Im having a really hard time dealing with my symptoms. No doc can find anything really. Im not even anxious or depressed! The physical symptoms just appear. Its crazy. My head feels so off. Disoriented and like im in a dream. Also physical head pain. Neck stiffness and pain. Lump in throat. Dark peripheral vision. I just need to know what im dealing with. How is this all anxiety? Doesnt make sense.
Is this anxiety? : Im having a really... - Anxiety and Depre...
Is this anxiety?
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Mike7777
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I wish I knew. The symptoms sound very rough. I hope you find answers soon. Stay strong Mike.
Im trying. Im doing everything i can aside from getting out more often. Seems like when i try it gets worse.
It’s okay. You’re doing great.
Thanks for replying
anxiety can cause a lot of symptoms! so this definitely could be anxiety but i’m no expert
Some of those symptoms sound like anxiety. It’s so different for everyone it can be hard to tell. I am so sorry you are dealing with this. I get the disorientation and it’s hard to explain. Just take care of yourself and keep trying things to help.
You say you are not suffering from anxiety yet you are experiencing classic symptoms of anxiety.
"Like I'm in a dream" equals derealisation. It's like watching what's happening around you on television. I had it it the 1970s and I called it "like not being here." Your mind senses anxiety and thinks you're in physical danger and is trying to distance you from reality. Strangely, I still feel it slightly in over lit environments such as supermarkets.
"Lump in the throat" equals Globus Hystericus. I had it in the 1990s. Had a barium meal and scan but they found nothing. There was nothing to find. It's only a feeling. Another classic anxiety symptom, someone turns up on this forum at least once a week mentioning it.
"Dark peripheral vision" I have never experienced myself but have heard it mentioned many times by others. Your mind wants you to focus on the physical danger ahead (a sabre toothed tiger maybe) and doesn't want you distracted by anything else.
So now you know what you're dealing with and it does make sense: anxiety disorder.
Maybe you you don't actually feel anxious when these symptoms occur? That doesn't matter, it's still anxiety: your nervous system has become over sensitive due to stress overload and remains in that condition 24/7 so it's always there ready to play mind games when least expected.
Recovery comes by accepting the symptoms for the time being (they can do you no permanent harm) and concentrating instead on treating the cause: the nervous sensitisation. You can do this using the formula Face - Accept - Float - Let time pass as described many years ago by Doctor Claire Weekes in her first book 'Self help for your nerves'.
This book, still available new or used from Amazon and Ebay will bring you understanding, reassurance and a path to recovery.
Thank you for your reply, this was good knowledge to read, i totally get that way in overly lit environments like you describe. Its debilitating. Its so hard. I try to distract myself but the physical feelings linger and get worse. I feel as if ill fall asleep/passout. Are there any meds you reccomend?
I know very little about meds, do discuss this with your doctor who is qualified to help. I took amitriptyline, and older style anti-anxiety med, and it was very effective taking 3 weeks to kick in. I also find diazepam instantly effective but it can only be used for a few weeks continuously or just as needed.
Trying to distract yourself is not in keeping with the teachings of Claire Weekes whose Acceptance method relies on FACING your anxiety and passing through it. Learn to live with your anxiety anf you'll be able to live without it.
Meds are all very well but when you come off them the anxiety symptoms usually return. Using the self help method described in Claire Weekes' classic book promises recovery but takes practice and persistence.
You will not pass out, the power of anxiety is limited and it cannot kill you, disable you or make you lose your mind.
You will not always feel like this but you must take responsibility for your recovery, inform yourself, as it is unlikely to just go away by itself. Just taking a pill is not the best long term solution.
Oh i do learn to accept it. Its hard. I have responsibilities i have everyday. But the physical symptoms are constantly there.. ive only tried ssris, zoloft and lexapro, and was once on an snri, trazodone with it. I got borderline serotonin syndrome. Its very hard having to self diagnose. Maybe i should stay on these meds longer, give them more of a chance? I was on them for a couple months and i still had symptoms. Also recently tried gabapentin that made me dizzy so i stopped after 2 days. I get what you mean learning to live with it but if i can take meds to help why wouldnt i? Ive done everything naturally. How long does it take for my body to accept this disorder? Im getting very impatient as those are around me. I know people who take meds long term and feel much better, not saying thats what i need but im tired of living life like this. One thing im waiting on is to see a psychiatrist. Ive seen a psychologist, my primary doc, and neurologist. I have kids. I need a change now. I cant continue like this. I will admit ive been on lorazepam for a few months as needed, sometimes i have taken it everyday, a very low dose. It actually has been the most helpful for me. My doc has no problem with me being on it. Thats it though. I meditate every night as well.
