FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

Is anyone experiencing my anxiety symptoms

Eddy77
Community Member

Hi Guys,

 I feel so desolate, helpless and hopeless. I have been suffering from severe anxiety whereby I experience feelings of unreality. Meaning my surroundings seem dream-like and I can not recognize myself  in the mirror coupled with frequent urination, hissing sounds in my ears, agitation and crying as a result of this. Has anyone experienced these feelings ? 

3 Replies 3

angelite
Community Member

Hi Eddy,

I'm so sorry it has taken so long for someone to get back to you. Welcome to bb.

I can relate to what you are feeling except for the crying. It is quite common for people when overwhelmed, and anxious to experience detachment. Some days I have to remind myself who I am, what day it is, and everything looks strange. 

There are things that can help bring you back into the present. They are called grounding techniques and mindfulness. If you Google this you will find a lot of helpful information. My favorite is using my senses, or breathing meditation. You have probably noticed that when anxious it also effects your breathing if you can control that the other symptoms will be easier to manage. Even a cold shower may help bring you back to the present. Try distractions. Listening to music, reading, exercise, all good.

My other thought is have you spoken to you Gp he can provide you with a mental health care plan that will give you ten visits with a psychiatrist, or psychologist.

There are also help lines available bb have one and lifeline they are both a great source of help, support and information. If you have trouble with phone calls you can try the online option.

I'm concerned that you are feeling hopeless Eddy and I can understand how you are feeling and there are so many options available to you. Now is the time to reach out for help it is there.

I hope you can find the help you need, get back to us and let us know how you went. You are not alone Eddy and there are a lot of people here at bb that care.

Please take care

Karen

geoff
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

dear Eddy, thanks for posting and I hope that you are still checking your post, as sometimes comments slip through the cracks and no one picks them up.

You are suffering from extreme anxiety but to understand what is affecting you or making you feel this way, and I mention this only because each anxiety has different levels, and from each level the repercussions may differ.

Karen has suggested doing a couple of things which would really help you, but I hope that you can get back to us, and have trust in what people on this site can offer. Geoff.

Beltane
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Hi Eddy. Geoff and angelite have already given you excellent info on where to go for help. I can tell you a little more about these distressing experiences.

 

the "fight or flight" response is a humans response to a danger. When faced with threat or danger our body released adrenaline to prepare our body to fight or run away. To do this out body diverts our blood supply away from less inportant activities to the vital organs so we are best prepared to run. Unfortunately the digestive system and urinary system are considered less important so when the body moves the blood to more important areas like the heart and brain, the organs now with less oxygen and boos can act a bit funny- you can feel nauseous, have diarhoea, basically have all sorts of issues. 

 

in anxiety we Can have imbalances, like adrenaline as well as serotonin and others out pf balance which mean our body is frequently or almost always in a state of "fight or flight". for various reasons our mind perceives everything as a threat. The constant adrenaline and stress hormones causes inflammation, and stress reactions in the body. Along with the synptoms I mentioned earlier, we can get high blood pressure when stressed which may be why you are hearing noises in your ears- I can hear whooshing noises in my ears when I'm panicking as my blood pressure rises.

its well worth getting these symptoms checked out to make sure they aren't something else- like an infection in your ears or bladder causing it.

 medication and theraoy can do wonders, as ang elite said. 

Also the  feeling you get of "non reality" or "nothing being real" is called "disassociation" or "derealisation". It is another stress response and is very common in anxiety/ stress- Google it for more info and for ways to cope! (I suggest "mindfulness"- Google that too. It's about focusing on one particular thing eg a smell or texture- it helps the stressed mind to focus on one sensation and calm itself down. I get disassociation too and mindfulness really helps. It's just about being aware of the oresent moment by choosing one thing to intently focus on.

 

"ACT companion" is an iphone app I use that has many fun 5-10 minute mindfulness activities you can do when you feel anxious- I use it all the time! Smiling Mind is a great mindfulness meditation app on iPhone. 

"The happiness trap" by dr Russ harris is a great book using mindfulness and other techniques to ease anxiety.

 keep is updated with how you go!! Good luck!