My therapist tells me that these symptoms are those of having very high anxiety, and the body being in 'fight or flight' mode. This can happen at any time -- like now, just lying in bed listening to music, been on the laptop for a couple hours and had the TV on. I have no reason to be 'anxious' right now, and in my mind I feel calm, but my body? My hands are shaking as I type, I can feel my pulse in several areas of my body, I can feel energy/electricity coursing through my veins and my arms, my stomach feels full of butterflies. I feel like I'm way over-caffeinated (but have had none.)

This happens to me quite a lot, and I've come to refer to it as 'overdrive'...

I think this is something that has gone worse since starting to take Amitriptyline, and have experienced high anxiety, panic attacks, to the point of nausea. I've been put on beta blockers, and they seemed to calm it all down for a while. Still, though, I sometimes get this 'overdrive' feeling.

Has anyone else experienced anxiety like this? Is 'anxiety' even really what this is? Like I say, it confuses me because it happens even if I have no reason to be nervous or worried -- and strangely, when I do have cause to be, I'm often unflappable!

Anyone shed any light? How do I deal with this? I usually try to meditate or listen to some relaxation tracks my T recorded -- but it doesn't always work because my mind usually seems calm already?! Could this be a problem on a subconscious level, or a sign my meds really aren't suitable? Going to talk with my T about this again, but in the meantime also really interested to hear others' thoughts on it

[flight4mars]

IDK but I feel what your going threw.. I can hardly watch tv any mire cause of being irritated which then causes me panic attacks... I just take my meds as needed an make myself fall asleep, which then I feel refreshed and can start I over

[Rohag]

Hello, Just_some_girl!

Originally Posted by just_some_girl

My hands are shaking as I type, I can feel my pulse in several areas of my body, I can feel energy/electricity coursing through my veins and my arms, my stomach feels full of butterflies. I feel like I'm way over-caffeinated (but have had none.)

To be on the safe side, I would recommend calling your prescribing doctor and informing them of these symptoms.

Here's one reference: US National Library of Medicine - Amitriptyline

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• slow or difficult speech
• dizziness or faintness
• weakness or numbness of an arm or a leg
• crushing chest pain
• rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• severe skin rash or hives
• swelling of the face and tongue
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms
• uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
• fainting
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• seizures
• hallucinating (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)

Please take care of yourself.

Thanks, Rohag

My doctors are aware of this, it was the reason they put me on the beta blockers. I have been on Amitriptyline before and come off it because I thought it was causing/worsening the symptoms of anxiety, but the anxiety continued (and went much worse at times) whilst I tried various other antidepressants - none of which worked like the Amitriptyline did. It's the only med that has ever lifted my mood AT ALL and so in desperation I asked to be put back on it. The beta blockers definitely help with the anxiety, but I'm not sure if they are really a good thing to be taking all the time. I'm concerned that taking all these meds isn't good for my body - but am scared to come off them and end up in a real mess like before -- I feel like they help me 'cope' better than I have in a while.

I think I will need to make another appointment with my doctor and get them to check things like my blood pressure/pulse -- make sure things are okay, because I am concerned (was on my exercise bike the other day and my pulse was at just 60!) Maybe they need to try prescribing me something else.

I don't know... not sure if I can even blame my AD for causing anxiety - maybe I would have had the anxiety anyway. I just feel like there should be a reason? Like, surely there is a reason why!

I think perhaps I could deal with knowing that certain situations might make me anxious, because perhaps I could understand that -- but what is happening to me makes me feel like I'm disconnected from my own body and mind, and I just don't know what to do about it.

[ECHOES]

I was helped by regular use of relaxation CD's. If I used them every day, it began helping to keep the anxiety level lowered so that if something came along to nudge the anxiety up, it began from a lowered point; when it spiked, it didn't spike so high.

The CD most helpful to me comes from www.wholeperson.com and is called "Warm and Heavy" which are 2 separate exercises. I like "Heavy" a bit more than "Warm", although I like them both. I found it most helpful to lie on my bed after work and listen to them. 4+ years of therapy has helped me a lot and I still listen to the CD just because it feels so good.

[Chatnoir]

I have the same things going on right now, feels like I took a handful of pep pills. Other than that I don't see anything else we have in common that could be causing it other than we both take an antidepressant (I'm on Wellbutrin, dose doubled a month ago) If you learn of ways to combat it or exactly what's going on I would appreciate letting me know. I think there enough similarities that it would help me out as well.

[Sabrina]

I experience physical anxiety like this. And it happens for no reason.

[missbelle]

I also experience that high anxiety especially if I go out at nite with friends. It always seems like I am overstimulated. I take a beta blocker as well. Mine is for high blood pressure and the anxiety. I was told people that are performers etc will take a beta blocker before a performance because it stops some of that adrenalin from running thru the body.I do know you should not abruptly stop a beta blocker

Yes I do know what you mean..its sometimes seems like the adrenalin is just pouring thru my body. Thats when I need to calm myself, be alone...!

Its a good idea also to lay off the coffee, soda etc..even chocolate...anything that has caffeine. I'm bad with this as I love my coffee in the morning and it does wake me up. However I really don't drink it much during the day

Interesting, ChatNoir, thanks. That 'pep-pill' feeling is right -- I once took some diet pills (ECA stacks, bad idea, I don't recommend!) and this is sort of how they made me feel, like everything is 'revved up' -- interesting that you too are on an antidepressant, maybe this is the cause. I will definitely let you know if I figure this thing out, or how to deal with it effectively.

Sabrina: did this start happening coinciding with the use of antidepressants in your case? It happens for 'no reason' in my case too, or, no reason I can figure beyond it maybe being caused by my AD. It isn't constant, and strikes out of nowhere -- sometimes I just wake up that way.

MissBelle, yes, overstimulated! I don't drink coffee, but sometimes indulge in a good old diet coke -- particularly if I go to the cinema -- but I haven't actually found caffeine to make it worse (although I now avoid things like Redbull, just in case) Interesting that you too still get this feeling even with a beta blocker? I have found I get it much less often and much less severe, but taking a beta blocker hasn't stopped it altogether. I forgot to take my beta blocker the other day though and boy did I know about it!!

Thank you all for your responses, a great help! Sorry you're all suffering with it too, but at least I know that this thing could be what they say it is -- I wasn't sure! It still seems so bizarre to me that such physical symptoms could be down to what I'm told is 'anxiety'... Before this started happening to me I don't think I would have thought it possible. I'm hoping that the more I understand it, the better I'll get at dealing with it.