Hi guys, just wondering if anyone else can relate. I'm a 26 year old male who seems to have spells of uncontrollable anxiety which last for months on end and then can suddenly disapear. So far i've had horrible anxiety and panic attacks for the past 4 weeks which seems like it is something so much more. I constantly have physical symptoms all day long such as extreme tiredness, constant adrenaline surges, feeling sick, aching and spasming muscles, anxious coughing, inability to breathe properly, lightheadedness and a feeling of being in a dream/ not part of reality. This is just to name a few. My main issue seems to be the lack of sleep. i always feel anxious before sleeping which is something i don't seem to be able to shift. Issue is upon falling asleep, i sudde jolt awake again panicking and heavy breathing. My heart rate feels like it slows down so much that it jolts me awake. This coupled together with waking up every hour means literally never getting any sleep.
Doctors have advised i get more exercise as i don't feel like i can leave the house. Upon walking little distances, my heart rate skyrockets and i get out of breathe meaning i have to come back and sit down to relax. Any type of exercise seems to make or trigger my axiety which makes me think it could be something so much more. i can't talk myself out of it not being just anxiety as so many thought race through my head all ends of the end.
I haven't been to work now in 6 weeks, i'm trying to force myself to eat and refuse to take any type of medication in case it makes my anxiety worse which right now i can't see how it can, but i have to avoid it as a trigger. I'm in a complete mess and can't convince myself it's something so small as anxiety. i've been to the doctor so many times to say what's going on and have had a multitude of tests for blood work, urine and stool samples, spironmeter, ECG which have all come back fine. I've even been to the A&E so scared that i was dying. The only way i can convince myself i'm not is having all these tests to say i'm fine which reassures me for a day or 2 before it all comes back.
i don't know what to do anymore so i've come on here to see what everyone else thinks.
Thanks
All of the physical symptoms you described are anxiety related and I've had the same ones myself from bad anxiety. It does seem crazy that just being overly nervous could cause such severe symptoms, but as an example: my friend who is an EMT told me you wouldn't believe the amount of 911 calls they get for heart attacks that end up just being anxiety/panic attacks. That right there tells you how severe symptoms of anxiety can be =/
I refuse to take medication as well, too many side potential bad effects and also, I honestly don't believe it is the right course of action in the long run. I do believe for some people it's neccessary, but everything I've read and been told by Drs/therapists is that meds are only a temp solution, and the only real long term solution is changing the way you react to your anxiety and how you cope with it.
Bc of this I see a therapist and I find it helps a lotttt. She has helped me rationalize so many of my irrational fears and I find just talking and saying these things out loud, in itself, is therapy for me. I do also have Xanax though, just in case I have a really bad day. Having the xanax, even if I don't actually take it, helps me a lot bc I know that I do have something that will help IF I really need it, and that calms me.
It sounds like your anxiety is really effecting you a lot. In my opinion you would be the type of person who would prob need to be on medication for a bit to get their mind right again. But, if you really don't want to try any meds then I highlyyyyy suggest you see a therapist, specifically one who specializes n anxiety. I think doing that could help you a ton. Also, I'm not a big reader but I bought this book "The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook (6th edition)" and it is amazing. It has sooo many helpful tips and so much interesting info in it about anxiety and why we have it. I wish I had read it earlier! I recommend giving that a read too.
Anxiety... I have the same thing.. My tests come back fine but I find one thing "off" with me and I'm already diagnosing myself...I won't take meds because I fear for addiction... Physical activity does help with anxiety as it gets your mind off of it... Also, hobbies... Binaural beats on YouTube... Just chill listening to it. Concentrate on how your breathing is.. Focus on your diaphragm and not your chest.. Acupuncture, massages.. All wonderful ways to relax.. Stay away from caffeine.. That will trigger it as well.. Also, sugar...Alcohol. Processed foods will trigger anxiety. Fried foods, also gluten and dairy.. These are all inflammatory stuff that wreaks havoc on your system... (I am not a doctor, I just went through all this...)
