Why do I still have physical symptoms of anxiety

[Ceaser_Leone]

even during moments of good days of anxiety I still have moments where my stomach cramps i feel bloated, when do the physical symptoms stop ?

[CatIsMyCopilot]

For me it sometimes took days to come down from an attack, depending on how severe it was.

I heard once "The physical symptoms will go away once they mean less to you." This essentially happened for me, though it seemed impossible when I heard it for the first time. After you have them enough times, in enough different scenarios, you realize they're not going to stop you from living, and you just get kind of bored of them.

As I said, this seemed impossible to me at first, and it may seem that way to you now, but just know that each time you experience the symptoms, you're learning something about them, and thus taking a small step to caring about them less.

[Ceaser_Leone in reply to CatIsMyCopilot]

I really believe that too, I cant wait for that day when they leave

[CatIsMyCopilot in reply to Ceaser_Leone]

I know it's hard to imagine, but just know that you can reach this place: you'll eventually not care as much whether they stay or go. You'll get "bored" with the physical discomfort. You won't have much choice, in fact, so I know you'll succeed in this. It just takes time and experience.

Just to tell you a bit more about how it went for me:

- First I couldn't accept the symptoms at all. I had my first anxiety attack, and prayed it would never happen again. Of course... I had more attacks, but always at night, for whatever reason.

- Then I kind of had an epiphany where I realized: I can accept this. I can just put myself to bed with a book and ride this out. It's not hurting me or making me crazy. I can accept it.

- Then I had my first anxiety attack that lasted through the night into the next morning. I *freaked out*. How could this be? This is against the rules! I can't have anxiety attacks during the day! Or attacks that last multiple days! Now it's really going to ruin my life. This of course drove that attack to be even worse, and it ended up lasting 4 days.

- I finally brought myself out of that attack by realizing I literally had no choice but to accept. I was unemployed at the time. I took myself to the movies alone during the day (saw the Disney penguin documentary, which was super cute) and rode out the attack. I don't want to make it sound easy, but trying to keep this semi-short.

- That was fine for awhile. Then I got a job, and eventually had an anxiety attack *during a work day*. Again, I felt this broke the rules! How can I work while having an anxiety attack? My life is ruined again! Major freakout. And yet, I kept going, and learned that I can work through anxiety.

All of this took place over a span of months.

Sorry for the long post, but I guess I just wanted to share my own experience. Maybe it won't be yours. But just know that if it takes you awhile, that's OK.

Now I still have my issues (I've been posting about my lack of self-confidence after my anxiety disorder), but I learned to at least not fear the physical symptoms. I know you will too.

[Ceaser_Leone in reply to CatIsMyCopilot]

Oh my God thank you so much, this was so inspiring and helpful and I want to develop the strength and courage to overcome my physical symptoms as you have. Most of my symptoms occur at night too and i recognized that it got worse when it affected me on my new job, even now as I am typing this I have a discomfort in the bottom of my belly and my mind is trying to tell me im gonna be sick and i know thats not the case. "Im just so ready for it to be over and I can eat food again, im tired of going to bed hungry some nights because of fear of being pain, its to the oint that I thought I had ibs and i have never had problem with my digestion, but i graciously wanna thank you for your kind words of encouragement and i hope this will pass soon