It's anxiety trust me. I'm only 17 aswell first panic attack when I had phenomia after being in a dirty hot tub. My antibiotics brought on my aniexty also a few other stresses since then. I became health paranoid never out the doctors then I got my blood tooken as I thought I was allergic to cats and fainted after it as I got all worked up. Which made my anixety worse. 5 months on I have days like I've never slept then other days they are ok if I'm tired I go for a sleep I get absolutely exhausted if I have had anything stressful happen in my life that's when my anxiety comes back! And I feel scared of everything. Relax, eat healthy take a little walk each day it helps
I feel like this too alot I read online it might be because of clomid which I think is in medicine (unsure) but as I have been taking no medication i don't know what it is
Hi everyone, I was just searching around for some help here as well or atleast a clue as to whats going on. Quickly I will explain, I am 30-years old (male) and when I turned 18 I passed out for the first time. Since then I haved passed out and woke up in the er 6 times. I am constantly dizzy and tired and my head is in a fog I feel as though I cant concentrate on anything. Now the thing is as far as the passing out my doctor told me it might be Vasovagal Syncope. Something to do with a nerve by your brainsteam that controls the flow of blood to your head. And I agree I do think thats what causes my pass-outs. However when I turned 20 my brain went in to this fog and I am constantly dizzy and to this day I still am. I take both anti-depressents and hydro-codine (to treat the syncope) but still the fog... sigh... any ideas? (sorry for the bad grammer)
I have had these problrms for 4 months now.... I always go to be thinking the next day will be better, but seems like if i get more than 7 hours of sleep, I feel horrible. But when I get 6 or less I feel "Normal" and I can function better, I just turned 16, and Im not sure what to call it, I like black out or dont remember what I just did. Only when I hang out with my friends I feel a bit more normal, im not sure, but its just irritating, I also cannot hear as well as I could and my eyes go fuzzy here and there, please help me. :-P
hello. i am a 19 year old male taurus, i am a very spiritual person who feels the same way all of you do. I have the same symptoms. i think it is alot more complex than people think. i dont remember who on here said it might be something new that scientists( human beings just like you and i) have not discovered. i agree with that statement in a way. i am still trying to figure out the answer just like all of you. I know this is gonna sound crazy, and no offense to anyone, but are any of you psychic/ claravoyant? ( please no negative remarks) THIS IS ALL IN MY OPINION: this world consists of energies and things most arent aware of. all of our thoughts travel through everyone we come into contact with and whoever we think about. its like an invisible never ending wave of thought if you will. i feel everything and everyone. All of these medical terms used to lable people are wrong in my opinion. medication is made by humans, tested on animals, and for what? we get medication and it doesnt work...we give it back and in return get more chemicals to consume.
Mind over matter is a very powerful saying. kinda like outta sight outta mind. We all obviously fear death. why? all the loved ones we have lost are no longer here. Where are they? Energy cannot be created nor destroied, only transfered. where then does this leave us to transfer to, considering the fact we are all energy. I do not know why this is happening to all of us but i will figure it out and when i do i will post again. we all need to stick together and keep a positive attitude. it is more powerful than you think. everything starts with a thought and ends in result. negitive yields negitive and positive yields positive. i know it is hard to control. this is exactly why we must do what makes us happy.
LOVE & LIGHT TO ALL
Mind over matter is a very powerful saying. kinda like outta sight outta mind. We all obviously fear death. why? all the loved ones we have lost are no longer here. Where are they? Energy cannot be created nor destroied, only transfered. where then does this leave us to transfer to, considering the fact we are all energy. I do not know why this is happening to all of us but i will figure it out and when i do i will post again. we all need to stick together and keep a positive attitude. it is more powerful than you think. everything starts with a thought and ends in result. negitive yields negitive and positive yields positive. i know it is hard to control. this is exactly why we must do what makes us happy.
LOVE & LIGHT TO ALL
I know what u mean, i feel the same i feel am going to die everyday, pain in my head feels getting worse day by day and doctors saying am mental, well when i do collaps and die they gona wish they had listend to me even my own family don't help well wot can they do i guess am just waiting to drop dead any time. i feel scared and alone alot,
its good that u going to work if you well enuf, when allah wants u he will take u. i guess xxxx:)
its good that u going to work if you well enuf, when allah wants u he will take u. i guess xxxx:)
i got diagnose with anxiety and depression october last year i suffered with childhood depression but thought i grew out of it i had a bad past and relationships and lost my job and now im on esa contributionbased cant get no help from government for loans for xmas gotta pay for my medication what costs 28 a month and im a single mum of a 5yr old girl ive got all the symptoms u guys have and got told its gotta do with my condition but then how can my condition get better if i cant get anyhelp from anywhere i worked 3yrs at a bakery and was bubbly and always got told im a good friend and mother but that dont help my councillor is great but sometimes i feel like im alone i have no support of my family and only a few friends i can rely on and i understand where u guys come from ur body works on stimulants hormones etc that r affected by our moods and actions so even we feel like death we gotta go out and do something but its harder done then said and lots of times we dont wanna cause were that drained we cant even do simple tasks so my question is how to u pick urself up when u already have hot rock bottom ive been put on 4 different tablets and strengh and the first ones made me so bad i couldnt eat or drink for 2 weeks and had to go to hospital for bad dehydration i then took the second ones where i couldnt move and kept choaking at night cause my body felt paralysed the 3rd ones i got put on i broke out in rashes and sweats and even these agree with me they dont seem to show a change and i keep feeling i go back to square one have u guys got these problems and what did u do about it i just feel lost and im at the end of my wits with all this benefit and medication rubbish sorry this sounds so negative and moargy i just cant talk to any1 cause no one of my friends has been in this situation
PLEASE READ THE LAST PARAGRAPH IF YOU WANT A SUGGESTION.
