what physical feelings of anxiety do you get?

[annabay]

hey there, what physical symptoms of anxiety do you experience?

I often feel very alone in my experience of having physical chest (what I think are heart) spasms and was wanting to create a space for everyone to list their physical feelings that come hand in hand with anxiety so we can all feel less alone.

hope everyone is well.

[Guest9337]

12th of Oct 2021 is much better, thank you everyone for the kind sharings.

Other times my anxiety just feels like excitement and is somewhat energy sapping to contain my excitement and perform in a calm manner!

Like the few minutes before about to speak to a large group... anticipation!

[bluemoonbluesky]

Hi Meliss, sorry to hear about your panic attack while driving. I had probably the most embarrassing panic attack ever last month whilst walking through a park with a friend. For whatever reason something triggered me and the fast heart rate, dizziness, and unease started, including the weird chest sensations. It was the first time in ages I thought something was really wrong. You know, those dreaded "I need to go to emergency now" thoughts. To make matters worse, my (unprepared) friend literally thought I was having a heart attack, until I had to calm down enough to explain what was going on.

We went to buy some water and I couldn't even fumble in my pocket for change I was shaking so much, I must have looked really bizarre to the cashier. My friend bought me the water and all I could do was sit there on a park bench and chug it whilst I shook and she looked at me in bewilderment - she didn't know I even had anxiety so it at least opened up the conversation! She was amazed at the physical impact it had on me and had never seen someone have a full on panic attack. She sat there and held my hand as I dared my way through it. Probably took a good 30-40 minutes until I was able to get up and walk confidently again.

I tell you what though - when you get over the top of the panic attack wave and you start to calm down, it feels like a real achievement. Like you stared something in the face and won, again. We are very brave. Nobody can ever take that away from us. I went and had a meal later alone and sat there in a sort of daze, reflecting upon and not taking for granted my calm state. As I ate my food, I was just so grateful for it and feeling okay again. A simple meal, nourishment, and just feeling okay again. Sometimes it's the little things, like buying a sandwich from Subway the other day and just being thankful for the smile or someone doing their job in making something for you. I'm thankful for the people that think they do public-facing crappy jobs but give me moments of solace and socialisation, just a little bit, everyday. Anxiety puts things in perspective.

[Moonchild 11:11]

Thanks for your reply that was actually really insightful. I keep trying to find a physical reason for all my symptoms despite being willing to accept that it’s anxiety my pesky brain likes to think otherwise… I’m starting with a new psychologist next week I’m really hoping it helps… it’s crazy isn’t it? I find myself thinking of the physical symptoms would just go away then my anxiety would too, it’s hard to acknowledge the anxiety is actually causing the symptoms for me and I think that’s what’s keeping me in this cycle if that makes sense?

[Moonchild 11:11]

Thank you so much for this post it’s as though you took the words right from my mouth! I too get really hung up on the physical symptoms I’ve been to the hospital twice and called an ambulance in the last three weeks, panic attacks are new to me… it’s like I just start to accept that it’s anxiety and then I’ll have the symptoms appear out of nowhere and then I think I wasn’t even thinking anything so it must be a physical illness… the physical side of anxiety is no joke! It’s so hard to pull myself out of this cycle of fearing the fear it’s like I’m in a constant state of anticipation even when I don’t realise it… it’s exhausting and I’m not a fan of this at all, I just want my life back. Sorry for rambling… I just needed to get that out I think

[Rossi1968]

Hi. I’m new on the forum it’s only been a few days on here.
My physical symptoms are pins and needles both arms and legs hot and cold flushes. When it’s bad I shake all over every part of my body.
I have never been on a forum before and I have to say you are all the most bravest sincere open honest great people I have ever experienced

[PinkFish]

This is my first post! I've found this post and the replies to it super helpful and it's comforting to know that there are others experiencing the same things as me. I have never actually been diagnosed however my anxiety first appeared in the form of panic attacks in my early twenties, around 10 years ago.

The first symptom I noticed was 'air hunger', the terrifying feeling of chest tightness and not being able to get enough air into my lungs. Followed by the usual panicking symptoms, a racing heart, sweating, and feelings of despair or 'impending doom'. I often feel my air hunger gets worse when I'm eating?! Which is strange and I've never heard of anyone else experiencing this so I'd love to hear if others have. These episodes can last for weeks at a time and then just as suddenly can disappear for months or even years.

Aside from this, I also notice tingling in my fingers and toes when taking a deep breath in, fatigue, digestive issues, bloating, random pains in random body parts, headaches, dizziness and everything looks brighter. The physical symptoms that come with social anxiety are very different and are more manageable - it's the health anxiety that really gets me.

I've taken myself to A&E 3 times over the last 10 years thinking that I'm dying, and nothing has ever come of it. I'm constantly googling symptoms, regularly visiting different GP's with different symptoms and I often have to talk myself out of the idea that I have some sort of deadly disease. It's pretty debilitating but it's great to read everyone's stories on here and know that we are not alone. You all are very brave to open up in this way.

[Sophie_M]

Hi PinkFish,

Welcome to the forums, and thank you for sharing here. It sounds like you’ve been going through it for a while, but we agree, sharing with others is a great step towards feeling better.

Our lovely community members will be able to relate to some of what you’ve been going through and be able to share some of the wisdoms that have helped them. We’d like to suggest starting a thread of your own if you’d like to share more of your story and your perspectives.

Thanks again for sharing, it’s not always easy so we hope you can be proud of having taken this step.

Kind regards,

Sophie M

[bluemoonbluesky]

Your post really resonated with me, thanks! I used to feel brave telling my story, but it has really helped me and I have no hesitation to tell people what I have been through anymore. I am currently laying on the bed with relaxing music and a cup of tea after a tough week.

I come back here sometimes, usually when my physical symptoms spike. It gives me comfort to know I'm not alone. Unfortunately I ate something bad last week and after the usual stubborn days of not getting better (and me being stubborn), I took myself to a doctor who diagnosed gastroenteritis. I've had a horrible week with my digestive system. My dizziness and head pressure, which comes in spells, has returned, probably due to the anxiety around eating. To be honest, I have felt awful. I really need some good food and sleep.

At the start of my anxiety journey and panic attacks I took myself to emergency a few times. Now I just let it happen. Crippling dizziness? Welcome back. Headaches? Hello again. Depersonalisation? Oh yay. Random bodily sensations and pains? They eventually go away. If they want to get worse, then fine - come and take me. Everytime I have gone to a GP nothing has been wrong. The physical symptoms of anxiety can be debilitating but are mostly manageable these days, even if I don't feel that good, thankfully.

[Butterfly93]

Hi guys I’m new to this forum but I do like all the replies on this chat, it helps a bit.
for me:

chest tightness

stomach tightness / abdominal

Breathing - hard when my body is tight and restricting - so find myself yawning

jittery and very irrational thoughts, not being able to sit still or concentrate

pains and aches like tight neck and sore back

and recently a bit of tummy pain and restlessness like, moving around in my tummy

I’ve had GAD diagnosed for almost 3 years now, it peaked badly at the start when I was diagnosed, in a lot of denial about it all and thought there was something wrong physically. then I got help and I managed at a better level - but have always had it

but only in the last month or so I’ve had frequent panic attacks and I’m only now just starting to realise and some symptoms have come back - it’s really not nice and thanks for sharing everyone!
🙏🙏 you are not alone

[Butterfly93]

Yes I have recently got weak legs when I sense a bit of panic coming on… it’s happened a few times - and nausea / bit of like unbalanced feeling?? Hard to explain

its like, as soon as I witness a new symptom pop up, it gets worse because I get fixated on it