What is an axiety?
Find a Conversation
What is an axiety?
| Tue, 07-19-2005 - 5:31pm |
I was wondering if someone could tell me a little bit about anxiety. Is it when you feel like something is always wrong with you? Do you pay attention to every little detail with your body? For the past few weeks I have been thinking that everything in the world is wrong with me because I have not felt right. I went to the doctor yesterday and he told me that I have hypoglycemia, which I can manage by changing my eating habits. But I still, all day long, dwell on how my body feels and panic at any little "different feeling" I have. Whether it be a pain in my chest or think my arms and legs feel tingly. If someone could help or give me some advice, I would really appreciate it and maybe it would calm me down a little.

It sounds like you're very conscious of your anxiety, which is a great step in the right direction. In fact, it sounds like you have pretty much convinced yourself there is nothing wrong with you physically, but rather that it's all in your head. being hyper aware of your physiological responses can be a part of anxiety, and is for many people. Many people in fact don't even recognize their anxiety, and keep going back to a medical doctor in search of medical answers.
I read your other post and it seems like you do have a slight medical issue going on, which may contribute to your not feeling right. blood sugar level flactuations can cause a person to feel shaky and tingly. At the same time, you are more aware of those changes in your body right now than is warranted.
here is a link with more information: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/anxietymenu.cfm
It might also be helpful to discuss what you're feeling with your medical doctor, who might refer you to a therapist for some sort of short term treatment if necessary.
I hope that helps a bit, im sure other people on the board will have some more valuable insight for you :)
Mia
Here is a list of common symptoms for anxiety/panic disorder...of course
there are a lot of other ones but these are the most common:
HEART sensations~
* racing or rapid heart beat (flight and flight response)
* heart palpitations (flight and flight response)
* 'missed' heart beats (flight and flight response)
* pounding heart (flight and flight response)
BREATHING sensations~
* breathing difficulties (can be a result of swallowing air, chest pain through tension or hyperventilation)
* choking sensation (tension)
* hyperventilation (flight and flight response)
* feel as if can't take another breath (can be a result of swallowing air, chest pain through tension or hyperventilation)
* tightening of the throat (tension)
PAIN sensations~
* chest pain (tension)
* headaches (tension)
* neck aches (tension)
* lower back pain (tension)
* sciatica (tension)
* muscle pain (tension)
* aching jaw (tension)
* clenching fists (tension)
* chronic temporary pain (tension)
STOMACH / ABDOMINAL sensations~
* nausea (flight and flight response or caused by not eating)
* loss of appetite (effects of anxiety disorder)
* churning stomach (flight and flight response)
* burning stomach (flight and flight response or caused by not eating)
* indigestion (flight and flight response)
* abdominal pain (tension or caused by not eating)
* digestive problems (flight and flight response or caused by not eating)
ASSOCIATED ANXIETY sensations~
* hot and cold flashes (flight and flight response)
* flushing face (flight and flight response)
* shaking/ trembling (flight and flight response)
* excessive perspiration (flight and flight response)
* sweating hands (flight and flight response)
* dizziness (either Fight and flight, hyperventilation or dissociation)
* giddiness (either Fight and flight, hyperventilation or dissociation)
* feeling lightheaded or faint (either Fight and flight, hyperventilation or dissociation or caused by not eating)
* pins and needles (flight and flight response)
* diarrhoea (flight and flight response)
* loss of bladder control (flight and flight response)
* grinding teeth (tension)
* sleeping difficulties (can be a result of overactive thinking, worry,
nocturnal panic attacks or taking sleeping medication (wake after a few hours and then can't get back to sleep)
* night sweats (flight and flight response)
* lack of concentration (effects of anxiety disorder)
* extreme exhaustion (effects of anxiety disorder)
* loss of feelings (effects of anxiety disorder)
* localised pressure (flight and flight response)
* loss of libido (effects of anxiety disorder)
* appetite swings (effects of anxiety disorder)
* numbness of hands or feet
* unexplainable rashes
DISSOCIATIVE sensations such as feeling~
* detached from the body (dissociative sensations)
* feeling as if you and/or surroundings are not real (dissociative sensations)
* as if looking through a white or grey mist (dissociative sensations)
* sensitivity to light and sound (dissociative sensations)
* tunnel vision (dissociative sensations)
* stationary objects appearing to move (dissociative sensations)
* sensations of falling into a void (dissociative sensations)
* temporary paralysis (dissociative sensations)
MAJOR FEARS~
* Having a heart attack and/or
* Going to die
* Brain tumour
* Going insane
* Lose control in some way
EMOTIONAL sensations~
* episodes of anger and "rage" and frustration (effects of anxiety disorder)
* deep sadness (effects of anxiety disorder)
* depression and major depression (effects of anxiety disorder)
* increased feelings of worry (effects of anxiety disorder)
* increased feelings of guilt (effects of anxiety disorder)
* feelings of emptiness (effects of anxiety disorder)
* feelings of loneliness (effects of anxiety disorder)
* feeling detached from "normal" emotional state
(healthboards.com)
Lauren
anxiety can certainly be enduring, please read this link:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/anxietymenu.cfm
it discusses all the different diagonosis of anxiety disorders (there's more than one!) keep in mind that some people experience anxiety related symptoms every waking moment of their lives, and that you are not alone in this.
Mia
Hi!
I just found this board and your post was the first one I read. I just want you to know that I've been feeling exactly the same for the past few weeks. Reading your post was as if I had written it myself. I've been worrying about every little thing I feel and over thinking everything. If my neck hurts I'm convinved I have a brain tumor, then that goes away and the next thing I feel turns into the next major illness. I went to see a counsellor and she was great. I really recommend it!! She told me I need to make sure I have a healthy lifestyle (ie. exercise, eat healthy and drink lots of water). She said the best thing would be to do yoga in order to get intouch with my body in a positive way. I just want you to know that you're not alone!!
Lauren