Mike
So sorry you are still struggling. I do meditation also. It helps quiet my thoughts. Do you find it effective? Are you able to get regular exercise? That's another thing I find very helpful.
I wish they could find a Med to help you. Hopefully the psychiatrist can help you.
Yea i mean meditation helps i guess. I dont exercise because im afraid to go to the gym weres theres alot of people. I might consider going at a time late at night but its hard sometimes.
How long did you take ssri? How long did u take snri? It is not surprising that lorazepam helps because is an anti anxiety med (benzo). Think about someone with anxiety and someone with no anxiety. You give a benzo to each one. What happens? The person with anxiety will feel normal and the one with no anxiety will get very high and sleepy. About borderline serotonine syndrome. Borderline is known as emotional unstable personality disorder and to be diagnosed some symptoms apply like: cutting wrists to demand attention, engaging in dangerous sexual relations without thinking in consequences or for example have a right with someone because they are not feeling like u feel. About serotonine syndrome usually happens when our body is given more antidepressants than he should ( example: taking 2 different ssri at the same time let's say Zoloft and Prozac -this is dangerous). Did some of these happened to you? Besides having depression and anxiety I work in mental health . I did 3 degrees and I am always scared when doctors diagnose someone. Knowing very little about you I would say you have depression and anxiety, and correct me if I am wrong buddy, did you stop any ssri or snri by yourself? It takes 8-12 weeks for ssri work although become people improve in 3 days or 1 week.
I was on zoloft for over a year in the past and it worked. I came off of it for a couple years then all the sudden a few months ago my symptoms came back. I started zoloft again, was on it for about 4-5 weeks then switched to lexapro because zoloft wasnt working. Was on lexapro for about 3-4 weeks. My nurse says 3 weeks in is a therapeudic dose. I got many bad side effects when on these drugs. I was also on trazodone which is another anti depressant. But i was only on that for a week or so, while taking lexapro. Should i have given the lexapro and zoloft more time? Any other ssris you reccomend me trying?
It's hard to say whats right and wrong. If Zoloft was not working you did well in talking with your doctor. Lexapro is very good also as it is fluoxetine , paroxetine etc. However we are all different and what's good for you might not be to others and vice versa. The side effects unfortunately happen but usually go away in few days/weeks. You are on lexapro since 3-4 weeks which might take or not 8-12 weeks for the full potential. Remember you are the person who knows yourself better than anyone. U can and you will go back to routine and have a normal life. I usually say that a diabetic or someone with heart problems needs meds, so don't be sad because you are on meds. CBT , meds and exercise are for now how we fight anxiety and depression. Have you consider being followed by a psychiatrist? That professional is the best one to help you with all respect for GP, psychologists and nurses work
Hi Mike
Your symptoms do sound like anxiety. Most of my symptoms were physical as well.
I do think you need longer on antidepressants and possibly a dose increase to fully recover. It took 4 months for my antidepressant Venlafaxine and two dose increases for me to get back to normal.
I have stayed well with just a few minor symptoms left after 2.5 years. I intend to remain on them LT as I can tell that I still have over production of stress hormones.
Really hope you recover, be guided by your doctors, I am only talking from my own experience.
Kim
Mike, I don't think I've made clear what I mean by Acceptance. I don't mean accept that you're stuck with it. I mean acceptance for the time being as a tool for recovery as described in Claire Weekes' first book which has allowed tens of millions to recover over the past 50 years. Big difference.
You say you do accept it but the symptoms are still constantly there.
This shows clearly that you haven't accepted it or you wouldn't be complaining that it's still there.
I've failed in my long posts to convey to you what Acceptance I'm talking about. The last thing I would recommend to anybody is that they just accept they've got anxiety disorder and should just grin and bear it. God forbid!
