Hi Squirrelm
What you're facing sounds so torturous and exhausting. I feel for you so much. Not sure if all possibilities have been explored when it comes to whatever it is that's setting off your nervous system in such a tormenting way.
If it's not as straight forward as being mental stress related, could be something outside the square
- Silent migranes that can trigger the nervous system
- Cervical spine instability (neck related issues)
- Gut microbiome imbalance (complex nature of the gut-brain axis)
- Shallow breathing
- Sleep apnea. Nothing quite like the feeling of waking as you gasp for air while your nervous system's been triggered
- Chemical imbalance of some nature/Vitamin or mineral deficiency
Just a handful of possibilities.
Being a gal who's experienced a few of those factors myself over the years, I've learned to ask the question 'What is setting off my nervous system?' when I face periods of anxiety. I've found calling it anxiety and stopping there doesn't lead me to find a reason or a solution.
Personally, I'm a major 'feeler'. I feel a heck of a lot. Last year was the first time in my 52 years that I came to face significant anxiety for mental reasons. With me feeling a number of life challenges increasing, while feeling a lack of the time I needed to be able to manage those challenges (while holding down a job) and while feeling the stressful internal dialogue that came with all this, it all came to a head in November when I made the tough decision to take this year off work. Feeling your nervous system being triggered so often is definitely a call for attention and change.
Ordain yourself a detective. I have faith you'll solve the mystery you're nervous system's calling you to solve.
