[AnxiousGirl]

I'm losing my MIND.

Firstly, I'm 20, female, 100% healthy (had a full blood test done 3 years ago and was told that because im still young/healthy I would not need to go get another one for 5 years).

I suffer from GAD and the biggest part of my anxiety revolves around my health. 2 years ago, I noticed a rash on my leg, googled it, and came to the conclusion I had cancer (not enjoying typing the word so im going to just use the letter C). SO, I read symptoms and one of them said dizziness (I only found this symptom in one of the websites out of the 2049924 I searched up). Ever since then, I've been feeling "dizzy". The rash itself went away in like 5 days and I had no other symptoms, even until now. No fever, no feeling tired, no lack of appetite ...

Anyways, the dizziness actually died down last summer and even over this past Christmas break. Then, in early January, I thought I felt a lump so I figured it's C again. Then ever since then I've been feeling dizzy. I have NEVER in my 20 years of life felt this afraid about anything. I keep missing school (still getting good grades though), I'm staying home 24/7 (besides therapy and school), I always wait until it's time to sleep and thats when my anxiety goes down.

Over the past 3 weeks I've had maybe 6 panic attacks and had to take ativan or else I thought I was going to die on the spot. I've also noticed that when im really nervous/anxious then I literally STOP breathing. My therapist even noticed this and said that some people actually stop breathing when they're nervous. Not sure if this is normal or whatever... I literally have to lie down and take in deep breathes and I even have a paper posted on my wall saying remember to breathe but the more I feel anxious the less breathing I do.

My question though: Can GAD cause physical symptoms that get worse/better depending on the situation?

With all this stress/anxiety I've felt:
- Muscle aches
- Dizziness
- Lack of appetite/more eating
- Crying easily
- Headaches
- Heart beat too fast/shortness of breath/not breathing when im nervous

Thanks everyone. Sorry for the recent threads though but I need some help. My next therapy session is next week so I guess until then I just need reassurance.

[Ellahmae]

Yes. Yes. Yes.

- Muscle aches
- Dizziness
- Lack of appetite/more eating
- Crying easily
- Headaches
- Heart beat too fast/shortness of breath/not breathing when im nervous

[*Laurie*]

Absolutely, YES! In fact, GAD often causes physical symptoms. By the way, DO NOT GOOGLE SYMPTOMS. I know how hard it is to refrain, but you will only worsen your anxiety by reading about a bunch of symptoms and illnesses. I strongly suggest that you find some way to stop yourself from googling symptoms.

[AnxiousGirl]

Originally Posted by LauraBeth

Absolutely, YES! In fact, GAD often causes physical symptoms. By the way, DO NOT GOOGLE SYMPTOMS. I know how hard it is to refrain, but you will only worsen your anxiety by reading about a bunch of symptoms and illnesses. I strongly suggest that you find some way to stop yourself from googling symptoms.

Yeah I made a promise to myself to stop googling the symptoms because it just makes me feel like I have all of them even when I dont ! Anxiety sucks

Do you know if anxiety meds take the symptoms away? I am leaning towards finally getting meds after being in therapy for almost 2 years.

Yes, all of those symptoms line up completely with GAD. Stop googling. You are physically fine. Your physical symptoms are basically side effects of your severe anxiety. The one symptom you really need to work on then is the anxiety. Does your therapist work with you on mindfulness, relaxation, stable breathing, etc.?

[AnxiousGirl]

Originally Posted by lolagrace

Yes, all of those symptoms line up completely with GAD. Stop googling. You are physically fine. Your physical symptoms are basically side effects of your severe anxiety. The one symptom you really need to work on then is the anxiety. Does your therapist work with you on mindfulness, relaxation, stable breathing, etc.?

My therapist has taught me some breathing techniques and also muscle relaxation techniques. I do the breathing and it works but only for a bit then my mind starts wandering off again.

Also, is it normal for some people with anxiety to stop breathing when anxious? I've noticed this a lot.

Originally Posted by AnxiousGirl

My therapist has taught me some breathing techniques and also muscle relaxation techniques. I do the breathing and it works but only for a bit then my mind starts wandering off again.

Also, is it normal for some people with anxiety to stop breathing when anxious? I've noticed this a lot.

Yes, I did that frequently and it was brought to my attention by my therapist many times.

