[Idiot17]

Do any of you ever experience such emotional agony that it becomes physical, where you can't stand/lay still or breathe since it hurts too much?

Is it actual physical pain or does it just feel like it converted to physical?

It's exerting and exhausting.

[sideblinded]

Idiot17

Yes, I understand this kind of physical pain. For me it is called GERD. I seem to get stomach issues when I am in emotional pain.

I hope you feel better emotionally and physically.

[Anxious Minds]

Yeah, our emotions change our whole physiology. It's kind of fascinating. You can actually experiment with this a little.

First, you can think of the happiest moment in your life. Go back to a time when you felt really good. Don't just think about the moment...remember it. Put yourself as deeply into that memory as you can. When you've spent several minutes putting yourself into that memory, open your eyes and take immediate notice of your posture and how your body is positioned. You'll most likely find your face is relaxed (possibly even smiling). You'll notice that your shoulders are pulled back and relaxed. Your heart is beating slower. Etc.

You can do the same thing with a bad memory. Think of a time that made you sad, and put yourself in that moment in the same way you did with the happy moment. Spend several minutes really remembering the situation. When you take notice of your physical presence, you'll find things like your facial muscles are tense. Your shoulders are slumped. Your body is tense. Etc.

It's an involuntary reaction to our emotions that create real, physical movements and gestures.

The interesting thing about this is that you can work it in reverse. You can create the emotion by positioning your body in the way your body is when you experience that emotion. For example, if you put your shoulders back, put a huge smile on your face, and breathe deep, and you do this for long enough, you will actually start to feel happy or confident or both.

[Clara22]

Yes, but also it could be that you are just sick. It happened to me, I was severely depressed and then I got anemia and by mistake I thought the symptoms of anemia were part of the depression and did not give it the proper attention

[Little Jay]

Originally Posted by Clara22

Yes, but also it could be that you are just sick. It happened to me, I was severely depressed and then I got anemia and by mistake I thought the symptoms of anemia were part of the depression and did not give it the proper attention

This exact same thing happened to me! But also sometimes when I am in so much pain emotionally I can feel it as a tight pain inside my chest, which always makes me think it's my heart breaking from the sadness. Sounds silly, I know.

[Idiot17]

Originally Posted by Little Jay

which always makes me think it's my heart breaking from the sadness. Sounds silly, I know.

That's not silly, I feel the same though it's not my heart I feel that's breaking. I don't have a heart.

[Zippo]

I imagine that I'm pushing a knife slowly into my heart and the pain in my chest is intense. I can't stop the intrusive thoughts, don't even want to, and the pain feels like it belongs there. At least it seems physical and that's easier to understand, almost comforting, but it isn't physical, I make it happen, but it feels real.

[Fuzzybear]

((((((((( Idiot17 )))))))))

[ajohnson45]

Originally Posted by Idiot17

Do any of you ever experience such emotional agony that it becomes physical, where you can't stand/lay still or breathe since it hurts too much?

Is it actual physical pain or does it just feel like it converted to physical?

It's exerting and exhausting.

When I am really depressed I get a sort of stressing headache that is near the front of my head by my forehead.

[ajohnson45]

Originally Posted by Anxious Minds

Yeah, our emotions change our whole physiology. It's kind of fascinating. You can actually experiment with this a little.

First, you can think of the happiest moment in your life. Go back to a time when you felt really good. Don't just think about the moment...remember it. Put yourself as deeply into that memory as you can. When you've spent several minutes putting yourself into that memory, open your eyes and take immediate notice of your posture and how your body is positioned. You'll most likely find your face is relaxed (possibly even smiling). You'll notice that your shoulders are pulled back and relaxed. Your heart is beating slower. Etc.

You can do the same thing with a bad memory. Think of a time that made you sad, and put yourself in that moment in the same way you did with the happy moment. Spend several minutes really remembering the situation. When you take notice of your physical presence, you'll find things like your facial muscles are tense. Your shoulders are slumped. Your body is tense. Etc.

It's an involuntary reaction to our emotions that create real, physical movements and gestures.

The interesting thing about this is that you can work it in reverse. You can create the emotion by positioning your body in the way your body is when you experience that emotion. For example, if you put your shoulders back, put a huge smile on your face, and breathe deep, and you do this for long enough, you will actually start to feel happy or confident or both.

I doubt it will make me happy.

[waterknob1234]

Yes I have had this recently. I get bad arthritis pain when depressed. Lately I have had lots of shortness of breath and chest pain. Yeah, I should go to a doctor but I know it is pure stress and depression. I went to the doctor a couple of times with this, had a stress test and everything was negative. I think it goes along with the depression and stress.

[waterknob1234]

My heart goes out to you. I know you have been struggling. I wish I had good answers but for now I will send hugs your way.

[Anxious Minds]

Originally Posted by ajohnson45

I doubt it will make me happy.

Maybe not. I figure you will notice some difference in the way you feel, though.

[Jolisse]

My depression and anxiety always comes out physically. Most of the the it's either a migraine or a back issue. Right now I'm suffering from knee pain, hopefully it will go away soon.