Has anyone else actually got very physically "unwell" from their anxiety? I have recently had every test under the sun after becoming very unwell and it was eventually diagnosed as "psychological". My symptoms: Pins and needles in hands and one leg Tingling in scalp Muscle cramping/seizing Muscle Twitching Extreme weakness and fatigue Breathlessness Jittery/Trembling/Shaking Racing heart (Tachycardia) basically 24/7 Heart rate through the roof when standing Diarrheah mainly in the morning Unable to carry on or function with daily life Exhausted after bathing/showering Legs feel like weights when walking Hot flashes (I am only 24!) Constant headaches & migraine Dizziness and being light headed a lot This went on for 3 weeks and only now starting to settle a little with the help of Beta Blockers :( I have honestly had more blood tests, scans, urine samples, holter monitors etc that I do not even think another test can be done at this stage. It is just crazy to me that my own brain can make me so physically sick even when I am not consciously feeling anxious!
Just to add - I spent 5 days admitted into the Hospital because I was that sick! No physical issue has yet been found!
Anyone with a similar experience?
Yes of course anxiety can make you feel very unwell. “Your own brain” is in charge of the rest of your body – it’s the most powerful organ – we shouldn’t see them as separate. It’s really important to understand that.
I found CBT – cognitive behaviour therapy – extremely helpful for these sorts of feelings: it helps you understand the connection between mind and body and gives you tools and strategies to get you through. Look up “flight or fright” response. Diarrhoea is part of that – an animal response to make your body lighter when you have to do one or the other.
I think beta blockers are good – they reduce the physical symptoms and that has a knock-on effect on your feelings. Personally I prefer them to any anti-anxiety drug: no side-effects for a start!
Good luck.
i have felt all of these symptoms the last 4 months. doctors cant find anything yet. im just waiting to test my brain with an mri. i feel so horrible. i cant even feel my body most days
Thanks for replying. Anxiety meds do not agree with me at all either, Beta Blockers work really well for me and I take them as and when needed kind of thing.
It’s sad there is not more education on the impact of mental health on the body. I honestly never dreamed it could have this much of an impact on my physical health.
Sorry you feel this way. When you say you cannot feel your body what do you mean? As in if you touch your leg you cannot feel your own touch? Wow that is horrible! I do get A LOT of numbness and tingling but I can always feel my skin. Sometimes I get cramps and cannot bend my fingers when it happens, it really sucks
i can feel my own touch but it seems like i cant feel my body from the outside it feels like im floating
me i feel so poorly i cant cope anymore
I feel unwell often. I get chest pain and discomfort, aches, palpitations, nausea, headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath… it’s gotten to the point where every little thing makes me think something is physically wrong with me. Ive seen drs and had bloodwork and an EKG. I was recently in the hospital for what turned out to be a severe case of mono and asked a nurse about the PVCs I kept having and she said I was fine. Everyone says it’s anxiety.