Feeling wrecked for days following anxiety.

[DN129]

Hello, I'm just looking for input from other users as my doctor doesn't really comment on this.

I started getting anxiety about a year ago, it attached itself to a lot of day to day activities in the forms of phobias. I've been working hard to push through these phobias and have made good progress to the point I can function, but still know my limitations.

Over the weekend I had a big day out in which I completed several anxiety inducing situations. I felt mild-moderate anxiety the whole time and was still functioning despite it.

But the following day, (Sunday) I just felt wrecked. I was super tired, I had heavy eyes, I had a frontal headache, my stomach was a mess, I felt slightly out of it and dizzy. Its by far the worst I've felt following anxiety. The other strange symptom which I can't find a connection is the anxiety seems to bring up all these sinus/allergy symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose and pressure in my forehead.

I know it seems like it could be caused by another factor, but it genuinely all feels caused by the anxiety. Which is the hardest thing for me to push through it, you often pay the cost for days following it.

Can anyone relate to this? Is it 'normal'?

[Amity__affliction]

I can some what relate to this.

I had a construction project coming up for work and I got everything organised and a set day ready to go. Although the client postponed it for another week.

Witch ticked me off.

finally I started the job and was having trouble because it wasn't ready and I had to go around and fix other people's mistakes that I did not quote for.

I had a really shitty day and was over it after a few hours

i came home that night and did not sleep all I could think about is why did I take so much on. I thought I could do it.

the next morning I was meant to return but a just completely lost it and had a anxiety acttack my muscles fell weak and sore and I still feel really tired and shit about the whole situation a few days later

my anxiety makes me tired and I wish it had an off button coz the mind will just continue to tick over and over with so many thoughts and it makes you so damn tired and weak.

Good luck with your battle.

[ci]

Dn129

You just described me! I get the exact same way almost flu like symptoms. Aches and pains all over stuffy feeling headache my eyes hurt my husband laughs because I get a lazy eye when my body exhausted from anxiety. My theory there has to be some things to do with a chemical release when you are experiencing such large anxiety I can feel the effects for days after.

For example the weekend just gone I had big day Saturday pushed past many triggers and today is Tuesday I've still woken up exhausted, upset tummy and just crap!

Mysituation is I have ocd I used to be like everyone else little bit of anxiety then this ocd thing crept up day to day living is hard. I find it hard to be out with people everything is a possible threat and trigger.

Have you been diagnosed with anything that is causing your anxiety? Do you see anyone for help?

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi DN129,

What you've described is absolutely normal and I can definitely relate to this.

When our bodies respond to anxiety, there are a huge amount of physiological changes that occur; our heart races, nausea, butterflies and all round digestive issues, muscle tension, vision changes, etc. Our bodies also release cortisol which can suppress our immune system.

If you'd like to find out a bit more info about this you could have a look at the below link on how anxiety affects our immune system -

http://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/immune-system

The good news is that the more you challenge yourself in these situations, the more your brain is learning how to cope; developing strong pathways in the brain because you're learning how to deal with anxiety head on. This means that over time the symptoms and the 'hangover' will get noticeably smaller and smaller.

It's also worth considering that the 'hangover' will be smaller if you don't push yourself as much. Instead of having a big day, try just challenging yourself with one or two situations. Often this can be a great way to still manage anxiety but not so much as to burn yourself out.

Hope this helps

[DN129]

Amity affliction said:

the next morning I was meant to return but a just completely lost it and had a anxiety acttack my muscles fell weak and sore and I still feel really tired and shit about the whole situation a few days later

my anxiety makes me tired and I wish it had an off button coz the mind will just continue to tick over and over with so many thoughts and it makes you so damn tired and weak.

Thanks for the reply. I can definitely relate to that. That feeling of a racing mind and not being able to sleep was something I experienced for most of my life. I never really related it to anxiety as it was more or less the only anxiety symptom I had. I often wondered why others could sleep so easily and why I just laid in bed staring at the ceiling.

[DN129]

ci said:

Dn129

You just described me! I get the exact same way almost flu like symptoms. Aches and pains all over stuffy feeling headache my eyes hurt my husband laughs because I get a lazy eye when my body exhausted from anxiety. My theory there has to be some things to do with a chemical release when you are experiencing such large anxiety I can feel the effects for days after.

For example the weekend just gone I had big day Saturday pushed past many triggers and today is Tuesday I've still woken up exhausted, upset tummy and just crap!

Mysituation is I have ocd I used to be like everyone else little bit of anxiety then this ocd thing crept up day to day living is hard. I find it hard to be out with people everything is a possible threat and trigger.

Have you been diagnosed with anything that is causing your anxiety? Do you see anyone for help?

Thanks for your help. I can relate to most of that. Even the eye twitching and heavy head. Its funny, you often read other people post about it, but when you experience it yourself its very aggressive. Like almost on the verge of being bedridden and very irritable/not wanting to associate.

I've seen a psychologist and not had any key diagnosis. For me it seems to be more a 'trapped' phobia than anything, which extends to cars, planes, social situations like being stuck at a table with a big group etc. I've been pushing through it and making progress and I'm more or less at the point I feel its under control, but almost because of that confidence I pushed through it, kind of forgetting how bad you can feel afterwards.

But while not 'good', its comforting to know that this just symptoms of the anxiety. Which makes it somewhat understandable and normal. The nasal thing was very odd to me, but as with the anxiety symptoms they seem to affect pretty much every part of your body.

[DN129]

Thanks for the reply, romantic_thi3f.

I have been experiencing what you said, with over time my body's reaction getting less and less. Unfortunately in this situation I really had to attend the event and just kind of tried to 'force' myself to do it. Which may not be the best thing, it does teach you lessons though, that sometimes the worst bit about anxiety are when you're out of the situation, not just when you're in it.

I used to get really bad headaches from anxiety inducing situations, but its been quite a while since I've had it so strong that they happened. So I guess I forgot what its like. It really is interesting how many symptoms can be caused by anxiety.

I've had mild health anxiety my whole life but because I never had real panic attacks I never related it as anxiety, just now I'm kind of realizing how many of the illnesses you think you had could just be off the cuff anxiety issues.

[MsPurple]

Hi DN

I know exactly how you feel. I don't generally have many panic attacks (maybe 2 a year) but I do have situations where my anxiety levels are elevated and I feel very uncomfortable. It feels like constant dread to me. I also feel like I need to go to the bathroom, a bit light headed, lack of appetite and I get a headache. I feel like I need to get out of the environment I am in because I think it is the only thing that will help at the time. For me it isn't a phobia, it can be a one off random thing, but I do understand how you feel.

When I went to my mental health professionals (mental health nurse, psychiatrist and GP) I wasn't told my official diagnosis initially. I actually asked. I asked because I wanted an understanding what was going on and I wanted reassurance from them. I also asked how I could go about helping my GAD and mentioned my key concerns (e.g. constant worries and sleeping problems). They then told me what they thought we as a team should do to help me with my concerns. I had a lot of talking therapy (not sure what its called), a bit of CPD etc. It can be hard to tell them exactly what you are worried about, especially if you don't have a great understanding of it yourself but I think by mentioning you key concerns can help shape the direction the treatment goes. If your GP or councellor doesn't click with you can try someone else (headspace recommend this as they know you need a good relationship with your counsellor)

I hope that helps. I know how horrible it is, but it sounds normal for someone with anxiety. Hope this helps 🙂