Anxiety makes me feel so ill

I've struggled with anxiety and depression off and on for as long as I can remember. I'm 46 now. I've tried anti depressants twice but couldn't tolerate the side effects - nausea, feeling spaced out etc. - so came off them within a few days. I've also got various phobias especially around feeling sick or dizzy (hence I feel sick and dizzy a lot) and general health anxiety. When I'm having a bad episode of feeling low, I just feel so physically ill. My IBS flares up, I can't get rid of colds, my energy is low and I can't sleep or eat properly. This morning I tried to go to work (I love my job although a long commute on public transport gets me down) but I had to turn round at the station and come home as I felt so ill I thought I'd pass out - my legs turned to jelly. Now I'm so disappointed with myself - again. I let people down at work and I'm no good to my family - my husband and I have drifted apart so much I cannot talk to him. I try to hold things together for the sake of my children, but it keeps gets harder..... I've tried therapy before but nothing seems to help long term. I'm exhausted and fed up with feeling like this. Just wanted to get that off my chest and see if anyone feels similar.

12 Replies

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  • I'm sorry to hear of your on going struggle. I know for me, anxiety can be all consuming and it sounds like it's that way for you as well. I wish I had some great words of wisdom for you, but sadly I don't. I think you and I are at the same place right now. All I can tell you is you are not alone.

  • Thank you. It means a lot to know I'm not the only one not coping very well. Hope we feel better soon.

  • No, you are not alone- right here with you.

  • I have days like this and feel very alone my partner doesn't understand this is an illness, so I don't talk to him about this, I try to pull myself together for the sake of the kids, but feel very useless, so I sort of understand where your coming from I'm waiting for a doctors appointment but like you don't want to take meds, but I have been told by lots of people here some meds aren't as bad as they use to be so I'm going to give them a try, I find colouring helps occupy my mind and relaxes me, also meditation when your in the bath helps give it ago and don't feel alone there are lots of understanding people here that help by just begin there also they are very good with advice and they care so when you need to sound off I'm sure someone will always be here take care

  • Thanks Tillymay. I really appreciate the advice. I'll have a think about these things. Thanks again for sharing. I'm new to here.

  • Your very welcome and even if you decide not to try these things, I'm still here if you ever need to just get things off you chest, take care and remember your not alone.

  • Its sad but I am suffering from similar condition. My major concern is heart palpitation which makes me feel more anxious. My health is gradually deteriorating. I tried anti-depressants and herbal medicines too but nothing works.

    I have little success with self therapy. Try to meditate and change your all negative perceptions to the positive.

    Self positive talks, exercises and yoga might help you. I feel awful with medication so I stopped visiting doctors. I also suffer from IBS ( functional dyspepsia) could be result of the anxiety.

    Hope this helps. you are not alone . Hope you will find what works on you soon.

    thanks

  • I too have the palpitations which make the anxiety worse. I had 2 heartblations and fear a 3rd if I keep going like this. Seems like there is always some physical problem and ongoing worrying. You are not alone. I too cannot take meds for depression and anxiety they all make me sick. Exercise and diet are the 2 things we can do for ourselves. Forcing myself everyday to do 30minutes exercise helps everything so I'm told. I push myself to the gym. I know each Day can be a struggle.

  • Prayer helps out a lot.

  • I think being compassionate with ourselves is important. We all have bad days. There is a Japanese saying that goes something like this: It is OK to fall down 11 times so long as you get up 12. :-)

  • I have a magnet that has a quote: Falling down is part of life. Getting back up is living. I hope that you have a good support system.

  • Be good to yourself, anxiety is tricky, I have been through this over and over. You will have your ups and downs in life. How you respond is the key.

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