Anxiety all day and not eating

[Catie_Rose]

Hi everyone I’m at the end of my rope. I have suffered anxiety and health anxiety for over 20 years but the last 6 months has been terrible I’ve lost 8kg in 6 weeks and don’t want to eat I’m just at a loss I don’t have panic attacks I just feel rotten all day like vague and yuck it’s so hard to explain I just want to be well

[Sophie_M]

Hi Catie Rose, 

Welcome to the forums and thank you for being brave and sharing your story and experiences with us. It sounds like you have had an long journey with your mental health and have lived with anxiety for quite some time. We are really sorry to hear that you have been feeling that way and hope we can offer some ideas of where you can get some more support. 

We think that it might be time to give us a call on the phoneline so that you can chat to someone about how you are feeling. You can call us anytime on 1300 22 4636 to chat to an experienced team that can help talk about how you feel now, and where else to seek support. 

We also think that it might be useful to chat to our friends at Butterfly Foundation, they are the experts on eating disorders and so might be able to help with some of your symptoms. You can call them on 1800 33 4673 or check out their website here.

Lifeline are also wonderful and you can call them anytime on 13 11 14, whoever you feel most comfortable speaking too 🙂

We can hear that you are facing a difficult time right now and we are so sorry you feel this way. Thank you again for reaching out and sharing how you feel, please keep us updated if you feel comfortable and be in contact with one of the wonderful organisations above.

Kind regards, 
Sophie M
 

[Annas1]

Hi Catie Rose,

I'm so sorry you feel so overwhelmed - this is a great place to come for support when you are feeling distressed. Even though we can be 'old timers' with our mental health challenges it doesn't mean there won't be times when we are really knocked for six and need to up the support around us.

Can I ask what supports you usually make use of CR? Have you been to your GP recently to talk about the last 6 weeks and the way you've been feeling? It sounds like support from a psychologist would also be really beneficial for you.

Anxiety is such a wiley beast - it can show up in our thoughts, our bodily experience and our feelings. It's no wonder you are at wit's end if your nutrition has been compromised for some time and your anxiety has re-emerged.

It's great that you know you want to be well - that's what we all want and wish for each other. With the right help you will get better. It will take time, so be patient with yourself. Trust there is a pathway to regain your inner strength and ease. What is needed is the right help to guide you on the way. I believe you can do this, despite the difficulties, the discomfort and the disappointments. Trust in yourself and the support of others.

Please let us know how you are going.

[Catie_Rose]

I’ve been to my dr and psychologist and they haven’t really helped just changed my meds around I’m just so over this

[Annas1]

Thanks for sharing your situation with us Catie Rose. I think Sophie_M's suggestion to talk with a friendly counsellor would be really helpful at the moment. I've called lifeline myself in the past and found a small oasis of non-judgemental support and humanity as I struggled with my psychic state. I would really recommend this service and feel that Sophie_ M's suggestion of the BeyondBlue helpline would also be good.

Sometimes the right clinical professional is hard to find, so in the meantime a phone counsellor could be the right support.

Thinking of you,

Annas

[Ggrand]

Hello Catie Rose,

Im really sorry your struggling so much with anxiety and health anxiety....

I don’t have health anxiety, but at times can be scared about different things my body feels that it shouldn’t...umm so maybe a little health anxiety at times...

I’m concerned that your not eating properly and have lost a significant amount of weight in a short time...and you say you feel rotten all day..vague and yucky...

Food is very important for our mental health as well as our physical health...When I go down into that dark tunnel it’s hard to eat or even drink....and then because we don’t eat.our body goes into starvation mode..which can give us all sorts of yucky feelings...it can cause us to feel dizzy...sick to the stomach.... headachy and very, very emotional.....That’s our body trying to survive without food...and it can cause our body to go out of balance...sort of thing....

My Dr told me that even if I could eat a couple pieces of fruit, yogurt and some veggies each day..it will make a huge difference to my physical health...and how I’m feeling as well as helping with my mental health....

Is this something that you could try to do, for your health?...Please Catie Rose..it’s so very important to care for your body and mind the best you can....food and water is the bodies fuel to feel good and healthy..

Here for you Dear Catie Rose...Talk here anytime you feel up to it..

My kindest thoughts and care...

Grandy..

[Petal22]

Hi Catie Rose,

Sorry you are feeling this way…

I had severe anxiety OCD and have now recovered from it…..

I understand the vague feeling…… I too lost a lot of weight during my severe anxiety…… I had too much going on in my head to eat…….

Have you ever had a proper diagnosis for your anxiety?

have you been taught any strategies?

here to chat to you

[Catie_Rose]

Hi yes I have been diagnosed with panic disorder as a teen and GAD and health anxiety as an adult I’m trying to eat but I just don’t feel hungry it’s so frustrating I’ve been given multiple medications over the years and learnt breathing and grounding techniques which don’t seem to help much

[Petal22]

Ok, sorry to hear things haven’t been helpful………

Have you tried exercise for the anxiety? Or meditation?

I was given a lot of tools for my OCD it took time and perseverance to practice them….

meditation was great

here to chat

[Catie_Rose]

I’ve had a brief go but couldn’t do it any tips?