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Health anxiety help!
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Hi everyone,
I have been dealing with health anxiety for the last 4 months, i have tried meditation, yoga and therapy however i just feel like in the last couple of days i am back to square one.
When the anxiety started i would bet racing heart etc and was so worried i would have a heart attack then it changed to stroke like symtoms, head aches and thinking i was either about to have an annuerysm or a brain tumor. Now the last couple of days i have been getting head zaps especially when i am in the shops with bright lights, i start panicking and thinking I'm about to have a seizure. Does anyone else experience brain zaps is it a normal part of anxiety? They last for one to two seconds. I am just terrified.
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I’m a newbie on the forum too Harlow so welcome to the community. There are a lot of very kind and caring people here, but it seems to be quiet again today.
Oh Harlow I can understand how you feel - I would be the same. I think it’s SO important you talk to a doctor as soon as possible. Maybe not your GP today but you could go to your nearest hospital outpatients.
If you can’t do that call 137425 - it’s a national hotline number for “Doctor to Your Home” with bulk billing
look after yourself Harlow 🤗
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Hello Harlow.
it must be a scary situation for you - I would feel the same
Because it’s a holiday today can you take yourself to the nearest hospital outpatients or perhaps call 000
look after yourself Harlow
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Hello Harlow. I am a newbie on the forums too so welcome and I hope you’ll get as much out of being here as I do - there are a lot of very kind and supportive people. It seems very quiet today, because it’s a holiday maybe. I have posted to you before, but they haven’t come thru yet.
I can understand how worried you are, but you need answers to your questions as soon as possible, which will take the pressure off you I hope.
Please look for professional answers as soon as possible - I’m sure you know who you can call. I don’t think I can say it here directly Harlow
Please look after yourself and be gentle with you 🤗 - hug for you
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Hey Harlow and welcome to our caring community;
Your post's very telling so thankyou heaps. It makes replying easier if we know specifics.
Anxiety's a physical symptom of a worn out central nervous system (CNS) which controls stress responses. If you've been under an enormous amount of stress in recent times or longer, that system becomes slow. If stress continues without proper attention, the CNS gets ill and symptoms become worse.
Our brains are directly linked to the CNS so when it's not working properly, our minds and bodies are affected too.
When we're confronted by a stressful situation, our body's normal process is to assess 'risk' and deal with it. When it's overworked, our body begins to show signs of wear and tear. So no, you're not going to have a heart attack, stroke or tumour.
Bright lights, loud noises, people arguing etc will cause anxiety. (eg; shaking, confusion, fear) This is absolutely 'normal' ok. You're going to feel heightened sensitivity to everything. There'll be a lack of concentration, fog brain, worry, sleep disturbances and intense fear at times. Again, all natural under the circumstances. Your CNS is ill and needs time to heal.
Tell yourself it's like a virus. It has to run its course and requires rest and a reduction in stress. Research anxiety and 'Triggers' associated with the disorder. This will help you stop panicking when signs appear; knowledge is power.
Your worry (the what-if's) makes anxiety worse so recovery takes longer. Physical stuff like flashing lights in your eyes, shaking, upset tummy, heart palpitations, crying for no apparent reason and twitching for instance, are all normal reactions. As well, we each have quirky responses that are individual to us and not others. So please don't be too concerned ok.
I hope I've helped Harlow. It's scary I know, but with therapy, med's and self insight, (I hope you've consulted your GP) you'll understand and begin to heal. I hope we can talk again soon...
Kind thoughts;
Sez
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Hi Sez,
Thank you so much for response it made me feel so much better and i was able to enjoy my day.
It all makes so much sense, i guess because the symptoms have changed so often i just feel defeated! But the explanation of where my nervous system is at makes perfect sense.
At this stage i am trying to stay off meds and just manage with exercise, eating well, sleeping, meditation and yoga. If i cannot get on top of it myself though i am open to meds, just want to give recovery a good go without first.
Thank you so much again, i really needed that response xx
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I have suffered health anxiety for a fair while and the issue I have is I get all stressed out even going to a G.P so have handled alot myself! I have fear the G P may find some mysterious problem which heightens everything.
Sez's reply absolutely perfect!!
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Sez this post to Harlow is SO good.
As you said “we each have quirky responses that are individual to us” and I have certainly have had my unique mix. Your post explains some things in ways I either haven’t thought of or haven’t heard before, so it has been very helpful for me too. Thank you Sez.
I’m starting to think being on this forum might give me the help I need - maybe I don’t need go to a psych at all !!! 😅 Thank you so much Sez. Thank you all so much
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Thanks Harlow; (also to Bluewater and SYT)
It's very late, so just a short note to thankyou for the valuable feedback. If my posts help, it's all worthwhile and keeps me coming back.
Please feel free to ask questions and chat among yourselves. Finding commonalities in others makes a load of difference; you're not alone!
With researching, one thing leads to another. It's interesting and enlightening, but be sure to surf quality sites like well known national and abroad Uni's. I might pop back when I'm not tired and post some links.
You guys are great! I'm so impressed with your courage and commitment to your health and well being.
Warm thoughts;
Sez
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