What are your triggers and symptoms

[Orange1997]

I feel like we all think our anxiety and our triggers are abnormal and embarrassing.

When I get anxious, I often get gut issues such as bloating, sudden diarrhoea, nausea, etc. This makes it hard to hide and I find it quite embarressing if it happens in public or around friends.

Now my anxiety is caused by this and I am afraid that these symptoms will happen in public and I get anxious, expecting it to happen. But by getting anxious about it happening, I cause it to happen and it's an endless cycle.

Now my triggers may be not having access to a bathroom or being around a lot of people that will know if I have to go to the bathroom often because I am stressing.

It holds me back from doing things that I'd actually like to do.

I am working on my thoughts and I am moving forward and getting better.

I want this forum to be a space where everyone can share their own story and not feel embarrassed or scared of what people think. We are all just a group of people experiencing the same issues, just in different ways

[Swan_13]

Hi Orange1997,

I completely agree with the message you're trying to share with this post. I can see how the cycle you're experiencing would hold you back from doing things you enjoy but it is so positive that you have mentioned working on your thoughts. It sounds like you feel as though you are making progress and that is an accomplishment to be proud of. Hope is so important in recovery.

I agree with you in saying that everyone experiences similar issues in different ways - that feeling of connectedness can be so helpful in making people feel like they're not alone. Thank you for being so supportive and encouraging other people to also share their stories.

[Mina19]

Hello orange:)

literally the same thing happens to me when I’m stressed out or nervous/ anxious. I hate it cramps diahrea and churning. It’s very hard to explain but I just feel all this releases in my tummy and then things go to excuse my language shit. I’m 20 and this has been happening for like 3 years after a traumatic incident that happened to me when I was almost 17 but before that I was ok now I’m trying to cope and get some psychological help. All the best and I hope all our anxieties go away soon x

[Dan90]

Hi Orange,

I’ve had similar symptoms to you with the stomach cramps, nausea etc. However mine seem to manifest differently, I tend to get brief chest twinges when my stomach is playing up which then causes me to worry about my heart.

For some reason I cannot accept there is nothing wrong with my heart at peak times of stress. I will get a run of palpitations and that just sets me off worrying about collapsing, death etc.

At times this stops me from doing what I want to do, especially when very stressed.

For the most part I try to accept nothing is wrong (heart has been checked multiple times in the past) and try and dismiss my anxious thoughts and symptoms.

Dan

[JadedJade]

I completely understand the crazy cycle you can get into! It can become debilitating can't it?

I am sometimes confused with my triggers, sometimes I will have severe social anxiety and sometimes I am completely comfortable with new people. Although lately I've found the triggers to be more common than they used to.

My symptoms are usually nausea, not wanting to eat anything at all (left over symptoms of anorexia) and the overwhelming urge to leave the place I am, maybe quit my job then wrap myself in a blanket and hide under my bed 😄

Oh the Joy's of anxiety right?

[Whazp]

Burning face, head zaps, headaches & migraines, nausea, loss of sensation in limbs, dimmed / distorted vision, derealization, tingling, sore neck and jaw, confusion and concentration problems to name a few. Some of these are pretty much constant all the time and don't need a trigger.

Nothing wrong with me physically though.