Is it Anxiety?

[Whazp]

Hi All,

Back when i was a teen i suffered from OCD (Obsessive thoughts about food poisoning) & some sort of GAD - cant remember the specifics. Was put on medication and after a while everything picked up and life was good. Stayed on it for about 12 years until 2 years ago i decided that i didn't need medication anymore because i was doing so well. What a mistake that was... Got hit with some work stress pretty bad and started having faint dizzy spells. Had brain fog, irratibility etc. Ended up re-instating the medication after a little over a year & things started to pick up again. After a few months of being on the medication again i started having strange physical symptoms for around 2 hours each evening after eating and taking the medication. Thought that the medication was hurting me and i tapered off it in about 3 weeks. Ended up with'discontinuation syndrome' - id never wish it on my worse enemy.

Its now 5 months out from last taking the medication. What im not sure about is am i still experiencing discontinuation syndrome or is this what anxiety feels like? I have the following symptoms in isolation or sometimes together. Intensity varies and the sensations are not always the same.

• Tightness in forehead like a constant pressure in the head. Difficulty concentrating.
• Regular tension type headaches - usually left side.
• Weakness in the body - find physical exertion bombs me quickly
• Numbness in limbs
• Constant tingling sensations in the body and limbs.
• Feeling like going to pass out - not too often.
• Burning sensations in the face
• Some tightness in the chest
• Slight tremble
• Derealization - feels like im watching a movie picture. Feels like on drugs but without any euphoria. Has improved slightly.
• Random ringing in ears - only lasts a few seconds. Happens occasionally.
• Sometimes rapid heart rate.
• Confusion occasionally.

Is this Anxiety? I always thought anxiety was feeling nervous about something. Often i get these symptoms but im not worrying about anything?

[stormcloudz]

Hi concernedwife

That's really interesting and I can relate - let me get to a quiet spot later and I'll respond properly.

[stormcloudz]

Hi concernedwife

I have been a carer for loved ones with serious mental health issues for some time, and have been through many of the worries you have described in your other post.

My own issues were obscured by the greater dramas happening around me. It's only recently that I have gained a better understanding of anxiety, and like you, realised that I have tended towards this most of my life. I think it's a mix of original personality plus a series of traumas.

I now understand that anxiety has both a physical and mental component. The two are so connected I'm not sure it helps to separate them, but my understanding of one of the theories is that in some cases the serotonin in your brain can essentially stop working. This has a whole bunch of physical and emotional implications.

I got to the point where I could no longer function. The physical symptoms overwhelmed me. It was a surprise to me - I'm one of those Type A personalities who pushes on....and that was part of the problem. I did not believe in medication, but I had to change my mind when it worked. It did not stop all my emotions or make me falsely happy-happy, instead it got me back to functioning, and to a point where I can work on the thought patterns that contribute to the issues. It was really important to me.

I think you are very wise to recognize your own struggles. I definitely think you should get support, of all types. Like Lici, I suggest making sure your GP has a good understanding of anxiety (not all do, I was lucky and chanced on someone great).

It's really important to look after yourself when caring for someone else, especially if you have a tendency towards your own issues. I think this makes us more compassionate, but also makes us more scared of being dragged down. With a support structure around you, and some coping techniques, you are better able to support your husband, and be acting less from a frantic sense of panic, and more from a patient and compassionate place.

Lots of love and support to you from someone who understands : )

[Concernedwife2018]

I have been to the doctors and have been prescribed something to help with my anxiety- it is only on day three now so haven’t seen any improvements yet.

i think they are making me feel nauseous but that could also be my brain going in overdrive still?

Everytime I think I’m feeling ok, another thought comes across my mind and I cannot shake it again. Last night wasn’t so great I kept waking with that sick feeling in my stomach ..... I’ve had enough now.

anyway, fingers cross in another week or two I start to feel better and can see an improvement in myself.

[Lici]

Hi concerned,

I'm glad to hear you went to the gp and that you're receiving help.

Nausea is a very common side effect with most medications but it usually goes away in a week or two. Do you take your medication with food at all? I've found that this can sometimes help with the nausea.

Just remember that you can always go back to your gp if you have any concerns. I went back to mine when I was concerned about starting my medication and my gp was really great at explaining things and alleviating my worries.

I really hope it all goes well for you!

Kind regards,

Lici

[Blondie24]

Hi, i'm new to this site and I have been around anxiety all my life and have developed it myself no one other than my close friends and family know and my anxiety attacks have been happening more often and sometimes getting worse, school, peoples houses, when I have people over and uptown, i'm not sure how to deal with it.

[stormcloudz]

Hi Blondie

Welcome : )

Anxiety can be horrible but it can be treated. Often this involves a combination of physical therapy (eg exercise), medication (if required) and counselling (to learn anxiety management).

If you are based in Australia, a good place to start is with a GP who specializes in mental health (see Lici's advice a couple of posts up). The GP will give you a simple questionnaire to understand how you are feeling, and will then discuss options with you. Is that something you could do?

In the meantime, try slow breathing when you are anxious.It's really simple but it can help. Breathe in slowly for about 5 counts, then out slowly for the same (or more if you can). Another really simple thing is to wiggle your toes.

[KitEmily]

Hi 👋 I New to this site. But my doctor recommended Headspace (meditation) for me, which when I used it really helped. The man who speaks during the meditation has such a calming voice he always helps me out. If you do meditate I recommend scheduling time to meditate, as I tend to leave it and then I’ve gone months with our meditating and feel really bad.

also going outside and exercise really helps, I’ve got an app called Zombies, Run if you’re into that sort of thing it prompts you to run while you listen to an apocalyptic story (using your headphones) my doctor recommended physical exercise and mindfulness.

I hope that Headspace / Zombies, Run could benefit you.

And I hope you learn to deal with it, mental health is a mountain climb at Times but it gets easier with following steps and a routine I’m told.

Kit

[stormcloudz]

Hi concernedwife

How are you going now? Are you feeling anxious?

I get nausea from the anxiety itself, so that could be the cause in addition to any meds.

PS KitEmily - I've heard about Zombies, Run! I can't decide if it would be fun or scary : ) I use Headspace too.