Anyone have any information on trapped emotions showing physical Signs in the body?

[Muscular_Tightness]

Hi,

It's my first time in this forum, I've been scouring the internet for some research on that "heavy heart feeling" I have extreme tightness in my body that I can't seem to shift with exercise, yoga, meditation, stretching or regular massages. (been trying these with a personal trainer since July last year)

I'm starting to believe its emotional. Its true that when I've suffered emotional pain I try to block it out, I've felt the feeling of the wind being knocked out of me when going through emotional situations and I have grown into a place where my body feels like its constantly bracing for impact. I can't unwind the tightness, I feel like a wrung cloth and I can't unravel.

I have recently been promoted into a more high-pressure role (no pay rise) and I listen to meditation tapes and breathing exercises and I can't seem to shift my energy to a calmer place. Sometimes just trying to take deep breaths sends me into a panic, because my chest is locked tight and when I can't take a full breath the effort sends me into a panic. (shoulders, neck, traps, hip flexes, ribs all tightly locked on)

I'm cynical about counselling as my mother is one and I've been to a few I didn't vibe with. (I would seek more professional help if I could to find one that understood what my body is doing to me) It's very hard to afford good mental health care, and even harder to explain what it is I'm feeling.

Any techniques I could try or people I could see? Any tips or words of wisdom welcome and encouraged.

SOS

[blondguy]

Hello MT

Welcome and good on you for being so proactive with your health by posting on the forums!

I understand where you are coming from as I used to have the same 'tightness' as well. It can be very discomforting and sometimes scary especially when our chest muscles restrict and taking a breath can feel awful. I used to have anxiety in my 20's and the symptoms were the same as yours

You are amazing for having tried so many avenues to feel better. I wish I did the same when I started getting these symptoms. I appreciate that you had difficulty with counseling as I also found it somewhat awkward in the early stages. Later on counseling saved my career and personal life...I just couldn't let my guard down to realize how effective counseling actually was

Our muscles tightening (and also digestive system) is our body letting us know that we are experiencing stress/some level of anxiety. Our adrenaline production will place our nervous system (muscle...breathing...digestive) into a state where we feel this way.

Using the 'Google machine' is great for simple health issues however with complex stress/anxiety issues we can feel a lot worse by self diagnosing using the internet as a tool to heal.

Can I ask if you have a good GP that you can 'vent to' ? Our GP's have better training now to treat the impact that stress has on our lives physically.....including the symptoms you have mentioned

Trapped emotions can result in our anxiety compounding itself without a really good vent to a GP/counselor. I am not sure about your anxiety levels (if any) but the tightness of the chest is a classic symptom.

It can take a heap of determination.....patience and perseverance to bring back the feeling of peace you have seeking. I didnt understand the value of counseling until I burst into tears in front of one.....It lifted 10 tons of emotional baggage off my shoulders....the relief I experienced from my mega cry didnt hit me for a day or so but it was like being emotionally 'free' again 🙂

You are more than welcome to post as often as you wish MT. There are also many gentle people on the forums that can be here for you too. The forums are also judgement free and a rock solid safe place for you to post too

Any questions are welcome

My kind thoughts

Paul

[Muscular_Tightness]

Hi Paul,

I can't thank you enough for taking the time to reply to me.

I think what your saying is right, and I'm letting my cynism for doctors and counsellors cloud my path to feeling better.

Its quiet devastating to bare all to a GP that you don't know that just wants to tick their boxes and go home. I have been referred to counsellors on three occasions (and for some reason my anxiety wouldn't let me walk right out to reception and book an appointment) and saw a therapist ($140 ouch) recently and she was sympathetic and listen to me cry but also said I just needed to take deep breaths (ah yeah would love to).

Is it normal for people to resist getting better? or maybe I'm scared of what my body is hiding from me.

I need to bite the bullet and see a GP again. (Doctors need a rating app so you can find one that suits your style)

Thanks again, it feels good to write on here and make a different start to feeling better.

[blondguy]

Hi MT

Thankyou for the kind post back

It is devastating to 'bare all' to a GP or a counselor....I was embarrassed and overwhelmed (with my counselor) after he pushed a few buttons about my childhood.....the tears were non stop. All I remember was worried about what the receptionist and people in the waiting room would notice about the look on my face...2 days later my mind was clear and I had my peace of mind back as I had never cried in front of a counselor before.

You asked an excellent question MT....."Is it normal for people to resist getting better? "

Absolutely it is MT....I wasted 13 years of my life (23 to 36) thinking I could self heal.....I was so wrong. That was a major screw up for me as I thought that seeing a counselor every six months or so was a goo idea...For me it wasnt. I resisted a lot....for all of those 13 years. I was also scared of what my body was hiding from me as well (my stress/anxiety) I kept searching for a physical reason...

Its really wonderful that you have found value by writing (venting) on the forums MT

You starting to feel better is seriously good

You are right about doctors needing a rating app lol. Even if you ask around with friends and relatives and find out who is happy with their doc is a great start. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by doing so MT...even if you know someone that has a great doc in a bulk billing clinic too

Great to have you as part of the Beyond Blue forum family MT

There is no thing here as a 'dumb question' either. Sure the forums dont have an 'immediate chat' function but you can ask whatever is on your mind. I joined the forums 2 years ago after being made redundant. I never knew how much support was available to me with my anxiety/depression

This is your thread and please keep posting when it suits you MT. You are not alone

Paul

[jelly12]

Hi there,

I have also experience physical symptoms with strong emotions. These have included that sensation of tightness throughout my whole body following a succession of traumatic events, like I was bracing myself for the next onslaught.

I have also experienced pain in my chest (like my heart being pierced) associated with grief.

At the moment I have a stressful job and I suffer from chronic gut problems. Interestingly, when I went on holidays, these went away for a week.

I have found some benefit from mindfulness exercises, as long as I do them regularly. I also find that having pets (2 dogs) helps me to cope and that after patting them and spending time with them, I feel physical benefits.