Too much anxiety

[Inner_strength]

For the last couple of weeks I've been having terrible anxiety ! I have no appetite and when I do eat I get acid reflux . I feel shaky and jittery and my head feels like there's a huge elastic band around my head and someone's pulling it tight ! The last few days I've been having jelly legs like they can't support me and they also feel heavy .

I do sleep well and can get to sleep ok but I wake up really early in between 4am - 6am and can't get back to sleep because it feels like a ball of anxiety is rolling around in my stomach trying to escape , it's a terrible feeling to wake up to !

I just wanted to vent and get some opinions on other people's experiences and self help skills

[blondguy]

Hello Inner Strength

Welcome to the forums and good on you for posting too!

I understand what you are going through as I have had severe anxiety for over 13 years and it can be a debilitating set of symptoms to have.

The lack of appetite, acid reflux and the jitters are all atypical of anxiety. (and the sleep disturbances too)

The anxiety is our adrenaline gland working way too much when we dont need it to. If we are in a true life scary situation the adrenaline keeps us alert. Right now though we dont need or want it...just some of my tips as long term sufferer of this awful disorder; (in a nutshell...just a few...if you want anymore just ask :-))

• check your environment for stressors that can bring on these symptoms (work, Uni or Personal, Family)
• if possible avoid any overly negative or critical people....they can have a detrimental effect on our health
• avoid any cellphones/tablets before bed if you can, they only overstimulate our thought processes...
• you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by seeing your GP....their training is much better nowadays

There are many kind people on the forums in a similar situation as you and I are...It would be great if you post back when convenient.

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Inner_strength]

Thanks Paul for responding .

I do try to avoid and do the points that you mentioned but at the moment nothing seems to be working .

So when our adrenaline gland is working too hard , is it good to try let out that adrenaline ? Because I feel like a ball of adrenaline is trying to escape me as soon as I wake up ..

[MsPurple]

HI Inner strength. Like blondguy I know how horrible it is to deal with debilitation and constant anxiety. At my worst it was taking up my whole day because it would not leave me for more than 5 minutes at a time. It is horrible. I just wanted to add that you are not alone.

Have you been seeing a psychologist or counsellor? I found for me talking to someone un-objective really helped (I also have depression as well as GAD). I also got CBT which helped me change my way of thinking about certain thing and helped give me strategies to overcome anxiety in the moment. If you aren't seeing someone about it I suggest you do. I wasn't keen to go at first but I got worse and finally gave in. I wish I did it sooner. If I could go back I would have seen someone sooner.

In the mean time have you tried breathing excersises when you are really anxious. I find slowing down my breath can reduce my anxiety (it doesn't get rid of it but it helps me avoid it excelating to an attack). I also meditate if I wake up and can't get back to sleep. Helps my brain shut up. I also find distraction helps like reading a book or watching TV (although you may not be able to always do this)

Hope this helps and keep us updated

[Inner_strength]

Thanks MsPurple I'm glad I'm not alone because I feel like I'm going crazy . The last two days have felt like that for me that my anxiety has lasted the whole day which has been exhausting and I'm at the point where I feel like I'm not going to get better !

I do see a councillor and she is lovely but I've only seen her 3 times and I enjoy talking to her .

I do try breathing exercises and sometimes they help but sometime not , I find that distraction helps a lot or just talking to someone about it helps

[blondguy]

Hey InnerStrength

Thankyou for posting back 🙂

The ability to 'let go' of that anxiety fear which is triggering the anxiety is why MsPurple mentioned seeing a counsellor. They can help us 'let go' by just talking to them and having a really good vent and a huge cry

You are an intelligent and articulate person, similar to myself. Sometimes we have to let our defenses down and be brutally honest with a doc/therapist so they can help us help ourselves.

I thought I was being a hero and 'fighting' my anxiety when it first hit me hard when I was 23. I was wrong...I waited 13 years until I really had that 'good cry/vent' with my counsellor. Having these visits really helped reduce the severity of my anxiety

Because its not a prescription medication I can mention what does work for the acid reflux.....In your supermarket have a look for some 'Gaviscon Dual Action' I am not a doctor but this should help you big time. Its helped me a lot when the anxiety also effects our digestive system.

Its great to have you as a member on the forums Inner Strength

We are here for you 🙂

My Best

Paul

[Inner_strength]

Hi Paul ,

i always feel better after I've had a good cry and a vent . I feel like I need to do that on a daily basis at the moment . 😢

I do take Gaviscon liquid which seems to help the acid reflux but I still don't have much of an appetite at the moment but I know I have to force myself to eat or I'll feel worse .

The worst symptom I'm having at the moment is weak legs all day long ! It's starting to worry me

[MsPurple]

Hi Inner strength and Paul. How good is a good cry and vent? I always feel less anxious and less alone when I do it.

Some other advice for acid reflux is maybe looking at your diet. Some people find certain foods can irritate their reflux (and with anxiety can make it worse). I also find if I eat lying down it makes it worse and eating close to bed time.

[Leets]

Hi Innerstrength far out this is quickly becoming me so know your not alone and this is the first time I have read that there is someone with the same symptoms as well!!! I have no trouble falling asleep but my anxiety has me tossing and turning. I know I get decent sleep because I dream quite a lot, and wake up ok.

I am trying all methods before going on medication but don't want it to get too much worse I have started seeing a holistic therapist and am taking the strongest over the counter med they can give me as well as rescue remedy stress spray and they both seem to be helping. I have seen my doctor about knowing when I need medication for it and he said that I will know and I will go to him he is great he is not pushy he was there just to listen. I hope this has helped I'm in no way the best advice giver but they are just a few suggestions that have started working for me. I'm also definitely open to suggestions myself as I'm pretty new at this as well.

[kristys12345]

I've felt im foing crazy for some time. And it makes me panic. There is nothing worse then waking with intrusive thoughts instantly ruining your day and those 24/7 symptoms nobody understands. There is no cure and no treatment that will work for everyone it is merely accepting you have it and forcing yourself to get things done