I take some comfort in writing this and knowing I am not alone. My life seems to take a pause when I start feeling this way. Panic is so much worse in the morning. My appetite is gone. I fear sleeping as the next morning always brings the same. Veins burn with boiling blood, muscles twitchy and shake, mind races and a feeling of hopelessness comes over you, just want it to go away as you have people who look up to you and depend on you and coworkers and do not want to embarrass yourself in front of them. Seems hard to get anyone to take it seriously. Takes a month to get into any reputable therapist unless you tell them you are going to hurt yourself or others, they don't take you seriously or can't you get immediate help. I understand now why people self medicate. Only a lucky few have the means to get into see a doctor quickly and get meds right away. I tried Benadryl waiting to get seen by doctor. Doesn't work as well but does help at making you sleepy. As for me, I just want to sleep until it goes away, but I can't because of my responsibilities.
I fully understand the lose of appetite and theven symptoms you describe are spot on that's how I wake up every morning for the last 6 weeks I'm on 40mg of prozac for depression and anxiety been on them for just under 7 weeks still not much improvement
David I can totally relate because when I was in my twenties I had all your symptoms and more. Don't be concerned about twitching muscles because that's very common with anxiety and it's completely harmless. I have had that many many times. Athletes get those all the time.
I had no internet support and doctors don't do much except prescribe medication to relax. I was terrified thinking I was the only one with this.
Any symptoms related to anxiety cannot hurt you. I'm now in my fifties and still here. Lol. They are scary and weird but that's all they can do.
what has helped me is a few things:
A couple times a day I listen to meditations on YouTube for anxiety. They completely calm down my mind and my symptoms greatly diminished or go away. They have meditations for just about anything including anxiety, depression, sleep, etc. I use earbuds for a better effect .
it really helps calm down the racing mind. A racing mind is a sign of an over anxious brain.
In fact many of these meditations teach you how to separate negative racing thoughts from yourself and give you more peace of mind.
There is one called detachment from overthinking and another called clearing subconscious negativity.
A great one to start with is called mindful meditation for relaxation by Glenn.
there are many to choose from. I think they could really help you!
try these instead of the Benadryl. My mind tends to race when I'm lying down to try to sleep but the meditations really help a lot because my mind is focused on something else. Very often I fall asleep before the meditation is over. They have some great ones for sleep. If I wake up in the middle of the night I will either play another meditation or listen to nature sounds like ocean waves or thunderstorms.
you are right, most people cannot relate so they just don't understand how we are feeling. That goes for doctors too. So we have to be our own best friend and be determined to manage this. Be good to yourself because it's not your fault.
just don't react with fear and anxiety when you get symptoms because that will increase adrenaline production which will increase anxiety and symptoms. It's a vicious circle. I found that you have to have the attitude of "this is no big deal. It won't hurt me and it will pass."
it takes a little time, but if you were determined to be the one in control and not the anxiety, you will regain your peace of mind in your symptoms will being very manageable. Get into see the counselor whenever you can because it's very helpful.
I was so relieved to know that the symptoms are not harmful.
you'll be fine! ❤️😁
David
I know how you feel, the most important person you deal with on a day basis is yourself. You will never give your best when you feel so low as you do at this time as trust and understanding of others always takes a knock when we do not feel at our best. We have to know how to control the negativity that is our condition and try and look for positive outlooks.
Know yourself and move on to a better place within your life choices
BOB
I am frustrated with how many people think it's a joke and how condescending people can be. Automatically think it's about getting attention. It's not. I literally want to jump out of my own skin. I dealt with this problem on a much larger scale 8 years ago and took myself off my meds and was feeling better. Now something triggered it again and I feel like a horses rear end. I am not the person who goes to the doctor almost ever. My psychiatrist retired. My doctor retired. So I started dealing with the symptoms at work. Federal job, boss was not happy. Not understanding and made me feel worse. I just today went on temp disability. I hope I can get a grip on this condition.
Jan, the beast is only present in the morning. The shaky night sweats combined with ever muscle in my body seemingly stressed. I carry the load in my back it seems and can't stop bouncing my knee when sitting. I know I am not dying but there is something in my brain making me panic and the fear of showing others my symptoms frightens me. I am afraid to go too far from my house or be in a store too long or large crowds. My chest hurts and nerves go into overload. I am a happy chipper person normally. I hate that it's getting the best of me. The drugs mask the problem. Zombify me and make it hard to be around people. Luckily I found a doctor who seems to understand and a couple people who also have the condition under the radar. I don't know if they are humorist me or really have experienced it, but I will take what I can get.
Better life choices are no longer a choice. I have kids and a loving soon to be wife who depend on me. Been at my job 30 years. Looking forward d to retirement is the only life choice there is left for me. I am fine with that. I am happy with my life so far. But apparently this ugly beast does not want to get off my back. I starting therapy Wednesday and I am looking forward to it. From my past experience with this disorder, I can tell you the meditation, insense, raki, serenity music, hypnotism does not work and I can't for the life of me remember how I came through it last time. But I will prevail.
Your anxiety and depression are exactly the same as mine . I wake up like that every morning . I try to stay awake at night as long as possible so that I sleep longer in morning . I feel at my wits end and truly believe I can't take much more . I've actually thought about ending things but lack the courage . I just need help of some sort like you do too . There must be some medication or answer to your problem and mine
Ray, do not get depressed. Go to doctor. Get xanex. Much better and faster than kalanapin. Makes the day much easier. I have not found out how to beat the sleeping problem yet, but I am working on it. As soon as I get up, I take a xanex and lexapro and then sit in a comfortable spot for 20 minutes to half hour and you can literally feel the xanex calm your nerves. Mornings are rough. But by afternoon I am closer to myself again. I fear going to bed because I know what the next morning will bring. Like going through withdrawals for drug addicts only I don't do drugs or drink. Amazing I know but little good that does me, right? Ray, don't let the monster beat you. You are not going to end your life. This will pass in time. I can not say how long. My last bout took 3 years to come out of. But when I did finally come out of it, I felt great. Just wish I knew what was triggering it this time. Guilt, childhood trauma, work, kids, I don't know and that's what is bothering me right now. Have to play detective. Kind of neat in a way. Therapy helps. But time is your friend and really will heal all wounds.
Thanks David . Your morning symptoms are just like mine . I need to try and be strong like you . I've had different health problems this year and they have took their toll on me . I have a terrible throat at the moment that they have used a scope for and said it's reflux . I don't drink and have stopped smoking and changed my diet to where I don't eat alot . And only good stuff when I do . But noting has changed . So starting to worry what's going on to where I can't take much more . Takes ages to see a gp and thenjoying I don't know if they will listen as they already think I'm quite paranoid about health . Just want to curl up and leave the world at times . What is xanex
Hello Jan
I know I am in my eighties,but morning anxiety is awful,hard to start day.I am on cilotropam Tired all day.Do you know how to beat this thanks