NATUROPATH!
I'm only 12 turning 13 and I suffer this everyday.
It's recently gotten really bad after having the flu for 1 and a half months.
I have only 2 fears, rides and death.
And I'm always pressured or put down for being scared of these things because their minor to themm, (would this have to do with it?) and my dad doesn't believe me about being sick all the time unless I'm like on the floor crying (which is happening alot lately) I've had this since I was 9.
I've pieced all these comments together, I have the feeling we are going to suffer this our whole lives.
It's a condition no doctor is smart enough to solve, to stop, to help.
Unless anyone knows what we can do, theres no point in posting useless c**p up here, yes, I understand your in pain, I am too.
Headaches, Neausea, Cramps, Random feeling of feinting or blacking out.
It makes us want to die and get over our lives.
But we need to push through this and try give advice to what helps us.
I find if your feeling sh*t like this, DO NOT DRINK WATERRRRR! It makes you feel 4x the size you really are.
That's sometimes what causes this.
But don't worry, no matter how sick we get, I think alot of us really deep inside know, we will NOT I SAY NOT NOT NOT NOT die.
We will LIVE through this.
We are STRONG, as I post this, I feel all these, I can barely walk, don't lie down or slouch on a couch, sit on a hard chair at a table and if you really need to rest your head on it.
Or... lie on the floor, I know people will think your drunk or hung over but hey, it really helps, SOFT things make me feel like I'm sinking in.
But.I know how we can try to help,
Your seeing the wrong people.
DON'T SEE A DOCTOR,
SEE A NATUROPATH!
The blood test is a prick on the finger (as in with a needle that's all, no draining feeling)
and best of all I think it's only done like twice.
You do get medicine and stuff, but hopefully it'll help.
I'm going to see one soon, hopefully my pain will end.
Good luck![/b]
NATUROPATH!
I'm only 12 turning 13 and I suffer this everyday.
It's recently gotten really bad after having the flu for 1 and a half months.
I have only 2 fears, rides and death.
And I'm always pressured or put down for being scared of these things because their minor to themm, (would this have to do with it?) and my dad doesn't believe me about being sick all the time unless I'm like on the floor crying (which is happening alot lately) I've had this since I was 9.
I've pieced all these comments together, I have the feeling we are going to suffer this our whole lives.
It's a condition no doctor is smart enough to solve, to stop, to help.
Unless anyone knows what we can do, theres no point in posting useless c**p up here, yes, I understand your in pain, I am too.
Headaches, Neausea, Cramps, Random feeling of feinting or blacking out.
It makes us want to die and get over our lives.
But we need to push through this and try give advice to what helps us.
I find if your feeling sh*t like this, DO NOT DRINK WATERRRRR! It makes you feel 4x the size you really are.
That's sometimes what causes this.
But don't worry, no matter how sick we get, I think alot of us really deep inside know, we will NOT I SAY NOT NOT NOT NOT die.
We will LIVE through this.
We are STRONG, as I post this, I feel all these, I can barely walk, don't lie down or slouch on a couch, sit on a hard chair at a table and if you really need to rest your head on it.
Or... lie on the floor, I know people will think your drunk or hung over but hey, it really helps, SOFT things make me feel like I'm sinking in.
But.I know how we can try to help,
Your seeing the wrong people.
DON'T SEE A DOCTOR,
SEE A NATUROPATH!
The blood test is a prick on the finger (as in with a needle that's all, no draining feeling)
and best of all I think it's only done like twice.
You do get medicine and stuff, but hopefully it'll help.
I'm going to see one soon, hopefully my pain will end.
Good luck![/b]
To all yall that seem to be having Panic Attacks. There is a program you can order online called "Panic Away" which helps if you follow the program. I have suffered from panic attacks for years and ordered this program at the end of last year. It really does work, but you must follow the program. Hope this helps.
Hi guys,
Let me start by saying I have had 99% of the symptoms you all describe. I also spent a period of time going to the doctor a lot although my doctors never took me seriously enough to test me past iron, ECG and an echocardiogram. I first started having symptoms when I was 17 and still in highschool. I didn't know any of what was going on because my life turned to hell literally overnight. I had my first panic attack ever at work. Went home and thought I'd sleep whatever it was off. The crazy tingling feelings and brain fog and fear were all still there the next day though. I had all these crazy physical sensations going on and I had 3 panic attacks a day at least because of them. My doc tested me for iron (I'm veg) and gave me iron pills which didn't help. I fell into depression and worse somatic symptoms. 6 months in I went to a therapist and I have seen her the last 5 years for CBT. I never took meds, I have experienced all the crazy hypochondriasis you're all hinting at in your posts and all sorts of insane physical reactions from feeling like my head is on fire to tingled to fog to crazy migraines and stomach problems. I have been though it all.
Now that you know my credentials here's my advice as someone who had learned to get past most of this without meds or anything:
Relax. Try mindfulness mediation. Understand that statistically speaking the chances of you having serious issues are small especially if you're young, eat and sleep well and exercise. Understand that the body was not meant to undertake the lifestyle we now try to live with and that it will fight back when it can't cope. Don't put too much strain on yourself and do what you can. As long as you do your best to accept things as they really are and do your best to be kind to your body and at the same time fulfill your obligations as best as possible then you are doing well. It took me five years, with no help from my family (actually they didn't believe anything was wrong and they made my life even harder) I can say that keeping these things in mind have allowed me to finish with good graded at a great university and to live a normal life as much as possible. I got my digree in psychology so I can help people like us. You're not alone and I am living proof that with determination we can all overcome this. Am don't worry, the medical model of current medicine is on it's way out and is being replaced by the biopsychosocial model. Look it up because it will help you understand where the system failed you and why, and how to fix things for yourself.