I've had my first CBT session a couple of weeks ago, however it wasn't really doing anything as it was just covering how i felt, no advice was given. I don't drink caffeine and haven't done in years, i do get cravings often for sugar, however i'll try and fight these from now on. As much as medication is reccomended to me, i just can't bring myself to take it. I do try and relax but it doesn't stop my mind from thinking. Even when my mind is focussed on the symptoms, i still get hot flushes and start getting anxious. Had a 1 hour panic attack last night follwed by another 1 hour attack 10 minutes later. have felt awful since and had terrible slep last night. I want to get outside and walk but i'm so exhusted i spend most the days in bed or on the sofa
Next question.. Not sure if you do this but stop the mind stimulants an hour before bed... No iPhone, computer, tablets.. Try soaking in an Epsom salt warm bath.. That helps big time.. Listen to some music.. Not hip hop or metal but try New Age.. Or even smooth jazz or classical...
Have you seen a therapist for CBT? Or you just tried it on your own?
If you used a therapist, I went through 2 therapists before I found one I really liked that helped me. Perhaps the one you went to was not good, I would try a different one in that case.
If you tried CBT on your own, I really think having a trained professional help you is best. They are skilled in it and know the best ways to help you calm your anxiety.
HI
Anxiety can really mess you up for sure. Your heart rate can go up if you have been sedentary and not getting any exercise. It is called deconditioning. The more you exercise, the stronger your heart becomes resulting in a lower heart rate. Your heart can take high rates as long as you don't have a cardiac condition. Even then. I have a benign condition called supraventricular tachycardia in addition to my anxiety. My heart rate goes up to 180 at times. Sounds definitely like anxiety to me. Have you considered seeing a psychiatrist? What does your primary care doctor think? You are not alone.
Hello Chris,
Lack of Sleep plays a major part in feeding Anxiety, the mind becomes unrefreshed and vunerable to negative thinking.
I suffered your exact symptoms , chronic health anxiety, and was prescribed 3.5mg Zopiclone to help me sleep then 7mg if 3.5 did not work.
Once the mind is relaxed again you can work on the Anxiety.
If you dont want to take Anxiety medication I would suggest the following...
Get plenty of exercise get the feel good endorphins moving.
Try and devote a little more time each day to living in the present moment, Anxiety is too much worry about what will probably never happen in the future. Anxiety needs time it cannot survive in the present moment.
Try adding Mindfulness to each day, just a little at first then more and more, eg when you brush your teeth feel evey sensation, the bristles on your teeth, the minty toothpaste, the cool water you rinse with etv.
Try a little Meditation, sit quietly and focus on the silence, be the watcher of the gaps between thoughts and try to experience bigger gaps in your stream of conciousness.
All your medical tests have come back clear, what a blessing, put your trust in the medical professionals, accept your great results now retake control of your mind.
Mental health is the illness where you are sat in a 'Mind Created Jail' but you also have the key to get out.
Good Luck
Namasté
Peace
Yes, I've been to many over the years.. They say the same thing...
Hi Gerald... My question was directed towards chrisk as he said he has tried CBT but did not specify in what setting. However, as you state you have tried many diff therapists and found no help, I would assume then that CBT just doesn't work for you as it does for others. Everyone has their own
ways of coping with anxiety, for example warm baths and music do absolutely nothing for me lol.
I'm having CBT with a therapist with my 2nd session tomorrow morning. I've decided to get an early night and to try and do some reading before bed. I do have a bad habbit of playing video games or falling alseep to netflix which might be causing a few issues. Feeling really tired tonight and managed to wave off 1 anxiety attack earlier. Just really tired.
That's good! I really hope you find help with the therapist. Everyone has dif ways of coping with their anxiety, but the therapy really worked well for me.
Sorry chris
Meant to reply to Jhow. How are you feeling?