Anxiety is becoming debilitating

[Manalishi]

Hello, first time poster here, been suffering from anxiety for around 6 weeks now, I haven't received a formal diagnosis yet, but I've arranged an appointment to set up a mental healthcare plan, and over the course of multiple GP and Emergency Room visits we've ruled out just about everything else. During the last week it seems to have gotten particularly bad, with my anxiety/panic attacks increasing in frequency, along with more occurrences of symptoms such as chest pain, and tingling in my extremities and around the base of my skull. Most recently, a new symptom has appeared which is giving me significant trouble sleeping. I'll go to bed, and then start to nod off, and then seconds later I'll get what feels like a massive adrenaline rush, and be completely unable to sleep, even when I was dead tired moments before.

Despite the all-clear from the ER and my GP, it's hard not to be scared when symptoms such as this appear, any help you folks can provide would be greatly appreciated.

[baet123]

Hey Manalishi,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for posting. You will find these forums as a caring, non-judgmental platform for you to offer and receive advice and support from people who are and have been in similar situations as the one you find yourself in (me included)!

Anxiety is far to common unfortunately and what your feeling is extremely normal. Many of the symptoms you are feeling are exactly what I felt when I was suffering from health anxiety. It is so encouraging and I congratulate you for arranging an appointment to see your GP and set up a MHCP. I am glad that your health professionals have ruled out many other conditions which is great for your peace of mind.

My specialist told me something during our first few consultations that has stuck with me since. People who suffer from anxiety "don't have anything physically wrong" with them rather it is all in our mind. My mind like yours played tricks on me for so long and I like you felt random pain a few years however it helped when I kept telling myself and reminding myself this is my anxiety, not another condition which I believe I might have but actually don't have. I think it may be beneficial to keep reassuring yourself that the anxiety is what is causing your feelings, not another condition.

Please also consult with your GP about the possibility of medication. This can positively impact your emotional well-being and quality of life immensely. What are your favourite hobbies? Try listening to music, playing games, watching your favourite shows and the like. Keeping my brain preoccupied was a great way distract myself from what I was feeling so it may be something worth considering.

It does and will get better mate.

Stay strong and positive and keep us posted.

All the best,

Nick.

[Manalishi]

Thanks for the welcome and encouragement Nick, unfortunately my anxiety has made it considerably harder to enjoy music, games etc. because my desk/computer has become one of my worst "trigger zones", on account of most of my panic attacks occurring while I was sitting there.

I guess there's nothing for it at the moment but try and ignore it as best I can and get on with what I enjoy doing, though if you have advice for handling this sort of thing, I'd love to hear it.

[baet123]

Hey Mana,

'I can absolutely relate. When I was super anxious, none of my favourite hobbies were enjoyable for me and like you, sitting down at my desk and playing games or listening to music was a trigger. Do you exercise often? eat well and sleep well? I think these might be activities you can implement which may assist your condition. I believe medication will greatly assist you also. Stay strong mate. It will get better.

Nick

[Manalishi]

10 days already?! suppose I should post an update then.

I got my Mental Healthcare Plan all set up and went to my first session with a psychologist, which went very well (the 50 minutes just flew by!), going to see her again on Friday.

With regards to my symptoms, they seem to "shift" around my body, last week, I had pains mainly in the right side of my chest, and tension headaches when I sat down. This week so far it's been pain right at the top of my sternum where my collarbones meet, and a tingling in my left shoulderblade. Has this happened to anyone else? is it normal for symptoms to change like this with anxiety?

[anxietyalien]

Most certainly! Mine I feel is connected to my diaphragm, and how it connects to the sternum area (stomach and such). I can't sit unless I have back support, or I will have crazy aching there in the center. My health anxiety is saying "you've got MS" or something like that. Even an enlarged aorta, or damaged heart muscle - but I guess that is all imagined?

Symptoms do change like that with Anxiety, as i've had a full roulette of physical sensations to cause me pain and discomfort, over the past few years. It's torture!

[baet123]

Hey Mana,

Lovely to hear back from you! How time flies huh? How are you doing so far this week?

Congratulations on establishing a mental health care plan and I am so happy that your first session with your psychologist went very well. That is amazing and I sense a great deal of forward progress in the near future 🙂

How did you find the psychologist? Did you immediately feel a connection with your psychologist? The client-professional relationship is super important and I am super happy to hear that you found it beneficial.

Symptoms absolutely do change and they did for me constantly. It is common for anxiety to affect our larger muscles/body parts. Most common areas of pain and discomfort generally include our thighs, chest, back and lower abdomen so I wouldn't stress.

Please keep us posted and have a great week and I hope the sessions continue to be beneficial.

All the best,

Nick.

[Manalishi]

Ugh, just had what I think was a panic attack while out walking, so yeah, that really sucked.

With regards to the psychologist, yeah, I think we established a fairly good relationship. The session basically consisted of me introducing myself and establishing a baseline though, so I'm not quite sure yet. Overall I found her very easy to talk to though, and I never felt like she was putting me under any undue pressure, so hopefully I'll benefit a lot from the sessions.

[baet123]

Hey Mana,

Sorry to here that you just had a panic attack but it is great that you were out walking. Super beneficial to your overall well-being.

Good to hear that you have established a good relationship. It is extremely important for you to feel comfortable and express your emotions. Sharing as much as you can with your psychologist is always beneficial to ones treatment/recovery.

Seems like your going in the right direction. Keep it up mate.

All the best,

Nick.

[Manalishi]

I figure it's best to write down these thoughts while I'm having them. Last night I went to bed utterly convinced I wouldn't wake up in the morning. I was looking through some older threads on the site, and someone brought up their relatives suddenly being diagnosed with late-stage cancer and dying soon after. This, naturally led me to think back to some random back pain I had a couple of years ago, and thus I became convinced that I too, had cancer!

Then I thought of my initial test results when I visited my GP for the first time in September, which showed I had high blood pressure, high cholestrol for my age, and some protein in my urine. The doctor said that all this could be improved by becoming more active and eating healthier, but I'm convinced that it's too late, and I've already developed serious cardiovascular problems.

I felt so carefree and alive when I turned 22 this year. 3 months later and I'm wondering if I'll make it to 23.