Keep fighting with love cause we're all in this together. I promise it will be ok.
Let me start by saying I have had 99% of the symptoms you all describe. I also spent a period of time going to the doctor a lot although my doctors never took me seriously enough to test me past iron, ECG and an echocardiogram. I first started having symptoms when I was 17 and still in highschool. I didn't know any of what was going on because my life turned to hell literally overnight. I had my first panic attack ever at work. Went home and thought I'd sleep whatever it was off. The crazy tingling feelings and brain fog and fear were all still there the next day though. I had all these crazy physical sensations going on and I had 3 panic attacks a day at least because of them. My doc tested me for iron (I'm veg) and gave me iron pills which didn't help. I fell into depression and worse somatic symptoms. 6 months in I went to a therapist and I have seen her the last 5 years for CBT. I never took meds, I have experienced all the crazy hypochondriasis you're all hinting at in your posts and all sorts of insane physical reactions from feeling like my head is on fire to tingled to fog to crazy migraines and stomach problems. I have been though it all.
Now that you know my credentials here's my advice as someone who had learned to get past most of this without meds or anything:
Relax. Try mindfulness mediation. Understand that statistically speaking the chances of you having serious issues are small especially if you're young, eat and sleep well and exercise. Understand that the body was not meant to undertake the lifestyle we now try to live with and that it will fight back when it can't cope. Don't put too much strain on yourself and do what you can. As long as you do your best to accept things as they really are and do your best to be kind to your body and at the same time fulfill your obligations as best as possible then you are doing well. It took me five years, with no help from my family (actually they didn't believe anything was wrong and they made my life even harder) I can say that keeping these things in mind have allowed me to finish with good graded at a great university and to live a normal life as much as possible. I got my digree in psychology so I can help people like us. You're not alone and I am living proof that with determination we can all overcome this. Am don't worry, the medical model of current medicine is on it's way out and is being replaced by the biopsychosocial model. Look it up because it will help you understand where the system failed you and why, and how to fix things for yourself.
Keep fighting with love cause we're all in this together. I promise it will be ok.
Have you guys ever thought about Lyme & Tick - Co-infections? I got sick & found out I had lyme because a whole bunch of tick co-infection test came back positive. I almost forgot about the bite mark, as the tick was as small as a poppy seed & my knee was swollen huge - thought it was a wasp sting. It took several months to find out & I had all the symptoms you r describing. Good luck - by the way, several cities don't test for Lyme or co-infections unless you demand them! They don't believe the birds with ticks fly over state lines - how silly!! wish I had known to demand the tests- docs had me chasing everything from Fibro, myasthia gravis, MS, Parkinsons.
Hi everyone - this is long but hopefully - hopeful and helpful - dont like reading? better skip this post then. have some time? I hope I can help you.
I would like to add my thoughts to this discussion and yes I have had all these symptoms and thoughts! On and more importantly OFF for years. It comes and it GOES! HOORAY! Seriously. Believe me. I have been through this many times.
The cause I believe is your current or past circumstances and your current lifestyle and beliefs.
I have always been ok when I have been happy with life. Never felt ill for long periods of time when all has been fine and dandy. How about you?
Are you happy with your life now? Don't underestimate this question! If you are not happy - you will be carrying tension in your body; your body will be naturally reacting to things you do not like. Fear, tension, anger - all stress – even the tiny bits! If they are not dealt with somehow, they build, and they will come out in physical and mental outlets like thinking you are mad, depressed, the crappest person on earth, in panic attacks, feeling ill, hypochondria etc. And the list of physical symptoms is endless and just plain weird!
I think in some ways stress is beyond current scientific/medical understanding as was mentioned before. Old ways of looking at stress are on their way out because they don’t seem to be helping! But do the research yourself right here and conclude – the symptoms of stress are here right on these posts - we all get very similar symptoms and we are all still alive. This is how it (stress) comes out – in the body and mind. First I want to talk about the mind and what goes on in life…
In fact whenever my life has been through a stressful period and then I go into a period of good things... that's when the anxiety gets bad - actually when things start to go ok. Craaaazy as it sounds! And it's frustrating and I'm sitting there going - but it can't be stress I feel happy! But actually, in my thoughts there are fears about my health and for me things like the future or going out (I get agoraphobic). This time round I am getting over an abusive relationship (physical and mental), I’m hating being at my mum’s, I am skint and I’m trying to finish my uni work. I’ve met a new guy who is more than I ever could have hoped for, I am now happy, but things from the past p me off still. So I’m really good right now, getting back on top of things, great with my bf and work is getting done. Things have changed – like things do in life – recognise that, that whatever is happening now will change - The future is looking bright. But I’m still getting moments of feeling exceptionally and chronically ill.
All these frightening thoughts that seem to go through our heads seemingly without any control add up to a great deal of tension in the body..building up and up. Sometimes the thoughts go so far and become so frightening that we suddenly find ourselves feeling very ill. I would say that if I am completely honest with myself I can see a pattern in my thoughts that lead up to feeling ill, even a week leading up to it (I might have heard a conversation about heart attacks, brain tumours, cancer, sudden death, sad stories etc. even on tv,or newspaper, on a bus, Christ my bf works in a hospital I hear all sorts!). Most of these thoughts of mine are 'what if' thoughts. If I think, oh, there's that feeling in my head again... the feeling gets worse... and I think... it's getting worse….oh, there it is again… it hurt a bit more this time.. what if it hurts even more… what if it gets worse..arrghh it’s getting worse! if I'm ill no one can help me... shall I get to the ER? 999 on speed dial?... and I start to panic because before I know it I am thinking it's something serious and I am going to die and then I become tense and the fight or flight kicks in - heart rate up, adrenalin, feeling like I'm going to poo myself, dry mouth, can barely talk, breathing funny.... goodbye world! I love you mum/boyfriend/pet! hahahaha! been there? lol. All from a tiny bit of tension pain and a thought that snowballed.