I guess i get what your saying but as much as i try to recover the physical symptoms linger. I will continue to try use it as a tool for recovery.
I kinda disagree . From my experience and as someone living during almost 30 years with depression and anxiety is accept your anxiety. Let me explain. I never wanted to accept I just wanted meds and a miracle cure. First what's anxiety? Anxiety is part of our fight or flight biological system very useful to escape/ fight predators. As we evolved we became the number one species however the anxiety is still part of our reptilian system. Think about it. You go on a dark valley someone attacks you it is thanks to anxiety that your body will in seconds be prepared to fight or run (full of adrenaline). Now you probably don't care about this because the symptoms are so unpleasant and I understand that . Why? Because one day a traumatic event happened and your body is know constantly on alert. And that makes you feel sad and sadness make u feel anxious. They coexist so...What the ssri do is improve your mood (happiness feel good etc) and the benzo short term panic / anxiety blocking. Now u can have a normal life only with this but last research as shown that meds with CBT + exercise = full recovery. What CBT does is help you to accept anxiety, trick your anxiety and understand that she is normal. Remember when you were a kid? We had fears like a witch or darkness. Then we grow up and we think "How silly". I am not telling you that your a my anxiety are silly . I am telling that we can fight back. Have you ever wondered when we are anxious that we are not breathing properly? The next time ( be patient and practice) try to close your eyes and count backwards from 100 to zero. But remember breathe with your belly ( put your hand there and feel her up and down). Then you will imagine or see 5 things, hear 5 things, smell 5 things, touch 5 things and taste five things. Lastly imagin your perfect place lik a beach and waves or raining in the forest . Stay on that place for minutes. After this I assure u that your heart rate will be back to normal. It takes time and practice. The secret behind it is that our brain can't think in anxiety and other stuff at once. So when you distract yourself the anxiety decrease . Hope this helps
Yes great advice. I am in therapy but everytime i try to go to the gym i get overwhelmed. I will do my best to overcome this. Thank you for your response.
Of course. But u don't have to do anything u don't want. Still today I always sit nearby a door 
See a psychiatrist Mike. Thrust me you will go back to the road in no time
Did you see a family type doctor? He can't diagnose you. You need a counselor.
I dont think a counselor can diagnose the actual disorder, they just help you talk through things and try to identify the problem and help you solve it. I do see my primary doc as well as a psychologist. The one i havent seen yet is a psychiatrist.
Indeed anxiety can cause a lot of symptoms, for me as example is related to lung. I cannot breathe like the lung is blocked. I did a lot of examinations and analysis for lung, nothing was found and in the final I took antidepressants and my symptoms almost disappears. Could be also your case or could be something physical. You should continue to do a lot of investigations before you can say that is anxiety.
Hi Mike supposing that you don't have an underlying physical condition ....yes it is depression and anxiety. Both mimic perfectly other phycical conditions even if you are the healthiest person in the world. That's the hell of depression and anxiety . When u say u feel like in a dream we call that depersonalization ( looks like "we are not there"). We feel also confused, no motivation, we sleep much more or much less, withdrawal slowly from society, friends, work, etc. Head, neck and or stiffness pain ( again supposing u are physically healthy) happens because of the "mental" pressure u put in yourself. Some people have highly demanding physical jobs and ( crazy or not) and they feel "normal stiffness" like when we exercise we get sore. If u have a normal pain/stiff neck, with depression / anxiety the pain will feel 10x worse. But there is good news buddy. 1) medication 2) exercise 3) CBT. Even if you do just one of these you will improve drastically. The most important thing here is that you don't feel alone, strange or like a freak ( that's what I thought I was when I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety). What other symptoms do u have? Have u consider talking with a psychiatrist or gp? Regards
My anxiety makes my throat tight and it will also feel like I have a lump in my throat. I also have a lot of neck and shoulder pain. According to my doctor I carry my stress in my neck/shoulder area. I get massages every month to help with that part. My head will also feel funny when I’m about to fall asleep, but that’s the only time it happens to me.
