Confused by these anxious feelings

[Lola_M]

Hi. About a month ago I awoke with constant adrenaline surges in my belly and severe anxiety. The surges are gone but I am left with constany nervousness, anxiety and butterflies in my belly - it's all contained there. Those feelings intensify when I think about anything, whether it is a good, bad or neutral thought. I can be picturing myself in my favourite place and the anxiety comes up. I'm puzzled by this as I don't have anxious thoughts generally but now everything I think about brings those anxious and nervous feelings. It's peculiar and I'm not sure that many people experience this, which adds to my distress. Does anyone have any idea what's going on?

[CMF]

Hi Lola,

Sorry to hear you are feeling like this. Many of us know this feeling. It sounds like General Anxiety Disorder but of course the best thing to do is book a visit with your GP as a start. Has anything happened that you can think that triggered the initial anxiety?

I do hope you can get to your GP and get some relief. Please keep posting as much as you need to.

cmf x

[Lola_M]

Thanks for your response. I have been to the doctor who prescribed medication. One has bad side effects and the other made me blackout. I can't think of a particular trigger so that adds to the confusion. I don't understand why I am suddenly so anxious even when thinking about good and peaceful things. I'm finding every day a struggle and I don't sleep too well. I don't know where to turn to next. I'm fairly distressed.

[Peace_Seeker]

Hi Lola

i know that feeling all too well. You are not alone. It's great that you've seen your GP. Did they refer you to counselling? I have a therapist and she is amazing. She helped me develop a set of tools to work through anxiety and those feelings you're having. Have you heard of mindfulness? Maybe give that a go. I swear by mindfulness and meditation. Tara Brach is an awesome mindfulness teacher that I follow 🙂

[Rhu]

Hi Lola,

Before the anxiety started, were you going through a stressful time or experiencing some upsetting moments? Or some sort of struggle?

As to your medications, which ones did your GP prescribe for you? If those didn't agree with you, there are options that can be tried that may not trigger those side effects.

Talk to a counsellor or a psychologist as well. They can talk you through your anxious thoughts and help you figure out some coping mechanisms. You could try to use some distraction techniques as well - is there something you enjoy, like music? It may help if you pour all your energy into an activity of some sort to distract you from your anxious thoughts.

Above all, keep a positive mindset! Remember you're not alone in this - we here know what it's like to live with anxiety. Keep us updated on how you're going and we can give you some support.

All the best to you!

Rhu

[Lola_M]

Thanks for your reply. I haven't been to counselling as I don't know what I'm anxious about. It comes over me for the slightest thought, even a good and positive one. I know about mindfulness and whilst it's good, it doesn't stop these anxious feelings. They have a life of their own. I'm happy to hear you're benefiting from it though.

[Lola_M]

Thanks Rhu. I am unable to say which meds I took as forum rules prohibit that. I haven't tried others as I was afraid they would give me negative affects also.

As for counselling/therapy, I don't have anxious thoughts, rather my anxiety feelings arise whenever I think about anything, even good, healthy thoughts. It has a mind of its own. I'm not sure what it means. I'm not ruminating over anything.

Nothing out of the ordinary happened when these feelings first arose so I can't connect it to anything.

It's a real head scratcher however I will try to engage in some activities to occupy myself but with poor sleep I have little energy to do much.