Sometimes, I'm not even panicking, my heart rate is ok, but I feel very sick ‘(‘brain sick’ feelings – they are the strongest symptom I get and it’s the only way I can describe it! My head feels sick, just not right at all. It almost hums. I get, hot, dry mouth, need to poo, faint breathing etc. etc.. you know it…chest pains on the LEFT! Tingles in the left arm I can’t move my body or open my eyes – my brain just can’t take the visual information around me and what it all means - and it’s not funny..all those symptoms that mean you are going to die ! lol) anyway – I don’t always panic but sometimes I just feel really really ill - and importantly now, I realise there is nothing I can do even if I am about to die - let’s face it - there is nothing you can do really! If something was really wrong it will show in your vital signs and blood tests that your doc checks. Seriously.
At this point mind and body are going mental. It’s awful. I’m scared.
Most of the time recently I get it immediately on waking ( that’s my ‘thing’ – the ‘thing’ that gets to me – it might be going out for others, or going past a place where they had a panic attack or ill feeling last time they were there) . So I lie there, battling not to get scared, so this is what I think, I’m thinking... this WILL pass, it always does and if I die there's nothing I can do about my so called brain haemorrhage etc.. now..I'm in the hands of whoever finds me .... I can't operate on me.. I wouldn't be very good at that... and if it's the end for me... then ok... thanks for all the fish.... and I just have to accept that whatever is happening, no matter how horrible it feels all I can do is THINK RIGHT, which IS something I can do, I do it all the time and I'm doing it now, think think think… I can think this way I can think that way…la de da… in this case I need to THINK and I need to make the choice to think RIGHT, and if I get scared I DO feel worse because my panic I know makes me feel much more physically ill, which makes me more scared, so I must stay calm and not panic. But that’s so hard! I know it’s possible to think about ‘something’ – but I can’t I feel so ill, I’m scared! Well – I do manage it – read on.
This is where I believe meditation can work. In fact the following the type of thinking I am talking about will work if you do it enough. Training your brain to think differently. Mindfulness meditation disciplines you to focus on particular thoughts, helps you to cut brain chatter and all the flies buzzing round your brain and to think what is useful , whilst consciously accepting the horrible feelings but focusing on the thoughts that help you, not hinder you. With practice, this becomes easier to catch yourself out how you think, when your mind wonders, and you go - ah - I'm doing that type of thinking again - hey - that's not helpful - and you become much more friendly and loving towards yourself. Which I am sure you would appreciate. You deserve that right? Other people love themselves, why should they have all the benefits of that? Get yourself some too from yourself – the easiest and most reliable source you have – coz it’s not other people! Also because it will make you feel better. Useful that.
There are some fundamental things I believe that helps me when I’m feeling ill, maybe they will help you cope too. My beliefs are - kind of what are above.. if I'm ill I'm ill and there's nothing I can do and I'm in the hands of whatever so I may as well just lie here and wait to pass out or feel better. In the meantime I think - this has happened before and I was fine. IF it's not fine this time, there is still nothing I can do, but if I worry about that I will feel worse, yeah, I've been here before and it has passed, I just have to wait/get through it. But how can I? I’m scared? I feel ill? I say to myself... over and over and even in slow motion.... my body feels veeeeeerrrryyy rrrreeeeeeeeelaaxed, over and over and I try to relax all my body completely – this works for me – my body does start to relax because I am telling it that that is the case - (even though I can barely move, speak, open my eyes, breathe and have crampy feelings in my legs and have the desire too poo! - all fight or flight responses), I imagine what it would feel like … what would it feel like if my body relaxed right now… if my leg relaxed….my back – none of this tensing and relaxing business – I personally can’t do that in this state! But ALWAYS this horrible sick feeling passes and when I think about things not related to the physical feelings and fear I DO start to feel better. Don't you find that if something distracts you it can disappear? Even if only a little? Don't underestimate the power of your thoughts to help and hinder you. You have nothing to lose in thinking about distracting or positive things in order to feel better - it’s probably a better thing to think about (distracting things) as you are 'dying' rather than being S*** scared! IN fact it makes no difference what you're thinking if you are REALLY on your way out! lol. But of course, you won’t be. Do you u know what I think if I am having a moment of – right that’s it I am really dying – I think.. “thank you”. I feel grateful for all the love and kindness I have received, I think about the love I have for my family, if I had kids it would be for my kids, my boyfriend and all the things I have enjoyed… this feeling of love and gratitude distracts me… but not for long! I still have to keep going until I’m through the panic/ill feelings. So I keep going over these thoughts. Also I think really random practical real-life things – I may ask my bf if he is there what is he doing in work today? – I may think… if I could re-decorate this room how it would look?... ooo the trees look nice outside the window… I can’t wait for the summer … what would I like to do in the summer? What is my favourite summer smells? Or I will go over the words of a song really really concentrating on the words over and over… for some reason, if you know it, amazing horse seems to work very well for me! :-P !look at my horse, my horse is amazing, give it a lick… etc etc. Shame it’s too rude to be a real hit!