[AnxiousGirl]

Originally Posted by lolagrace

Yes, I did that frequently and it was brought to my attention by my therapist many times.

Thanks! Makes me feel good that im not alone. Anxiety sucks

[LonesomeTonight]

Yes to all of those! Also, I find if I'm having a panic attack or just really anxious, I breathe more shallowly, which in turn makes me lightheaded/dizzy because I'm not getting enough oxygen. One of my symptoms if I'm having really bad panic is that my hands and feet start tingling--I'm guessing something about blood flow or oxygen? The muscle aches could be from tensing them all the time from being anxious. As my T has said, anxiety can be exhausting! And yeah, it sucks...

[The_little_didgee]

Originally Posted by AnxiousGirl

Also, is it normal for some people with anxiety to stop breathing when anxious? I've noticed this a lot.

When I'm very anxious I tend to hold my breath. It sometimes causes dizziness and palpitations.

I can relate to the physical symptoms of GAD. The disorder has made me suffer since childhood. I have a habit of tensing my abdominal muscles which puts pressure on my stomach. After years of doing this I now have GERD. I've convinced myself that I am going to die of esophageal cancer at the age of 42.

[AnxiousGirl]

It just feels so real. Like my dizziness and stuff. It would happen then I would freak out more then it'll get worse. It's like a cycle.

[velcro003]

i think meds would probably help you greatly.

[*Laurie*]

I also believe that meds will help you.

[BudFox]

What did the rash look like? Was it a bullseye shape -- large outer ring with a smaller one in the center?

I would urge you to think of your anxiety not as a disorder or disease, but as a symptom of some deeper underlying condition, perhaps emotional perhaps purely physiological. Severe nutrient deficiencies can cause anxiety and all sorts of havoc. Calling it GAD cuts you off from investigating further what is going on.

I have always had anxiety, but several years ago it escalated into panic attacks briefly. I used mindfulness practices to kill the panic attacks, realizing that my mind and body were spiraling into a negative feedback loop. The attacks appear to have been part of an escalating physiological condition. But still it was partly my mind becoming hyper vigilant and overreacting.

Seems anxiety meds (benzos) should be last resort on as needed basis, as I have read that long term they can do real damage and withdrawal is vicious.

[BudFox]

Originally Posted by The_little_didgee

When I'm very anxious I tend to hold my breath. It sometimes causes dizziness and palpitations.

I can relate to the physical symptoms of GAD. The disorder has made me suffer since childhood. I have a habit of tensing my abdominal muscles which puts pressure on my stomach. After years of doing this I now have GERD. I've convinced myself that I am going to die of esophageal cancer at the age of 42.

A simple 30 second exercise that you could try for the GERD:

I think it has helped me. The stomach can get lodged up into the esophagus, and the exercise can help get it back in place.

[Cinnamon_Stick]

Yes, anxiety can most certainly cause physical symptoms. I have severe anxiety and I used to get so lightheaded all the time. Now I get severe stomach aches. I have also googled symptoms before and its not a good idea. I used to avoid going to the doctor but now I have found that if I don't go it increases my health anxiety. My T has helped me with ways to cope with anxiety. It is a ****** thing to deal with and people who don't have it don't get it and think you are "faking" being sick. I am sorry you struggle with it.

[NowhereUSA]

Yes, I get all of these. I'll even stop breathing and have to do breathing exercises. I tend to get muscle aches in my arms and I get full on dizziness. When I first started having these symptoms, I thought I was dying too. It wasn't until I received medication that I realized it was anxiety.

I found DBT mindfulness really helped me manage my symptoms if I catch it early, if it gets too high then I take a low dose of Xanax (I used to take Ativan but then I learned to manage it in other ways and I take a low dose of Klonopin at night to help with Restless Leg and my anxiety since that's when it's highest).

Find some ways to help self-soothe. Learn facts to help remind yourself - like with breathing, just like hyperventilating is psychological, so is when you stop breathing. I will usually deep breathe and either do a breath count like "In one, out one. In two, out two" and if my mind wanders off down Anxiety Lane again, I start over, "In one, out one." Otherwise, I'll distract and my breathing will regulate itself, like if I color an intricate design or do something that requires my full attention.

