Physical symptoms of Anxiety

[KK7791]

Hey guys,

Im a 33(f) year old, mum of 2, wife and full time uni student studying a double degree (for context). Ive struggled with depression and unstable mental health most of my life. However anxiety reared its ugly head 2 years ago when I had my youngest child. For the most part Ive been able to just “get on with it”. However over the past few months Ive been dealing with debilitating physical symptoms. Ive been taken to hospital, had multiple GP appointments, blood tests, holter monitors ect… and everything comes back as healthy. Medical professionals keep telling me Im just anxious/ experiencing panic attacks but offer no further info or help. I get heart palpitations, chest pain/ tightness, dizziness, brain fog, irritable, fatigued, hot, cold, numbness, the list goes on. Some times these episodes can go on for hours and even days. Im so lost, i really don’t know what to do. I dont have anyone in my life that I can talk to or would understand, i guess thats why I’m here. Spending $200 odd dollars on a therapist is just not an option atm. Has anyone else been in a state of “panic” for weeks? What did you do?? 

[Scared]

Yes earlier this year I had anxiety for a month straight.  I was constantly in fear and wobbly knees and my stomach was sick in some fear that wouldnt stop.  The only relief I could find was sleep or meditation.  I felt as tho I was on death row and to be executed the next morning that is best way to describe my fear.   It was horrendous .  I also tried excercise which helped a little.   But prior to this I was hospitalised for depression.  The interesting thing about the depression that time was how it manifested in my body.  I was so ill in my body that I didnt know whether I needed a psyc ward or a regular ward.   Im not saying this is depression thats affecting you but I want you to know how depression can change the physical manifestation each time.   Normally depression and anxiety for me was just in my head but now its changed to being a physical assault on me.  

[KK7791]

Yea wow, I know what you mean when you say sitting on death row. Its so awful. I never knew these things could be so physical. Like you say idk if I need medical help or mental help, but apparently I’m “perfectly” healthy. I honestly don’t even know where this fear is coming from either so idk where to start trying to find relief. Im sorry your struggling too but it is nice to know I'm not alone. Thank you for sharing. 

[Number 86]

I am sorry you have been suffering. It can get very exhausting. All the symptoms you mentioned are common for anxiety. I have health anxiety and OCD which can get debilitating.

Understand the cost for therapy however you maybe elible under medicare for 6 free sessions. CBT and meditation can help. When you have these symptoms call it out as anxiety and if you are constantly checking catch yourself and name it ocd. Surprisingly this has been helpful for me and resisting to check and worrying is hard but after a while, you don't worry as much. I honestly didn't think it would work but has helped a lot if I keep it up.

Another thing to keep in mind is anxiety is just the fight, flight or freeze response kicking it as it thinks its a threat. 

Its also good to know that before panic sets in you can rationalise with anxiety but when in panic mode the amygdala the part of the brain responsible for the anxiety response doesn't communicate to well with the frontal cortex and deep breathing, relaxation, meditation assist better in these instances but it takes some training. 

Also you are not alone, we are all hear to support each other through challenging times and its good to talk more about it as it can help getting it off your chest.

How are you coping at the moment? 

[KK7791]

Thank you for your advice. Calling it out is definitely something I struggle with because my whole life I've been told “oh your fine” or “get over it” so I just assume I’m over reacting or being dramatic. And like you say once the panic has set in almost nothing helps. I spoke to my GP about a mental health plan but she told me id have to come back some other time to do it and at $88 an appointment and a 2 week wait  to get in I just felt so disheartened. 

I am ok, I just feel really overwhelmed. Thank you so much for asking, it means a lot.