Physical symptoms of anxiety - "drunkenness" feeling

[Vegangirl91]

Hi everyone

Recently been feeling anxious in general all the time. Had one panic attack at night. I've had the symptoms of nausea, tingling, head jolts, palpitations, dry mouth, loss of appetite etc but just wondering if anyone has ever had a feeling of like loss of mental focus and sharpness? I am usually very sharp, and on the ball - organised, motivated and thinking 100%. But my mental mind has recently felt like spaced out or drunk. But I am able to do everything else fine.

Can anyone relate? Did it go away? Please help x

[Chicken_Wings]

Hey Vegangirl,

Ugh, yes, brain fog. I feel like I can't spell and my memory is somehow worse and sometimes I feel like I'm just a little bit removed from things, like Im looking at them from behind a sheet of glass.

It does go away. If you're feeling nausea and not eating, this contributes to it.
I've spoken to my GP about it and it is a side effect of anxiety. Your brain is so busy worrying, so busy doing other stuff that its not really doing some things to full capacity.

If you can make sure you give your body as much fuel as you can. You will notice it getting better.

[Guest_1055]

Hello vegangirl

  Are you new here? Ah sorry about you going through a panic attack.

I have come across a few people on here with the same experiences similar to yours....... Especially the loss of appetite. Is your spaced out feeling like a feeling where you are living in a dream, and things just seem a bit unreal? Almost like you are disconnected from life. If so, then I can definitely relate to you here. You are not alone.

Anyway just want to say hello, and give you a welcome hug.

Shelley xxxx

[geoff]

dear Vegangirl, I would think that you're just starting a new type of medication, and what you are experiencing can happen, sometimes it's really bad, while other times if you have tried numerous types of antidepressants (AD) you may know that some symptoms will disappear, but if you have sexual dysfunction, then you need to change your medication.

Just remember you have been given a drug to correct any unbalance in your brain with chemicals to help the neurotransmitters balance once again.

Once you start taking them, then all of the symptoms you mention can happen, some will subside away, while others you can either get used to them want to change medication, but the fog will eventually go away.

There is anti - nausea medication which can help you and then hopefully help with your appetite, and the dry mouth will settle down.

I do hope that you feel better soon. Geoff. x

[PatT]

Hi Vegangirl,

Yep, i experience the feeling in massive cycles - a week on, 2 months off, 2 weeks on, 3 months off etc. It's always in line with my mental/emotional state at the time - if I'm more anxious, it's worse, more depressed, worse. It's really bothersome because I know I'm pretty intelligent and sharp and it really gets in the way of my studies.

But there is a decent solution - MEDITATION! 90% of people that I recommend meditation to look at me like I've just served them a bowl of toenails at a dinner party. I was reluctant at first but it helps me stay grounded and aware of my body and mind in relation to the world around me. When I start experiencing that 'drunkenness feeling' I know I need to spend some time getting back in touch with my mind. Here is what I do:

1. Sit in a quiet place, comfortably, with my legs crossed & hands resting gently either together or on my knees.

2. Close my eyes, not tightly shut but relaxed, also relaxing all facial muscles

3. Focus on the rhythm of my breathing, keeping it at a constant pace - in through the nose and out through the mouth then eventually all through the nose.

4. Avoid thinking invasive thoughts - this part is essential. Essentially I try to think about nothing. When something irrelevant comes into my mind (e.g. what I'm going to have for dinner or a loud passing car) I imagine bundling the thought up into a piece of paper and throwing it into the bin.

5. Be aware of your body & how you're feeling - if you're anxious that's fine but think about why and how it manifests in your body.

I try to meditate for 15-30 minutes once or twice a day. I know it sounds difficult and it is at first but I promise it is the best cure to alleviate that drunkenness feeling. Let me know how it goes, Pat.

[Tony1234]

Hi all I’ve been on new meds for about 22 days and my anxiety is much better but that tipsy drunken feeling is there and gets worse when I go to go things such as drive, work etc is this normal