I just want to talk briefly about the physical side of this. I recognise the fight or flight feelings in me although I think we do all have our own little quirks with it because we all have different sensitivities to certain things or areas in our body – sometimes this depends on what we think is or may be going on or about to happen (heart attack, brain haemorrhage etc.)– normally whatever we focus on tends to feel worse (you see? Mind and body at work here – our thoughts making it happen). You may feel tense n a particular area because you’ve been sitting or lying funny, maybe that bit got cold, maybe the sex you had last night was too acrobatic (lol) Any who – in addition to that, something I have been thinking about recently is muscle tension. One particular thing that happens to me and others I can see on here – is the feeling of aching muscles which can go on for hours or days after a panic/ill attack. When muscles are under tension lactic acid builds up which hurts! It’s a bit like exercising for a long period of time – and then in a panic muscles go through so much they end up tired not just from the panic but also the tension they have been going under day after day. I believe this ill feeling is about the build-up of stress hormones, lactic acid and tension that get released in pang and pains, or when either we panic or the stress reaches a level of where the body has to shut itself down in order to recover. In this shut down it leads to things like feeling tired, for me if I wake up before I’m ready I basically have an ‘ill/panic’ attack. My body needs to rest, sleep and recover. I suppose an ultra-positive way of thinking about this is that the pains and panic are actually a sign from your body telling you – hey – you need to relax me and do whatever it takes to look after us (even if it’s dumping your crappy gf/bf quitting your job and getting less paying one that makes you more happy). If the panic and pains are telling you this, then when they tell you – in feelings of being ill – then they are releasing tension build up. In fact – now that it’s got that tension out – why don’t you see it as – right – that’s that bit of tension out from the past few weeks – let’s see if I can sort myself out a bit more so I am less stressed for the next section. At some point they will lessen…. Again, I believe depending upon your life style, circumstances and beliefs/thoughts. So change whatever you need to. Stress comes out in so many ways – I see the feelings in my head as tension from my jaw being clamped shut at night (!) I don’t do it deliberately, it also makes my neck ache and all over my skull. My shoulders and back are terrible, but I sometimes don’t lie down properly in bed and I have to consciously put my head relaxed on the pillow. Ahhhhhh. I get cold a lot too. More tension! Anyway – I think you get my point.
Anyway
I have had anxiety at several points in my life. Normally when things have gone wrong with jobs or boyfriends. I often think these problems are down to me. But really, there’s no point in thinking it’s all my own fault, I should have done this, I should try harder etc, it’s often just a clash of personalities, beliefs and desires. Everyone is different and there’s no law against that! And people – I wouldn’t say make mistakes – but may make choices that didn’t turn out how they hoped all the time. I mean thank God we are all different. What makes me happy is different to what makes my mum happy or my ex happy. And that is ok. Why shouldn’t it be? Like I said, people go round pleasing themselves all the time. Why make myself feel bad. It’s not useful. I want to feel ok. I am in control more than anyone of my life, and sometimes that can be frightening, esp. if it means saying goodbye to something or someone you love but them being in your life actually makes you feel unhappy to the extent you find yourself hating yourself because YOU don’t fit in with them and their beliefs. You have to make changes and move if you are not happy. Say goodbye to it, grieve it if you have to but moving on will be the best thing you can do for yourself. Big changes are scary but ultimately lead you to a better place - or a different place……. Conflict of beliefs and desires and needs are the nature of life. Show me where it isn’t! If you are aiming for perfection you will be very disappointed. But at the same time it is also possible to find great joy – and more likely if you don’t sabotage it by not loving yourself and getting what is good, useful and makes you happy for YOU!
And maybe now I have found a set of circumstances that means I will have less stress. But I have had to work for it and I’m prepared to. What got me to the point of depression was feeling bad about myself for years, thinking I wasn’t capable. But I am capable of some things, and some things better than others. But again, the point is – I want to feel happy – and to get it I have to do what is useful –coz doing nothing – or staying with the same old ways has got me nowhere for years – seriously – it’s growing up – even at my age of 33 – I have to take responsibility for myself – and if that means working for it and that is all I have to do to get it and I want it – I’ll do it!
I know I have talked about loads of areas of things. I am no expert, just sharing my thoughts and experiences. I fully expect my symptoms to go away. Seriously. I am just waiting and working on them one panic attack at a time – or one thought at a time, whether it’s my life circumstances that I am trying to improve or just changing my thinking when I’m feeling ill or when I feel bad about myself because someone doesn’t agree with me. The change is in your hands. Love yourself and part of that is taking responsibility for your life It’s no one else’s – you will also be much more open and available to others too like your friends, family, partner or kids, community etc…. be the best YOU can be – and don’t go looking at others to tell you how good you can be – Sending you all much love, warmth and support from my heart. … No seriously I am. The next time you are panicking, think of the girl who spent two hours writing this just to be at your side when you need someone there to tell you it’s alright and whatever you need to hear that is genuinely useful to you, even if I am holding your hand, stroking your back, helping you relax, talking about the weather… I’m there. It will be alright. You are ok. xxx
I would like to add my thoughts to this discussion and yes I have had all these symptoms and thoughts! On and more importantly OFF for years. It comes and it GOES! HOORAY! Seriously. Believe me. I have been through this many times.
The cause I believe is your current or past circumstances and your current lifestyle and beliefs.
I have always been ok when I have been happy with life. Never felt ill for long periods of time when all has been fine and dandy. How about you?
Are you happy with your life now? Don't underestimate this question! If you are not happy - you will be carrying tension in your body; your body will be naturally reacting to things you do not like. Fear, tension, anger - all stress – even the tiny bits! If they are not dealt with somehow, they build, and they will come out in physical and mental outlets like thinking you are mad, depressed, the crappest person on earth, in panic attacks, feeling ill, hypochondria etc. And the list of physical symptoms is endless and just plain weird!
