Help! New anxiety?

[Sarah89]

I've always been, I guess highly strung sort of person, but this last week it has occurred to me I have anxiety and am having panic attacks. My mental state was amazing earlier in the year, the best in a long time. Then I came back from a holiday and ever since I keep feeling nauseated. Originally I thought I was sick, but I'm pretty sure its anxiety and I have no idea what I am anxious about. When I get an attack, I start by feeling nauseated, then within about 10 mins I feel hot and cold and shaky and my heart beats really hard and fast. These symptoms last maybe an hour, but then I still feel nauseated and like an indigestion chest pain for hours and hours after.  It's awful and I think I am making it worse for myself because every time I feel nauseated I worry I am going to feel worse and then I do end up having one of these attacks. Because of it I am having trouble eating and focusing on other things including things to  take my mind off it. I'm just laying around in bed with no energy, worrying about it. And before these attacks I didn't feel overly worried about anything, now just any thought of anything in the future pops into my head and I get a flutter of panic because I'm worried I will be too anxious to do whatever I need to do in life, eg, work, socialise, etc. Does it sound to other people like I  am having anxiety attacks? If so why is this suddenly happening when I didn't even feel that worried about anything in the first place? Also does anyone have an tips for nausea caused by anxiety? That is my worst symptom which holds me back from doing anything with my day.

[Paul]

Hey Sarah,

Great to have you here on the Beyond Blue Forums.

None of us can make a diagnosis for sure, as we aren't qualified to however, the most qualified is your GP or a psychologist. Why not gain a little bit of reassurance and visit your GP to chat about what you're feeling, you might then find a referral to a psychologist is helpful to get to the bottom of what's going on.

Needless to say it does sound upsetting and causes you physical symptoms and discomfort. That's enough reason to see your GP.

If you don't have a GP there is a list below "Get support" then "Find a professional"

Let us know how you go!

Paul

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Sarah89,

Welcome to BeyondBlue and thanks for reaching out.

I agree with Lats. Unfortunately, even though we may be able to relate to your experiences, each persons experience is different so the only way for you to know exactly what you are going through is by discussing this with your GP.  Anxiety can be caused by lots of things but sometimes what looks like anxiety can actually be something else, so best to get the all clear first.

If it is anxiety, that's okay too.  Often people will find that when they have an anxiety attack the same thing will happen in their body; maybe their heart starts racing, or they might be sweaty, or feel nausea.  This is known as a flight/fight response.  When our brain senses fear this response is triggered.  In people with anxiety attacks, the brain senses fear a lot even when there might not be anything to be afraid of.   The good thing is though, that it can be managed so that we can notice what's happening to us and calm ourselves down before it gets worse.

One thing that you can do when this happens is try and remember to write down what you're thinking and feeling at the time.  If you can be aware of your breathing this helps too - because often the first thing that happens in anxiety is our heart beats faster - so just try taking some deep breaths in and deep breaths out.  

Hope this helps a little.  All the best with your GP.

Take care,