Anxiety Symptoms Rollercoaster

[Hael]

Hi All,

Just wanted to come on here and share my horrid experience so far and hopefully get some feedback to help get this weeks anxiety off my back, i find when i talk about it, it alleviates some symptoms.

I'm 25, have been suffering from depression since i was 14, i had counseling back then, tried dealing with it since then up until late 2014 i started seeing a psychologist. 12 months of seeing her we weren't on the same page and my depression was spiraling down at a fast rate. I saw my GP and got put on some anti depressants, had heaps of issues with side effects, went off them and changed, had all the withdrawals, new ones were good. i use medication too

Then a few months back i got glandular fever, after having 2.5 weeks off work resting, i was really stressed about returning to work because i wasn't healthy enough yet. I like working and working had, so to be not my normal self i found difficult, returning to work is when i discovered what panic attacks and anxiety were. I was vomiting before going to work and my back neck and jaw were so wound up. when i looked into these things i realized I've been having panic attacks for about 4 years now on and off, never knew what they were just thought my body was doing weird stuff. Ever since i saw the GP the day i committed getting ready for work and he explained the anxiety.

I've had 3 panic attacks in the last 2 months, and when i'm anxious and stressed i have been having these symptoms and the same time or separately, on different days or on different weeks on some kind of cycle. and it is driving me mad. It is worse through the day at work, it eases on the weekend when i relax.

I get for some periods of time the current streak is 5 days, dizziness, blurry vision, sharp head pains, neck pains, neck back and shoulder tension, nausea, stomach cramps, twitching, neck pressures, head pressures, chest pains, chest rashes, difficulty concentrating, short term memory loss and drowsiness. not all together, usually some after others.

I've had tests done by GP, i saw a Psychiatrist about 2-3 weeks ago and all these symptoms eased off. I had a big night drinking over the weekend and it has triggered everything. . Seeing GP again tomorrow about anxiety symptoms and new psychologist straight after. The anxiety is taking over my life, i finally start to deal with it and tell myself it is all in my head and it comes racing back out of no where..

Feel like i am going insane. does all of this sound normal lol

[pipsy]

Hi Hael. The experiences you're having could be a form of anxiety/depression. Returning to work too soon has triggered some of your anxiety causing the depression to skyrocket. The emotional roller coaster you're on needs attention. I feel you need to take time to heal, and get your anxiety settled. Are you on stress leave from work, if you are, it might be an idea to get an extension to give yourself more time to adjust to meds etc. Returning too soon to work or anything stressful is counter-productive to your health. I would suggest you talk to your Dr and ask for an extension to give you more time. Depression/anxiety doesn't miraculously disappear, anything can trigger the feelings of inadequacy. It's good you recognize you need help and, for the record: no you're not 'insane', and 'yes' the feelings of anxiety are 'normal' when we push ourselves to 'get over it'. Take the time necessary to heal and do what ever it takes to get the help you need. If you wish to post here again, feel free. We're always here for help, support, guidance. If you want, you can call our helpline. We have counsellors ready to listen and advice.

Lynda

[blondguy]

Hello Hael

Welcome to the forums and thankyou for your post too!

You are right about this anxiety roller coaster, for me it was like being a tennis ball in a tumble dryer. I see that you are very pro-active in making use of your GP and a therapist too. Well done to you. You have also listened to your doc and started taking meds which can really help us have a platform on which we can heal. Nice work.

I have had anxiety for approx 30 years and there is good news, it does lessen in severity over time. It does tend to come back which is a pain I understand. After a person realizes that the anxiety symptoms are still only feelings (bad as these feelings are) we do start to have some peace. The adrenaline produced by our fear of these feelings can make them repeat themselves unpleasant as they are.

Everything you have described are anxiety feelings, I had exactly what you do as well as waking up in a cold sweat and exhausted. Your feelings are very common where anxiety is concerned. Because you are oversensitised we produce more adrenaline which in turn makes these feelings happen. Your GP and your therapist will help you to desensitise. Calm and true acceptance of the anxiety does take practice but does work.

There will be a time when your high levels of anxiety are nothing but a memory Hael. Let the feelings come and 'float' with them when they come. This of course takes time and practice but to me it was like having a physical issue that I had to heal that took a while with help from my doc too. Its a very very common disorder.

The 'fear' of anxiety will reduce with the help you are getting....then because the anxiety has nothing to feed off (the fear) the anxiety will also dissipate/reduce too.

You have great strength to have posted Hael. You are more than welcome to post back as many times as you wish. It would be great to hear back from you. There are many super kind people on the forums that are doing it hard like you right now.We are here for you.

You are not alone...please be 'gentle' to yourself 🙂

My kind thoughts for you

Paul

[Hael]

Thank you both for your kind words and advise, it means a lot.

i'm also in a circle about when i have bad anxiety physical symptoms i become extremely snappy and irritable, and i get snappy at my partner, who does not understand mental illnesses what so ever, i get anxiety he is going to stop being paitent and leave. Is there a dumbed down version of anxiety and depression for people who have zero knowledge on the matter? It puts my stomach in knots thinking about it

[blondguy]

Hi Hael

Thanks for posting back 🙂 If you scroll down the page you will see 'The Facts' Header, under it you will find 'anxiety' or depression, Its written in plain english with no jargon. Another heading is 'Supporting Someone', there is some great material for your partner. The snappy and being irritable is also common with anxiety/depression which is a pain, but can be healed too.

Let us know how you go.

Paul

[Hael]

Thank you for your help.

Since the last post i've had 4 panic attacks, a psycologist appointment and a (supportive of mental illness) friend pass away.

when i had my appointment my psych though i was chewing something crunchy i was clenching my jaw so badly. She said i suffer from irregularly high anxiety levels, i put too much stress on myself. We ran out of time & we didn't go through coping mechanisms. I have OCD too. Getting my frustrations of my chest help some what. I wish there wasa quick fix to anxiety.

i get better, i'm good, i spiral again. Back to square one. Super frustrating and tiring 😞

i just need to keep telling myself these symptoms are normal, thats the bit that is killing me.

[pipsy]

Hi Hael. My deepest condolences over your friend's passing. That on top of your anxiety/stress levels would be pretty hard to cope with. There is no 'one cure for all' with anxiety/depression. What works for one, might not work for another. You are dealing with incredible anxiety,with the loss of your friend compounding everything into one box. Have you tried deep, slow breathing methods. Sit comfortably, try closing your eyes, concentrate on your breathing, listen to it. Breathe in slowly through your nose, breathe out just as slowly through your mouth. Put some soft relaxing music on (if it helps). Do this till you start to feel yourself relaxing. While it may not help with the OCD, it could help with the anxiety. Perhaps meditation might help. I'm not sure how meditation works, but maybe someone here might know more about it. I'm pretty sure it's along the same lines as the deep breathing I mentioned.

Lynda