I hope you get some relief soon.💜
Hi Mike7777,
It sounds like panic attack. Do you get triggered when you return to the location where you had your last attack? Are you starting to avoid those places? I started having "panic" when I was in my teenage years. I was told that it was all in my head and I just wanted attention. I thought I was crazy and losing my mind. It's a very lonely place when you don't have the proper support. I was finally diagnosed when I was 31 after my 2nd child. Medication has helped a great deal but found that medication alone is not the answer, cognitive therapy is also necessary.
I hope you find the answers and can get back to living your best life.
Hugs,
Marie
I sometimes get triggered by places ive visited, but also new places. I do have panic attacks and take lorazepam.
Mike7777
I am wondering if besides depression that you may have presentation anxiety? On top of the possiblility of not enough sleep. Do you eat well?
Sounds like ligma.
Makes sense
Enjoy your report kiddooo
I can now see the source of your anxiety.
Same goes to you.
You are a joke. I suggest quit obsessing about trolling my comments and taking care of your own issues. Get a life.
Hi Mike, so sorry for the symptoms you're having.
Are you on any medications?
Anxiety can cause many different kinds of symptoms. Typically depression and anxiety go hand in hand. Our bodies are complex machines. If not fine tuned all sorts of symptoms can pop up.
Do you have any anxiety support groups in your area? Support groups can be very helpful.
Lastly, has your doctor discussed trying you on an Antidepressant that also helps anxiety? Some work better for anxiety than others.
The best of luck Mike. Keep us posted on how you're doing.
P.S. Do you get any exercise? Walking can help anxiety.
Thanks for your reply Mike.
It does sound as though you are having Anxiety. The fear of going out, crowds, groups can also be signs of acrophobia.
I wonder if you have talked to your doctor about this?
I used to have "Panic Attacks" when in a group. It can be a very scary feeling!
You may need a different type of antidepressant such as Effexor (Venlafaxine). This medication has helped me greatly with anxiety and depression. Careful, slow tappering with help from your doctor is important when you stop the medication.
I hope you find your doctor helpful. It may just take more communication with he/she to get you on track. Tell the doctor everything you are experiencing!
Take care Mike!
Drink nothing but water and I mean lots of water,
Hi Mike7777
How well do you sleep? The fogginess you are expressing is a huge part of depression. Focus is terrible. Do you sleep well?
Are you going through personal issues right now that may be messing with your self esteem?
I dont sleep the best, nothing seems to help. Ive gained weight but i wouldnt say its lowered my self esteem. Trazodone worked well for sleep but i had bad side effects to it.
Okay Mike7777,
What are your daily activities. Is it the same routine, different...how do you feel when doing them? Is there consistency when doing them.
Do you live with someone that has a lot of baggage that has been brought into your world? I mean are you overwhelmed with anything?
I am taking steps and listening to you. Thank you for being patient.
I have 2 kids. So you know how that goes. Can be stressful. I dont really do to much. Just run errands here and there.
But is this a new situation for you? Yes kids can be very active, absolutely. Do you mind me asking if you are unemployed or have been?
I dont work i havent since these sympyoms got worse. Im in school online though.
No this has been going on for 4 years on and off.
Hey Mike
Dont worry it’s sounds like anxiety to me. I get the same thing I won’t be thinking anxious thoughts but then my body will get hit with all these feelings. Dizzyness, feeing weird like I’m not here and everything is fake, and tightness in the Brian and more. Although you aren’t feeling anxious in the brain your body can get anxious. It sometimes happens to me. It makes you think that there is something physically wrong with you but there isn’t it’s just anxiety.
I mean go to a doctor about it and just get tested to put your mind at ease but i get the same thing as you and mine is anxiety.
You should try seeing a psychologist
They will teach you how to deal with these feelings. Or try going on medication
I do see a psychologist. I feel like i may need better meds.
Okay this actually answers a lot. So when I asked if you were getting enough sleep and eating well.... what happened that put your world in a tail spin. You said your unemployed for four years. Sometimes when we experience such a loss as a job whether it was because we were fired or quit it plays in on our psyche. EXSPECIALLY a guy, you are built to fix things and take care of what is right.
The reason why I asked about sleep and activity they go hand in hand. What I mean is that lets say you Do not get enough activity eventually you will become sleepy because your body slows down, and it is very possible you will gain weight. Or you had a lot of activity, physically and mentally and you can not keep up.