I think in some ways stress is beyond current scientific/medical understanding as was mentioned before. Old ways of looking at stress are on their way out because they don’t seem to be helping! But do the research yourself right here and conclude – the symptoms of stress are here right on these posts - we all get very similar symptoms and we are all still alive. This is how it (stress) comes out – in the body and mind. First I want to talk about the mind and what goes on in life…
In fact whenever my life has been through a stressful period and then I go into a period of good things... that's when the anxiety gets bad - actually when things start to go ok. Craaaazy as it sounds! And it's frustrating and I'm sitting there going - but it can't be stress I feel happy! But actually, in my thoughts there are fears about my health and for me things like the future or going out (I get agoraphobic). This time round I am getting over an abusive relationship (physical and mental), I’m hating being at my mum’s, I am skint and I’m trying to finish my uni work. I’ve met a new guy who is more than I ever could have hoped for, I am now happy, but things from the past p me off still. So I’m really good right now, getting back on top of things, great with my bf and work is getting done. Things have changed – like things do in life – recognise that, that whatever is happening now will change - The future is looking bright. But I’m still getting moments of feeling exceptionally and chronically ill.
All these frightening thoughts that seem to go through our heads seemingly without any control add up to a great deal of tension in the body..building up and up. Sometimes the thoughts go so far and become so frightening that we suddenly find ourselves feeling very ill. I would say that if I am completely honest with myself I can see a pattern in my thoughts that lead up to feeling ill, even a week leading up to it (I might have heard a conversation about heart attacks, brain tumours, cancer, sudden death, sad stories etc. even on tv,or newspaper, on a bus, Christ my bf works in a hospital I hear all sorts!). Most of these thoughts of mine are 'what if' thoughts. If I think, oh, there's that feeling in my head again... the feeling gets worse... and I think... it's getting worse….oh, there it is again… it hurt a bit more this time.. what if it hurts even more… what if it gets worse..arrghh it’s getting worse! if I'm ill no one can help me... shall I get to the ER? 999 on speed dial?... and I start to panic because before I know it I am thinking it's something serious and I am going to die and then I become tense and the fight or flight kicks in - heart rate up, adrenalin, feeling like I'm going to poo myself, dry mouth, can barely talk, breathing funny.... goodbye world! I love you mum/boyfriend/pet! hahahaha! been there? lol. All from a tiny bit of tension pain and a thought that snowballed.
Sometimes, I'm not even panicking, my heart rate is ok, but I feel very sick ‘(‘brain sick’ feelings – they are the strongest symptom I get and it’s the only way I can describe it! My head feels sick, just not right at all. It almost hums. I get, hot, dry mouth, need to poo, faint breathing etc. etc.. you know it…chest pains on the LEFT! Tingles in the left arm I can’t move my body or open my eyes – my brain just can’t take the visual information around me and what it all means - and it’s not funny..all those symptoms that mean you are going to die ! lol) anyway – I don’t always panic but sometimes I just feel really really ill - and importantly now, I realise there is nothing I can do even if I am about to die - let’s face it - there is nothing you can do really! If something was really wrong it will show in your vital signs and blood tests that your doc checks. Seriously.
At this point mind and body are going mental. It’s awful. I’m scared.
Most of the time recently I get it immediately on waking ( that’s my ‘thing’ – the ‘thing’ that gets to me – it might be going out for others, or going past a place where they had a panic attack or ill feeling last time they were there) . So I lie there, battling not to get scared, so this is what I think, I’m thinking... this WILL pass, it always does and if I die there's nothing I can do about my so called brain haemorrhage etc.. now..I'm in the hands of whoever finds me .... I can't operate on me.. I wouldn't be very good at that... and if it's the end for me... then ok... thanks for all the fish.... and I just have to accept that whatever is happening, no matter how horrible it feels all I can do is THINK RIGHT, which IS something I can do, I do it all the time and I'm doing it now, think think think… I can think this way I can think that way…la de da… in this case I need to THINK and I need to make the choice to think RIGHT, and if I get scared I DO feel worse because my panic I know makes me feel much more physically ill, which makes me more scared, so I must stay calm and not panic. But that’s so hard! I know it’s possible to think about ‘something’ – but I can’t I feel so ill, I’m scared! Well – I do manage it – read on.
This is where I believe meditation can work. In fact the following the type of thinking I am talking about will work if you do it enough. Training your brain to think differently. Mindfulness meditation disciplines you to focus on particular thoughts, helps you to cut brain chatter and all the flies buzzing round your brain and to think what is useful , whilst consciously accepting the horrible feelings but focusing on the thoughts that help you, not hinder you. With practice, this becomes easier to catch yourself out how you think, when your mind wonders, and you go - ah - I'm doing that type of thinking again - hey - that's not helpful - and you become much more friendly and loving towards yourself. Which I am sure you would appreciate. You deserve that right? Other people love themselves, why should they have all the benefits of that? Get yourself some too from yourself – the easiest and most reliable source you have – coz it’s not other people! Also because it will make you feel better. Useful that.
