Question:
At this moment I am having a bad period for some month now.
Trying to get myself through it, in the hope my situtation will
improve, hopefully.
The symptoms you describe are very well known to me, maybe not all of
them.
I have looked for some solutions :
- I have followed breathing courses and relaxation (sometimes not good
enough)
- I am trying to change my lifestyle slightly (less stress / don't
worry)
- Am seeing an doctor who does homeopathie
- and if everyting else doesn't work maybe I will take a Xanax or a
half.
What did you do to get you through this period ? Or do you prefer to
keep this personal ?
Answer:
Many people - including myself - have been in situations where panic
and anxiety symptoms take on a life of their own and make us think we
have another more life-threatening condition. Somehow I wonder if,
almost by definition, anxiety and panic disorders direct our minds
away from accepting anxiety and panic as likely culprits when the
symptoms become physical. And when panic/anxiety symptoms also occur
against a background of hypochondriasis, a self-reinforcing cycle of
symptoms and illness obsession can be produced.
It is true that people with anxiety and panic disorders contract more
serious illnesses and that their symptoms mimic their prior anxiety
and panic disorders. But surely anyone with a history of anxiety and
panic related problems should first of all start by acknowledging the
possibly chronic and wide-ranging physical manifestations of anxiety
and panic.
Internet resources are generally brief and vague when it comes to
spelling out the kind of symptoms panic and anxiety produce (with a
few good exceptions). I think this is a serious problem, which will
sooner or later catch up with public health authorities around the
world.
I would like to give some indication of the symptoms I experienced
during a series of panic attacks, which produced a near continuous
state of panic and anxiety between August and November this year. I
might also add that this is the first time my anxiety problems
spiralled into a more serious anxiety and panic disorder.
Symptoms (varying from short-lived to persistent)
blurred vision
numbness and tingling (pins and needles)
hot sensations through my legs in hot weather
muscle tension (which were worst where physical stress had accumulated
- shins splints - I run alot and like the gym, so it really wasn't
good)
muscle pain
tense muscles in the hand which limited movement at some points
headaches
racing heart
nervousness
dizziness (very frustrating and self-reinforcing!)
light-headedness
atypical vertigo
inability to concentrate
sore muscles in the forearms
sore muscles at the back of the head
sore eyes
tingling sensations in the lips and face
rashes on my forearms
poor, unrefreshing sleep
weakness in the body
weakness in the legs (this is a big one .... very annoying)
daytime fatigue
irritability
I am sure there were more. Fortunately, I am much better. I am a fit
and healthy 31 year old male who is physically strong. But when a
major panic/anxiety episode unfolds, the last thing the individual
experiencing it thinks is that the vast array of symptoms connected
with it could be singularly explained by anxiety or panic.
Many people who visit this group enquire about symptoms. The lists of
panic/anxiety symptoms published on websites are rarely exhaustive.
Also in some cases, symptoms related to panic attacks can and do last
MUCH LONGER than the period of the attack (and immediately after).
This is sometimes referred to "status panicus" (state of panic) and
may be co-morbid with a generalised anxiety state.
It is not surprising that many people who have persistent panic and
anxiety symptoms assume they have some kind of neurological condition
with a different genesis. I am not a medical doctor but I think that
degenerative neurological conditions, and heart conditions, and so on
tend to make themselves obvious to medical practitioners. Sure, people
with anxiety, depression and panic disorders get other illnesses. But
be careful before jumping to extreme or exotic conclusions in the
absence of clear medical opinion.
As I said, I am not a medical doctor (I am an academic sociologist),
so none of this is meant other than the communication of my experience
- with some generalisations!
It is my feeling that there is still a long way to go in understanding
panic and anxiety disorders, what causes them, their symptoms, and how
to treat them. Be careful using the internet to rule out panic/anxiety
symptoms just because a website gives vague and general information.
My aim is to reassure people who find themselves fearful of major
illness like I do. (If you do have a major illness and are reading
this message, please understand my point)
When my condition was at its worst a year ago i found these not to help much
in extreme anxiety. For me it does help if i'm feeling a bit anxious as in
anticipating a situation i fear. If anxiety is not too high medidation does
help me relax. Deep breathing can also help, but if i'm in too anxious a
state i tend to hyperventilate.
Very good idea. Stress in itself doesn't bother me. It is how i learn to
deal with it, ie to not let it take over and take you to that anxious state.
The hardest thing i learnt to do is change my "what if's".... to "so what".
I know you were asking Shaun this question, but like Vashti I'm a strong
advocate for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for long term benefits. It is
what gave me back my life. A year ago i was paralyzed with fear, having PA
after PA, then worrying about having further panic attacks. My psychiatrist
and I worked together to develop strategies to change my thinking and
behaviour in order to not catastrophise my fears. I havn't had a panic
attack for months and relatively no anxiety symptoms either.
The doctor specilaized in Homeopathie has spoken with me for some
time.
The first aid he subcribed is Arsenicum Album, this seems to be
helpful for a zillion problems, one of them panic in every sort.
These are 5 capsules/ one every other day. Then it should start being
effective.
Haven't started yet...so can't tell if it works.