(Melatonin 10mg to start should help with that, but take it right when you lay down or it may wake you up for the rest of the night. )
Okay back to the sleeping. When your mind is in a fog the day can be just as foggy. Some days or than others. The first thing that came to my mind is that the event of you quitting or loosing your job may have invertently caused you to question your capabilities which can contribute to questioning yourself in other areas of your life. Is it possible that job performance and the possibility of failure is something you are struggling with?
To be honest you mentioned you do not feel that you are depressed. Do you feel like you are capable of over riding your symptoms? You know, mind over matter....It is am important question!
Your mind and body go hand in hand, both knowing what the other is doing. We just do not feeling the signs until later. Always listen to your body!
Do you have health insurance?
Yea i only have state funded health insirance.
Okay. What state
thanks for being patient.
Kansas, im currently trying to find a psychiatrist.
Okay. Go on the internet and look up geneologySight.com them go to your doctor and ask if he can get the test done for you. They have had wonderful results with the testing itself. Most insurances cover it especially from a referred doctor. I hope the best. :))
Hi Mike
I have read that Venlafaxine or Effexor in the USA can work for anxiety when alot of other antidepressants have failed. It certainly works well for me. I think you also have to reach an effective dose. People often need at least 150 mg for GAD. The maximum dose is 225 or on occasions 375mg. I am on 187.5 which I built up to in small increments over a year.
It has the disadvantage of being difficult to get on to due to unpleasant side effects at first but these disappear in time and it is also difficult to come off however in my case I intend to stay on it while ever it is still working for me.
Good luck
Kim
Already got a scan so nope. Nice try.
Hi Mike, I'm so sorry that u have to go through this. I can relate to these symptoms and it's the same with me too.I don't feel anxious abt anything and somehow I have these symptoms along with others everyday for 24/7. Do u feel your body shaking slightly?
Not really.. i do get rapid body shakes kinda like shocks sometimes. They happen alot more while i was on ssris
Addison, I sometimes feel like my body is vibrating in certain places, is that what you mean?
Hi brightfuture22, my whole body shake a bit not much tho sometimes it's visible and wen I'm nervous it gets worse
I get this when I am in a panic attack. I will shake as if I am outside in the cold with no jacket on, if that makes sense. IDK why but shaking and panic/anxiety are related.
Ohhhh woww.. This happens to me everyday for 24/7 sometimes I think it's due to anxiety but sometimes I don't cuz most times I'm not even anxious
I have recovered from anxiety years ago, but I remember well the symptoms and feelings that came with it. Twice in my life I have had symptoms that doctors couldn't diagnose and so both times the solution was ANXIETY. Except it wasn't and I knew the difference. The first instance I had Anemia and I went through 5 doctors before it was discovered. The symptoms it caused exactly mimicked anxiety. The second time I had Atril Fibrillation , but I was told it was anxiety until it became severe. Sometimes it isn't anxiety and you have to be careful here because it is common to be in denial when you do have anxiety. It takes time and patience and doctors can get difficult if you pursue the search for a physical diagnoses. I would ask for a blood work up. Then I would google and google some more. What is it when it isn't anxiety and common miss diagnoses to start. Yes I know everyone will tell you not to google, but as long as you cross check your answers you should be fine. You've got some work ahead of you. Good luck. Pam
I have gotten my bloodwork done too many times to count. The only thing abnormal in the beginning was my redblood cell count/hemoglobin and cholesterol. Recently they are back to normal.
Mike7777 here is a site I came across due to all my Neuro symptoms and painful head pressure faintness head zaps etc etc etc it’s helping me to try to fully accept it it as anxiety and panic which also falls under functional neurological disorder. And I have read and heard how acceptance full acceptance or radical acceptance is the key. I have made myself go walk with my little boy and all trying to accept it and face it even feel awful. Check this site out, you can literally look up almost every type of symptom of anxiety and it goes on to explain why or how it happens. I always say the symptoms are what gave me the anxiety panic in the first place because I too never was an anxious person nor had panic then one day I woke up and my world changed and not for the good. Dr after dr specialist ER etc.
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