Anxiety and focus/vision problems.

Mental health
1

Hello,

After some advise please.

My anxiety has been really high lately however I have not actually had a panic attack in a good few months. I just seem to exist daily in a constant state of high anxiety.

My biggest worry is that my vision is completely off. It's very hard to explain. I don't feel detached or depersonalisated (as in the past) my vision is just so out of focus and blurry. My eyes are very fatigued because of the strain.

It feels like I have had 10 coffee's and I am wired constantly, internally I am shaking like leaf but physically am in good shape and look normal. Sleeping fine but always tired.

It's a nightmare in uni when trying to focus. I am fidgeting in my seat, sitting so tensed up it hurts. Constantly cracking my neck and shoulders through tension, and my jaw cracking side to side.

Driving home shock me up loads as I just had no focus on the road in front what so ever. I was zoned out but drove perfectly.

I get upset at times, not because of the course (which I love the subject and content) but because of frustration over how un-relaxed I am.

The disturbing thing is though, I wasn't in panic mode, my breathing was fine. Heart rate seemed fine, no physical shakes, I just couldn't gain any focus with my vision and was aching because of the muscle tension. I have checked my blood sugar and pressure constantly and it was perfectly (again paranoid as my anxiety is mimicking low blood at times).

My stress levels have been high though constantly thanks to my job and I have had a few upsets when the stress gets to me which is so out of character.

I don't know how to move forward and get past this.

I have tried meditation, I exercise loads, watch what I eat but it doesn't seem to do enough.

My doctor wants me to try Sertraline as he feels it's best for my long term.

I hate the idea of taking them but I can't continue like this. I have a postgraduate to do, job and mortgage to think of so really need to be careful if these tablets could take me out of it for a few weeks till you adjust rolleyes

Can anyone relate?

2

Hi. If your Dr thinks you should try the meds then do it. However the meds will take a while to work and have side effects. Di you Dr talk through all of these with you or other options available??

3

Hi Thomas,

Your vision problems do sound like anxiety which can make your eyes really sensitive to light, which then tires your eyes out, and of course anxiety makes you hyper sensitive to every little thing. Stress hormones are constantly coursing through your system which would make anyone tired. When you are in this state, everything seems frightening. Even symptoms that you've experienced before (and recognise as simply part of anxiety) can seem different and even scarier when they return. Meditation and exercise certainly help, but it sounds as though your anxiety is currently too powerful for that. Taking medication is not giving in. I'm not telling you to take it or not to take it, you have to decide. Have a really thorough talk with a GP or counsellor, you deserve to feel better and sometimes things have to get a little worse before they improve but you shouldn't keep suffering like this. Also, have you tried any mindfulness apps?

4

Hi. Thomas...I was curious if you felt better taking the Sertraline?  I feel I'm in the same exact predicament you were in with anxiety and vision problems.  My GP also wanted me to start Zoloft as well, and I feel I'm out of options.