There are some fundamental things I believe that helps me when I’m feeling ill, maybe they will help you cope too. My beliefs are - kind of what are above.. if I'm ill I'm ill and there's nothing I can do and I'm in the hands of whatever so I may as well just lie here and wait to pass out or feel better. In the meantime I think - this has happened before and I was fine. IF it's not fine this time, there is still nothing I can do, but if I worry about that I will feel worse, yeah, I've been here before and it has passed, I just have to wait/get through it. But how can I? I’m scared? I feel ill? I say to myself... over and over and even in slow motion.... my body feels veeeeeerrrryyy rrrreeeeeeeeelaaxed, over and over and I try to relax all my body completely – this works for me – my body does start to relax because I am telling it that that is the case - (even though I can barely move, speak, open my eyes, breathe and have crampy feelings in my legs and have the desire too poo! - all fight or flight responses), I imagine what it would feel like … what would it feel like if my body relaxed right now… if my leg relaxed….my back – none of this tensing and relaxing business – I personally can’t do that in this state! But ALWAYS this horrible sick feeling passes and when I think about things not related to the physical feelings and fear I DO start to feel better. Don't you find that if something distracts you it can disappear? Even if only a little? Don't underestimate the power of your thoughts to help and hinder you. You have nothing to lose in thinking about distracting or positive things in order to feel better - it’s probably a better thing to think about (distracting things) as you are 'dying' rather than being S*** scared! IN fact it makes no difference what you're thinking if you are REALLY on your way out! lol. But of course, you won’t be. Do you u know what I think if I am having a moment of – right that’s it I am really dying – I think.. “thank you”. I feel grateful for all the love and kindness I have received, I think about the love I have for my family, if I had kids it would be for my kids, my boyfriend and all the things I have enjoyed… this feeling of love and gratitude distracts me… but not for long! I still have to keep going until I’m through the panic/ill feelings. So I keep going over these thoughts. Also I think really random practical real-life things – I may ask my bf if he is there what is he doing in work today? – I may think… if I could re-decorate this room how it would look?... ooo the trees look nice outside the window… I can’t wait for the summer … what would I like to do in the summer? What is my favourite summer smells? Or I will go over the words of a song really really concentrating on the words over and over… for some reason, if you know it, amazing horse seems to work very well for me! :-P !look at my horse, my horse is amazing, give it a lick… etc etc. Shame it’s too rude to be a real hit!
I just want to talk briefly about the physical side of this. I recognise the fight or flight feelings in me although I think we do all have our own little quirks with it because we all have different sensitivities to certain things or areas in our body – sometimes this depends on what we think is or may be going on or about to happen (heart attack, brain haemorrhage etc.)– normally whatever we focus on tends to feel worse (you see? Mind and body at work here – our thoughts making it happen). You may feel tense n a particular area because you’ve been sitting or lying funny, maybe that bit got cold, maybe the sex you had last night was too acrobatic (lol) Any who – in addition to that, something I have been thinking about recently is muscle tension. One particular thing that happens to me and others I can see on here – is the feeling of aching muscles which can go on for hours or days after a panic/ill attack. When muscles are under tension lactic acid builds up which hurts! It’s a bit like exercising for a long period of time – and then in a panic muscles go through so much they end up tired not just from the panic but also the tension they have been going under day after day. I believe this ill feeling is about the build-up of stress hormones, lactic acid and tension that get released in pang and pains, or when either we panic or the stress reaches a level of where the body has to shut itself down in order to recover. In this shut down it leads to things like feeling tired, for me if I wake up before I’m ready I basically have an ‘ill/panic’ attack. My body needs to rest, sleep and recover. I suppose an ultra-positive way of thinking about this is that the pains and panic are actually a sign from your body telling you – hey – you need to relax me and do whatever it takes to look after us (even if it’s dumping your crappy gf/bf quitting your job and getting less paying one that makes you more happy). If the panic and pains are telling you this, then when they tell you – in feelings of being ill – then they are releasing tension build up. In fact – now that it’s got that tension out – why don’t you see it as – right – that’s that bit of tension out from the past few weeks – let’s see if I can sort myself out a bit more so I am less stressed for the next section. At some point they will lessen…. Again, I believe depending upon your life style, circumstances and beliefs/thoughts. So change whatever you need to. Stress comes out in so many ways – I see the feelings in my head as tension from my jaw being clamped shut at night (!) I don’t do it deliberately, it also makes my neck ache and all over my skull. My shoulders and back are terrible, but I sometimes don’t lie down properly in bed and I have to consciously put my head relaxed on the pillow. Ahhhhhh. I get cold a lot too. More tension! Anyway – I think you get my point.
Anyway
I have had anxiety at several points in my life. Normally when things have gone wrong with jobs or boyfriends. I often think these problems are down to me. But really, there’s no point in thinking it’s all my own fault, I should have done this, I should try harder etc, it’s often just a clash of personalities, beliefs and desires. Everyone is different and there’s no law against that! And people – I wouldn’t say make mistakes – but may make choices that didn’t turn out how they hoped all the time. I mean thank God we are all different. What makes me happy is different to what makes my mum happy or my ex happy. And that is ok. Why shouldn’t it be? Like I said, people go round pleasing themselves all the time. Why make myself feel bad. It’s not useful. I want to feel ok. I am in control more than anyone of my life, and sometimes that can be frightening, esp. if it means saying goodbye to something or someone you love but them being in your life actually makes you feel unhappy to the extent you find yourself hating yourself because YOU don’t fit in with them and their beliefs. You have to make changes and move if you are not happy. Say goodbye to it, grieve it if you have to but moving on will be the best thing you can do for yourself. Big changes are scary but ultimately lead you to a better place - or a different place……. Conflict of beliefs and desires and needs are the nature of life. Show me where it isn’t! If you are aiming for perfection you will be very disappointed. But at the same time it is also possible to find great joy – and more likely if you don’t sabotage it by not loving yourself and getting what is good, useful and makes you happy for YOU!
And maybe now I have found a set of circumstances that means I will have less stress. But I have had to work for it and I’m prepared to. What got me to the point of depression was feeling bad about myself for years, thinking I wasn’t capable. But I am capable of some things, and some things better than others. But again, the point is – I want to feel happy – and to get it I have to do what is useful –coz doing nothing – or staying with the same old ways has got me nowhere for years – seriously – it’s growing up – even at my age of 33 – I have to take responsibility for myself – and if that means working for it and that is all I have to do to get it and I want it – I’ll do it!
