Hi everyone,
I’ve suffered with severe anxiety on and off since i was a child. i’ve always been a worrier by nature, but these last 4/5 months my anxiety seems to have spiralled out of control and I’ve been experiencing physical symptoms such as -
more frequent need to wee
headpain/headaches
feelings of nausea
hands feel shaky all the time
dizziness
vision problems - specifically floaters and dots
i went to see my GP in November and was reassured that it was most likely anxiety rather than anything physically wrong with me. I had urine and blood tests both of which were normal. I also visited my optician for a full and thorough eye test and got a clean bill of health from that.
Im just constantly consumed by a fear that there is something wrong with me and that I have a serious medical condition. i would say it consumes my mind 95% of the time that I’m awake. i feel ultra alert to anything that my body does and im completely miserable.
I dont really know why i have chosen to post on here, suppose its in the hope that I’m not alone and other people are/have gone through the same issues as I am?
thanks for reading
hi there, you could be describing me, i feel exactly the same. I feel that i am hypersensitive to everything that goes on in my body. A minor twinge or pain, before i can even process it the panic has taken over and im then fighting to stay in control. im mentally exhausted from arguing with myself constantly, telling myself its the anxiety symptoms but then wondering if it could be something much worse. i started sertlaline around 8 weeks ago, 25mg to start with then 50mg 3 weeks ago. ive had an initial period when starting both doses of being back to myself but then the anxiety has crept back. im hoping its earlier days and looking at other posts that after 8-12 weeks of being on a higher dose ill start to feel better. If you havent been to the doctors i would suggest going and getting some medication if you have tried everything else. it helps to talk and know that others are experiencing the same, you are not alone.
i could have listed the EXACT same symptoms- in fact ive just posted asking similar.
i had cancer last year and have lived in a state of panic since- i feel everything you have listed 24/7!!! Its horrendous, like you- has consumed my life and I often think i have a brain tumor.
I am 4 weeks into citalopram, not working yet but only on 10mg and have a telephone appt with doctor on thursday. i also have diazepam every day but nothing helps! Just want to feel like the old me- be able to be the mummy i was before this and go back to my job that i love!! couldnt think of working right now- struggle to even look at screens!!!
hope you are doing ok today-
Hi Craig,
I too, have suffered from health anxiety for many years. My therapist said something to me not long ago that really just clicked, and I hope it will help you too.
Lets say you go car shopping and settle on a new blue Honda. You love the color and have never really noticed many others like it on the road. Once you start driving it you then start to notice every other blue Honda on the road, and realize there are actually a lot!
Now lets say your driving down heart attack lane. You know they exist but you aren’t at risk and have never really thought about it before. You get a twinge in your chest and start googling symptoms, imagining what-if scenarios. Now that you have more information on it you know exactly what to look for, and now that you’re hyper aware of that area of your body, all of a sudden symptoms start popping up that could be related to it. Soon enough, you’re in a spiral.
If doctors have looked you over, then most likely your symptoms are related to anxiety. Try to distract yourself and see if the symptoms start to fade. Notice the parts of your day that are worst for you during a flare up and alter them to meet your needs. Mine is worse at night, so if I am going through a flair up, I sleep with the tv on to distract my brain.
I hope this helps!!
Thanks for the responses.
It’s nice to know that there’s support out there from people who have/are going through the same things.
I think my biggest issue is letting things bother me that really shouldnt, I worry about things that probably wouldnt be worries for most people, and after doing this for a prolonged period of time, the body starts letting you know that you’re too stressed. This in turn stresses me out even more, its like a viscous cycle!
This past 12 months has been tough for everybody, I’ve had quite a lot going on and maybe everything has just caught up with me a little bit.
I’m hoping that eventually my mind will calm down & in turn the physical symptoms will wear off. One little step I’ve recently taken (and stuck to so far) is to stop Googling symptoms. It really isnt helpful and I’d advise anybody with similar issues to me to do the same.
I’ve also bought a journal and started writing in that. I find it helpful to get things down on paper. I’m hoping in a few months I’ll be able to look back on what I’ve written and a lot of the issues currently bothering me will no longer be there.
I’ll keep you updated, thanks again for the responses I’ve found them helpful.
Take care & stay safe