Anxiety out of the blue

[Mary89]

Hello, this is my first post in a forum. I am just wondering if anyone else has experienced the same symptoms as I have. I have a great life, and other than a very stressful job, I have no reason to be anxious. I have always had a tendency to worry and 'stress out' but it has never affected me negatively until about 4 weeks ago when I started experiencing severe anxiety which has interfered with my ability to function normally - constantly feeling unwell, unable to complete my work, feeling anxious the majority of the time. Has anyone else has anxiety like this just hit them seemingly out of the blue?

I am experiencing a lot of physical symptoms - lump in throat which feels like I can't swallow, tightness in chest, headache, feeling like I can't breathe and so on. I have had two panic attacks where these symptoms were exaggerated but the symptoms are still present for a lot of time on a daily basis. Is it common for people to experience such physical symptoms with anxiety? I've been to the doctor and they think it it is anxiety but I constantly worry that something else is wrong with me because how could anxiety make me feel like this? My mind is constantly in over drive thinking 'what if this happens, what if that happens'. Then I worry that I will never feel normal again. And then I worry about why I'm feeling like this - anxiety over being anxious! I feel like I'm going crazy.

I've never felt like this before in my life and just didn't realize anxiety could hit so suddenly and so severely. Has anyone else out there had a similar experience?

[Jo3]

Hi Mary

I can relate to this very much so.  I have been suffering depression and anxiety for 3 yrs now and I am on medication.  

I read that you went to see your GP, did he/she give you any medication for the anxiety.  I feel that you need to be on something to help you.

These symptoms you explain are definitely panic attacks. But the problem is the more you worry about them the more you feel anxious. Has he doctor given you any advice on how to help you with the panic attacks and the anxious feelings?

Have you thought of trying meditation, or when you're feeling anxious take a few slow deep breaths and that will help you calm down. Tell yourself that you're okay you can get through this.

I hope this has helped you. Let us know how you go

Take care

Jo

[Finch13]

Hi Mary, my first post too. I was recently diagnosed with anxiety and possible OCD after having my second child. I was extremely tired and ill and completely overwhelmed by the whole situation. To top it all off I had this terrible fear that I was going to die, or that the devil was coming to take me. I know this seems extreme, but I felt like I had no control over the situation and it was just snowballing. I was admitted to hospital and I'm sure my family thought I had lost the plot big time (It certainly felt that way to me). I was so scared that I couldn't sleep, and whenever I would get anxious I would begin chanting to try and ward off my fears. It was awful. I now am on meds and speak to a psychiatrist every couple of months as I'm understanding my situation and managing myself much better now. I also have a great life and family but a very stressful job. I have no real reason to be anxious.I guess I have always worried about things happening to myself or loved ones but it had never really affected me negatively either. I have never taken drugs or had anything happen that I believe has contributed to this coming on. I still have my thoughts and anxiety every day, some days more so than others, but I know now that its just my brain functioning incorrectly and tell myself to think better thoughts and reassure myself that I'm okay. I have to get through this for my family and myself. I hope things improve for you.

[Jeffrey]

Hello Mary , up until 3 months ago , i believed i was a normal person working a stressful position , i am a qualified chef (have been since 1982), i have worked in an enviroment all my life where u have to be strong ,and in control,never to show weakness ,cause there is a team requiring your leadership and guidance , i bought a small cafe 10 yrs ago with my wife , and we are still working it strongly together now, i had troubles adjusting my role at the start , and totally different requirements of my temprement were needed,i became irritable and frustrated , i felt my control slipping over time , so i would try harder ,this only caused heated discussions ,and i would slide into my shell ,so to speak , i then found i could not handle service times very well, the waitstaff would not do anything wrong ,but because i was trying to come out of my shell , i  would overcompensate ,and this would lead to irritability , after talking this all out with my wife ( she was a godsend), i came onto this site ,and did a lot of soul searching , found the symptoms which took me to the heart of the matter .i laid all my cards on the table with my immediate family , talked it all out , it was hard to admit my faults ,especially to my adult son , but i took my humility pill ,and found great support .  I then talked with my Doctor ,frankly i thought ...what can he do ? he made me see reason in my actions , set me on medication , and with the help thru these forums ,i am on my way to living again ...my advice to u is dont overthink ,that is a hard thing to say i know , tell yourself to stop !! Relax ...breathe in for 4 count ,breathe out for 6 count  , this is a relaxing method i have found works for me on the go , repeat this a few times , feel your body respond ,then move on...i hope this helps u , come back to here when u need to talk , we are always around ,good luck

[geoff]

dear Mary, welcome aboard.

I am just wondering whether your job is stressful only because of your anxiety, which is a legit reason.

Can I ask you about a year ago in this same job, were you anxious or has something sparked it off like a new boss who might be dictatorially or changed the rules which doesn't suit you or anyone else.

Personally when I was a handyman I would always put off doing any work for someone who had a bad attitude, so I knew that there would be problems even before I started the work, so this then brought on my anxiety, so my OCD would worsen.

So because I was anxious I would tend to have to correct any mistakes, which normally wouldn't happen, so this was annoying, and yes my heart would beat away at a rapid rate. L Geoff. x

[Pixie15]

Hi Mary89,

There are other health issues which might cause anxiety such as iron deficiency and I think also some Thyroid problems. If you feel that your doctor has been too quick to diagnose you could go back to the same doctor for a another consultation or get a second opinion. I know from my own experience that being anxious can make it hard to ask the necessary questions especially as doctors are always busy and if I feel that my concerns are brushed off it just makes me more anxious. Peace, Mulberry.

[Mary89]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

In answering your question Geoff, my job is highly stressful in itself, irrespective of the anxiety. I also had the same job last year and did not suffer from anxiety. One of the reasons I am finding it so hard to deal with the anxiety is because it has come on so suddenly and without a specific trigger - other than working long hours and being constantly under stress. I guess I thought that anxiety like this could only come in response to a major event that one could identify.

My GP has run basic blood tests to rule out anything like iron deficiency and thyroid disorder and has referred me to a psychologist. I have starting seeing the psychologist who is teaching me to try and change my response to the anxious thoughts, feelings and sensations through Acceptance and Commitment theory which teaches mindfulness skills. Has anyone else tried this? It seems to be helping although it is difficult to chance your response to the anxiety, my immediate thought is "I want to get rid of this feeling/sensation".

I work in the health profession and although I understand what a panic attack is by definition, when I experience one myself I find it very hard to believe that it is not a life threatening event - it makes me feel like I am about to die, even though I know this is not a rational thought.

I know dealing with anxiety is an on-going process I just wish there was a quick fix so I could go back to feeling normal!

[Nikki15]

Hi Mary,

i noticed your post was from a few years ago so not sure if I will get a reply.

But I just found it and read it today and what you have described is exactly what I am going through.

Just st wondered if you have managed to find any relief??

the symptoms are extremely frustrating and the symptoms themselves are now causing me more anxiety!

Hope you're doing well, All the best.