[AnxiousGirl]

Originally Posted by NowhereUSA

Yes, I get all of these. I'll even stop breathing and have to do breathing exercises. I tend to get muscle aches in my arms and I get full on dizziness. When I first started having these symptoms, I thought I was dying too. It wasn't until I received medication that I realized it was anxiety.

I found DBT mindfulness really helped me manage my symptoms if I catch it early, if it gets too high then I take a low dose of Xanax (I used to take Ativan but then I learned to manage it in other ways and I take a low dose of Klonopin at night to help with Restless Leg and my anxiety since that's when it's highest).

Find some ways to help self-soothe. Learn facts to help remind yourself - like with breathing, just like hyperventilating is psychological, so is when you stop breathing. I will usually deep breathe and either do a breath count like "In one, out one. In two, out two" and if my mind wanders off down Anxiety Lane again, I start over, "In one, out one." Otherwise, I'll distract and my breathing will regulate itself, like if I color an intricate design or do something that requires my full attention.

I was having a bad attack today and I literally had to self talk. Out loud, talk to myself for at least an hour until I was able to calm down. Then I decided to leave the house for 2 hours and it changed my mood a lot. The dizziness even went away. I guess all of this is anxiety related

*hugs to all who want them* I've GAD too and it sucks.

[divine1966]

It might be Health OCD. Well OCD is anxiety just specific kind. It sounds like you might have that? Are you on any medication?maybe I missed it. It sounds like proper Meds might be a good idea

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[AnxiousGirl]

Originally Posted by divine1966

It might be Health OCD. Well OCD is anxiety just specific kind. It sounds like you might have that? Are you on any medication?maybe I missed it. It sounds like proper Meds might be a good idea

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I have severe health anxiety. Even the slightest cough/cold can trigger my anxiety to go up to its peak. I'm not on meds and haven't been ever, but I think in the next week or so I'm going to get some.

[divine1966]

Originally Posted by AnxiousGirl

I have severe health anxiety. Even the slightest cough/cold can trigger my anxiety to go up to its peak. I'm not on meds and haven't been ever, but I think in the next week or so I'm going to get some.

I'd at least talk to a doctor about it. My fiancée has severe OCD. He had years of CBT and it was very successful, he still relies on strategies he learned, yet it wasn't enough as symptoms hit worse with age so in order to be successful he is on Meds, rather low dose. But very helpful. I know how he is when he forgets his Meds ( very once in awhile), he is struggling without them. Good luck

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[AnxiousGirl]

Update. Had another bad anxiety attack over the weekend and decided to go to the doctor as much as it scared me. Just got back actually. Asked my doctor if anxiety can cause dizziness he said 100%. Then I also felt like I needed reassurance so I asked if anything major can happen to health within a 3 year span of my getting my blood work until now he said a solid no. I got prescribed meds and my doctor wasn't going to give me a requisition for another blood test but told me to just keep it around and if I want I could get it and if not I don't need it anytime soon. So I decided to try out the meds for a while see if it works then take it from there. Also was advised to take a 2 week leave from school to calm my nerves and see my therapist more often. Thanks everyone for your support. Means the world to me.

[BudFox]

Originally Posted by AnxiousGirl

Update. Had another bad anxiety attack over the weekend and decided to go to the doctor as much as it scared me. Just got back actually. Asked my doctor if anxiety can cause dizziness he said 100%. Then I also felt like I needed reassurance so I asked if anything major can happen to health within a 3 year span of my getting my blood work until now he said a solid no. I got prescribed meds and my doctor wasn't going to give me a requisition for another blood test but told me to just keep it around and if I want I could get it and if not I don't need it anytime soon. So I decided to try out the meds for a while see if it works then take it from there. Also was advised to take a 2 week leave from school to calm my nerves and see my therapist more often. Thanks everyone for your support. Means the world to me.

I hope you get some immediate relief from the meds. However it doesn't sound like you actually received any medical care if all you got was drugs to suppress symptoms with no investigation of possible causes. What about issues with blood sugar or thyroid? If it were me I would fire the doctor.

Anxiety and panic attacks dont just drop out of the sky. The body is reacting to something.

The body is reacting to the psychological. That's fodder for therapy. Her blood work and tests have always come back normal. The doctor has checked. She's in therapy to work on the psychological issues that are causing her anxiety and the subsequent physical manifestations of that anxiety.