I know I have talked about loads of areas of things. I am no expert, just sharing my thoughts and experiences. I fully expect my symptoms to go away. Seriously. I am just waiting and working on them one panic attack at a time – or one thought at a time, whether it’s my life circumstances that I am trying to improve or just changing my thinking when I’m feeling ill or when I feel bad about myself because someone doesn’t agree with me. The change is in your hands. Love yourself and part of that is taking responsibility for your life It’s no one else’s – you will also be much more open and available to others too like your friends, family, partner or kids, community etc…. be the best YOU can be – and don’t go looking at others to tell you how good you can be – Sending you all much love, warmth and support from my heart. … No seriously I am. The next time you are panicking, think of the girl who spent two hours writing this just to be at your side when you need someone there to tell you it’s alright and whatever you need to hear that is genuinely useful to you, even if I am holding your hand, stroking your back, helping you relax, talking about the weather… I’m there. It will be alright. You are ok. xxx
Panicked Chick-- you should like a replica of me!!! omg..I can't believe it... I have the same exact symptoms as you. (32 years old) I can't even take a shower cuz I see a mark on my leg and think I have Lukemia :-( I feel everyday I have Lupus, Cancer, Going to die of Heart Attack, every mark on my body freaks me out. I bought a Blood Pressure Machine and heaven forbid it come up irregular heartbeat (maybe I moved or my dog jumped on the couch or something) I freak. It's a insane way to live. I lost my Mom 2 years ago, and had a miscarriage a year ago, so I guess I fear death (and I use it every half hour, becoming an obesession) . I know it's probably anxiety, but when you're feeling the pains and symptoms, it's hard to actually believe that and convince yourself ...
Ugggggg, vicious cycle. I really hope we all get better one day and just wake up and these symptoms are gone. Still think I have Muscle cancer, an Autoimmune disease, arthritis, etc etc.... but I am trying to function everyday. Lost my last job cuz of my brainfog, and am trying to get a bartending job since I love being around people and maybe that'll make me feel better. I definately need benefits to kick in so I get some serious psychotherapy (lifetime of heartache and stress, so no wonder I'm a hot mess!) but I have a great husband, so I stay strong for him xoxo
I will pray for all of you .. much love and hope
Ugggggg, vicious cycle. I really hope we all get better one day and just wake up and these symptoms are gone. Still think I have Muscle cancer, an Autoimmune disease, arthritis, etc etc.... but I am trying to function everyday. Lost my last job cuz of my brainfog, and am trying to get a bartending job since I love being around people and maybe that'll make me feel better. I definately need benefits to kick in so I get some serious psychotherapy (lifetime of heartache and stress, so no wonder I'm a hot mess!) but I have a great husband, so I stay strong for him xoxo
I will pray for all of you .. much love and hope
I have suffered for 25 years with this stuff. After all the tests....it is anxiety disorder. Panic attacks cause the fainting feelings, and lightheaded-ness. It's overactive brain thoughts, is hereditary sometimes, my sisters, and daughter have it. At times I have actually fainted, but most times,just lye down and if I do faint, it's horrible. So I could never get up in the morning either without getting sick. I am on generic versiosn of Xanax for 7 years now, and take 1mg, 3x a day. It's perfect...no more panic attacks, or anxiety. I feel bad in the morning, since it's been 9 or 10 hours since taking the lasat dose. As soon as I get up and take it, I feel normal. Sometimes I take double dose, if going to have dental work done....or tests. It has made me able to function normally. Sometimes if I'm bored, I'll feel sleepy...but usually not, it actually gives me energy with eating right and drinking lots of water. Don't be afraid of the medication. For us with this disorder, it's the only thing that works. Hope this helps.
I'm on this site because I had to find some answers. My head is heating up, well, it isn't but feels as though it is. I feel immensely sick. Fain, dizzy, what I tend to describe as fuzzy. Or weird. The rapid heart beat has slowed for me and I'm making a quick recovery. I'm still too scared to walk down the street by myself but tomorrow I have to. I've already screwed up my schooling, because of this sh*t and it's now making me and my fiancee fight like mothner f****r so I don't let it get to me. Ignore the symptons. Imagine them gone and they will go... at least after some practice. You need to look around you when you start freaking out, recognise where you are and concentrate on your breatyhiung. Do not hyperventilate. I've been watching my mum go through this, along with depression for years and she 'dealt' with it through perscription drugs and alcohol. It didn't work, not at all. She's off 'em now, though, which is good. So, what I find really helpful uis to first:
Recognise you have a problem.
Know that you're not alone, that you can get help for this.
Do certain breathing excercises. (Tensing and relaxing your muscles for half an hour every day for a month will teach your brain to relax your muscles automatically when they start to tense).
Distractions
Don't dwell.
Talk about your problems but not constantly unless you feel the need to.
No alcohol.
No drugs.
No caffeine.
Avoid triggers
Take, buy natural, non-addictive remedies over the counter, they're good.
Keep an eye on your diet, I know it's hard, but you've got to eat.
Plenty of water, food, iron, pottassium, salts, and, ofcourse, SUGAR!!
One of the reasons you may be feeling faint is because you forgot the sugar. Oops!!
Try to avoid stress. Don' bite off more then you can chew. One thing at a time.
REMEMBER: SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE!!!!
You can do this. You can beat it. It is this tiny little screwed up piece of sh*t in your mind that you will vanquish. Dwell too much and it will get stronger. Squish it. It will lessen considerably. Most of all, don't ever give up hope. I believe in you. All of you. As I do in myself. I'm only 17. I've had this for not yet 3 months but it's good to get rid of it quickly and while you're young. It's easier. Plus, if you don't have depression, well done. You are one of the rare cases and there is much more hope for you. This can be done. Just believe.
I figure, that if it's all in my mind, isn't it a battle against myself? Now, who do you thinks gonna win that one? The person typing, not the little annoying, worthless piece of sh*t that causing me stress over-excessively. It's easy, really, when you think about it.
Drink herbal tea, btw, it tastes disgusting but it really calms you down.
Look, I hope I've helped. I really do.
Steph Goble, Australia