let go of worries, things we can't control and focus on things to be thankful for.
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