anxiety and physical symptoms

[SportsGuy17]

I’ve been struggling with anxiety for a decade or more but I usually go through more anxious times before or during big life changes. I try to notice this and take it for what it is but the physical symptoms seem to really bother me. Let alone racing thoughts, it seems like waking up with intense feelings, headaches and shortness of breath is really bothersome. I try not to let this get me down daily, realizing this is just my anxiety and “this will too pass” but it gets to be a lot every day. I’m constantly checking in with myself on how I feel and that only adds to the anxiety. Any tips out there? Thank you all for your support.

[LoveforAll41]

Hi SportsGuy, I hate that shortness of breath and tight throat... my intestines feeling like they are a wet rag being rung out...

I don't know that I have any good advice yet. Exercise always helps me, but I get to the point where I feel like I have to do it and I feel bad about myself if I don't. I am working in therapy right now to sit and feel my feelings rather than try to resolve them and understand why I am feeling them. It sounds like you are doing a pretty good job of accepting it so I will look forward to reading the other replies to your post. I hope there are other replies, it sometimes seems to me that I reply to a post then it doesn't get seen as much. ☮️

[davidthecoder]

Hey SportsGuy,

While many talk about the dreadful worry that comes with anxiety, the physical symptoms are just as challenging to deal with.

I get the racing thoughts, rapid heart rate, shallow breathing.

I don't know if you consume caffeine, but it might not help these things. But when they happen to me, which seems to be daily the past 2 or 3 years, my only real recourse has been to meditate through these feelings. Just know that they will pass. Always keep in mind that it is temporary. It will come and go like a wave. Observe the physical sensations in a detached way.

[SportsGuy17 in reply to davidthecoder]

Thanks for the thoughts. I too, seem to struggle with the physical sensations daily. Some days they’re stronger than others but it’s just a part of who I am I guess. Like you said, just trying to observe and recognize them for what they are. I like the quote “it’s discomfort, not danger”.

[Agora1]

Hi SportsGuy17, I'd like to Welcome you to a safe and caring support community.

I spent many years where you are with Anxiety, Physical Symptoms and even 5 years

of Agoraphobia (where I never left my home).

Through medication, therapy and searching for other tools to bring down my

emotional stress, I not only made it out of the house but long left Anxiety in my past.

Yes, it can be done when the time is right. When you are in the right frame of mind

to not believe the lies our mind tells us. As you work on the negative thoughts that

are played over and over again in your subconscious mind, it affects the body.

The Mind/Body Connection is so intricately entwined that one feeds off the other.

Reducing stress can be helped by acceptance that it is not life threatening.

Finding what works for you is the "key" to success.

For me, it was finding that my Breathing was the key. You can literally delete

physical symptoms by changing your way of breathing. It will not only slow

down the heart rate, but lower the b/p and reduce the Adrenaline.

I'm glad you are here. You just took the first step forward towards your goal xx

[SportsGuy17]

thank you to all who have responded so far. It’s helpful to hear others have dealt with similar feelings and made positive strides. One thing I seem to be stuck in right now is my breathing pattern. I meditate but sometimes I find myself checking in on my breath too much that it makes me have shortness of breath. Is there any breathing exercise you prefer over the other? I agree that acceptance is key and I’m working towards that one day at a time.

[CL3V3R-G1RL]

I hate the psychical sensations that anxiety can cause. For me, it's stomach cramps (sometimes the occasional anxiety 💩), nervous bladder (which means I get this feeling I need to pee a lot but don't) nausea and sweating.

I have to tell myself that these sensations won't kill me. Yes, they are uncomfortable. I acknowledge that they are uncomfortable but they won't hurt me. They will pass right on by.

I try to do some breathing exercises. Which tends to help me. Like box breathing feels good to me. Breathe in thru the noise for a count of 4, hold for 4, exhale thru the mouth for 4 and hold for 4. And repeat.

Sometimes lying down on the floor. Just grounding myself.

Checking in too much with yourself can yeah make the anxiety worse. Like everything in this world it takes time to master. You're going to have days were you are able to pull it off and other days not so much. Eventually you will get there.

Here's to getting to that place 💗🫂

[SportsGuy17 in reply to CL3V3R-G1RL]

As much as I know this is just anxiety, it still makes the mornings and days challenging when I feel it coursing through me. I just want to hang on to hope that it will pass, and that not every day will be controlled by this feeling...

[CL3V3R-G1RL in reply to SportsGuy17]

I know how you feel. And in time you'll get there. I was the same thinking this is going to be my life forever. But slowly I started to pull myself out of the hole. Things aren't a 100% but it's a lot better than what they were.

I recommend DARE: A New Way to End Anxiety and Stop Panic Attacks by Barry McDonagh book. It's also an app. It's free to use of course somethings are locked behind a pay wall. But the free stuff on there proved to be very helpful to me. Maybe it can help you

🫂❤️

[SportsGuy17 in reply to CL3V3R-G1RL]

Thanks so much for the resources and support. It means a lot ❤️

[secrets22]

hello SportsGuy, i actually think the older you get the overwhelming anxiety become worse and more pronounced , i have no answer except to keep on keeping on.