Stress - causing me difficult physiological conditions

Mental health
1

Hi guys..

I love working hard. Whenever I found something i am really passioned with examples are work, new projects, learning a new habit etc -> I will give all of my best to do it.

I would ensure I will find first the right way to do it, that I would be effective and that I would certainly meet my goals.

With that I would always unconsiously overthink. Whenever I am on the train, on the bus or before going to sleep I would think about my goals -progress, what I have been doing wrong, what do i need to improve etc.. 

Generally during those times I would feel like I'm in the zone. I would feel like a basketball player on a hot streak because I like to see myself making progress to succeed in life. I would also feel really fulfilled in life. You could say  that for me 'stress is fun'.

However last year something dramatically changed.

I reviewed for the board exam. Did 6 months of intense preparation because the board exam is famously difficult with a very low passing rate.

During the review I found myself in a very grave situation. The intense pressure, overthinking and difficulty of the subjects (it was an engineering board exam) created an insane amount of stress in me. I found myself really anxious almost most of the time because I didn't really want to fail for my family (not for myself).

Now since then (6 mos have passed) I have observed that whenever I am thinking hard or concentrating on a specific tasks (I am now working) and I get worried I would feel these:

- Choking sensation in my throat

- Pain sensation around my neck

- Feeling of being stressed even when I try to calm myself

- Feeling of irritability -> I would be easily irritated by simple problems 

- I feel like I just want to stop ALL work related or any activity that involves critical thinking and just spend my days watching movies -> I just want to relax

My question is could those physiological symptoms be by-products of extreme stress? Do I have something like chronic stress syndrome or anxiety? I have tried reading some materials online but I can't seem to get a clear 100% category to fit in. 

PS: I am not hallucinating or something. I am not also feeling depressed or suicidal though I really feel like I just want to quit work in order to get rid of this stressful feelings. 

Thanks for the response guys looking forward to it as I really need your help. smile

2

Kevin

You sound like a perfectionist, and if you are finding something that is demanding and you feel lacking in your work ethick you become stressed and anxious.

You are no different to many a tradesman or technician with the same feelings of possible perfection.

I do not know what your job is, although if you are a builder or something and your posture is lacking you will feel the problems in neck. Throat problems you describe may also be caused by stress, some people actually cough to clear their throat when they feel worried or stressed and that is quite normal.

When it comes to medication talk to your GP, although I feel drugs will take away the edge of your work ethic and your concentration will be affected.

Your GP is around to help you, discuss your fears in Surgery

BOB

3

thanks for the help bob.

4

I am feeling so stressed.. there is this neck pain, choking neck pain.. like its contracting.. and the pain is kinda like its burning something like that.. my hands are twitching.. I am agitated, I feel like I'm jumpy.. I get easily stressed whenever I try to concentrate on my work.. even if I try to relax by breathing exercises the physical symptoms won't go away.. 

I did an online test meant to help those who might have an anxiety.. 

My score was 84 out of 100. The reading is that I have Extreme Anxiety.

I was not like this last year.. it only started on March when I overworked and overthinked myself on how to be successful in my career and in life because our family is not doing so well financially.

I have series of anxieties before, mostly it was anxiety due to physical symptoms that are mild compared to what I am having right now..  and before I can easily shrugg it off - I would just ignore it and then I would continue with my life normally

BUT now it for 3 months, I can't seem to just normally shrugg the physical symptoms..

For the past three months I would feel this intense physical symptoms when I get worried or when I get anxious over my physical symptoms.. -- that is I would get these physical symptoms when I "think" about it..

BUT today, when I woke up and travelled to the office, I was feeling fine (no physical symptoms and no anxiousness as lately I have been able to address my psychological and emotional anxiety)

So in short when I woke up I am feeling normally - no mental anxiety, no physical symptoms..

BUT when I arrived at the office today.. as I began to check my emails I began to feel different. NOTE: I am not worried mentally or anything. My boss didn't shout or anything. I am perfectly relaxed and calm. There is no new email. No new pending work.

As times passed by I began to feel this intense physical symptoms again today.. I began to feel the irritating painful neck choking sensation.. I began to feel agitated and jumpy.. my fingers are fidgeting and I feel quite nervous all of a sudden.. 

It's different from a panic attack where you majorly feel scared.. 

What I am feeling right now is like my body is experiencing intense and extreme stress. I can literally feel my nerves in my neck and in my chest are being stressed.. there's this constant choking sensation.. like its burning..

I need help guys. I don't have the money to go to a medical professional as the money I earn I give it to my family to support my brother's education. 

My question is:

1. Is this physical symptoms normal for a person suffering from anxiety?

2. Is anxiety curable? 

3. Is anxiety mainly due to my bad thought patterns I haved developed over the years? Because I am planning to change my personality from being worried into a relaxed and optimistic person so that I will no longer experience anxiety.

4. Do I have another medical condition like adrenaline rush syndrome or flight and fight mode syndrome or stress disorder? You know the kind of conditions wherein your stress response system (flight or fight) gets activated for long periods of time

5. What do I need to do?

I really need help guys..

I tried ignoring my anxiety and my worries as I normally would but these intense physical symptoms would'nt just go away - even if I am not worryng - it seems that whenever I try to work on something even if its a simple task I would start to get these.. 

Also note that for the past three months there are times when I would focus on doing something my mind would kinda distracted or relaxed and I would not feel these intense physical symptoms.. in fact for the past last week I only feel these physical symptoms last Saturday (June 3) and today is Monday(June 5)..