Is this anxiety?

[natal1a]

Hello all

I'm new to the anxiety forum and just wanted a bit of advice.

I've had a few health problems for the past 18 months and at times have felt a but stressed out by them.

But lately, I've started feeling constantly like I'm about to go in for a job interview or an exam or something, and this feeling is with me 90% of the time. I don't get the palpitations or the shortness of breath but I get this absolute sick to the stomach feeling. Sometimes I can't face doing things because I feel so physically sick and on occasions have gagged in public! I've actually been a lot better for the past few months but recently it's started up again.

It has got to the point where this week I had two nights of such poor sleep that I had to take two days off work and yesterday I phoned my manager and just broke down in tears! I was honest with her and I said I just feel really anxious etc and I've made an appointment to see my gp next week.

I am 31 and want to do so much more with my life. I have come back to stay with my parents for the weekend which is lovely and I got a better nights sleep last night, but today I'm supposed to be meeting a friend and I still for some reason feel sick!

I have also been breaking down in tears more regularly.

Does this sound like depression / anxiety or both and can this be helped?

Thank you

[Hidden]

Yes coz that's the way I'm feeling now,on edge,feeling breathless,panicky,scared,I'm on citalopram,dontvthinkits ding any good

[Hidden]

Hello Natal,

I would say that does sound very like how I was feeling when I first got anxiety too.

Especially the tears. Because something was happening inside that I knew was not right, and I started feeling sorry for myself because I was scared. Also at these times we want to be near our parents, as if they can protect us from whatever is going on.

The stomach part, I didnt get till much later, however that could be a health anxiety symptom. You mention a few health problems, was it anything to do with your stomach, I would as a precaution just mention it to the doctors, to allow you to not worry too much on that score.

IBS is common in anxiety sufferers, and can manifest in a feeling of bloatedness, acid reflux, etc. so it could be that.

Depression and anxiety are usually formed together in some way, maybe anxiety taking the fore or depression.

Wishing you well

B

xxxx

[AntoniaSaysHello]

nhs.uk/Conditions/Anxiety/P...

Perhaps this helps.

[Hidden]

I often have the feeling of nauea especially when I'm tired and sometimes its a faint sort of feeling too. I also think I have then when I've had cheese or anything too rich at lunch time. Anxiety is rotten and some people, like my neighbour who is so happy go lucky, never realise what its like. Not just pull yourself together that doesn't work, we need understanding and support. AND the are millions of us about we are not alone. hugs cotonroad

[everythingpasses]

This sounds very like GAD - general anxiety disorder, probably brought on by the months of continued worry about your health. Please do not be alarmed or frightened, the same thing happened to me about 7 years ago when I was 32. In my opinion all of the symptoms you are describing are stress related. I would advise you see a doctor about going onto anti depressants to help get you through this, they are not additive and are extremely helpful for sufferers of anxiety, initially your anxiety may get worse (for about 1/2 weeks) but stick with it and you will feel better and back to normal. It would be good to speak to a counsellor someone with experience of CBT in particular. Make sure you eat very healthy, get as much rest as possible when you can, and do not drink alcohol, do not put pressure on yourself to socialise at this stage just give yourself some time, read books about relaxation techniques, take a yoga class. Don't worry you will still be able to do all that you want to do in life!

Good luck

[natal1a]

Thanks everyone for your help. My physical health probs are rheumatological and the past 18 months have just been hard for various reasons. I think it's knocked my confidence a bit and while most of the time I'm ok (I'm at work now), occasionally I have moments of anxiety / feeling low. Do the medications they give treat both of these things? It's just that feeling anxious and feeling low are two completely different things aren't they?

I'm seeing my gp later and I just want to make sure they give me the right meds as I really don't want to be fobbed off! Like I said I'm not having palpitations or anything, it's more this horrible stomach in knots feeling. But... I'm much better this week than I was last week although I still think I'm going to go to the docs.

[natal1a]

Thanks everyone for your help. My physical health probs are rheumatological and the past 18 months have just been hard for various reasons. I think it's knocked my confidence a bit and while most of the time I'm ok (I'm at work now), occasionally I have moments of anxiety / feeling low. Do the medications they give treat both of these things? It's just that feeling anxious and feeling low are two completely different things aren't they?

I'm seeing my gp later and I just want to make sure they give me the right meds as I really don't want to be fobbed off! Like I said I'm not having palpitations or anything, it's more this horrible stomach in knots feeling. But... I'm much better this week than I was last week although I still think I'm going to go to the docs.

[natal1a]

Thanks everyone for your help. My physical health probs are rheumatological and the past 18 months have just been hard for various reasons. I think it's knocked my confidence a bit and while most of the time I'm ok (I'm at work now), occasionally I have moments of anxiety / feeling low. Do the medications they give treat both of these things? It's just that feeling anxious and feeling low are two completely different things aren't they?

I'm seeing my gp later and I just want to make sure they give me the right meds as I really don't want to be fobbed off! Like I said I'm not having palpitations or anything, it's more this horrible stomach in knots feeling. But... I'm much better this week than I was last week although I still think I'm going to go to the docs.

[Hidden]

hi natal, it does sound like you have anxiety/stress, you have had a bout of poor health lately so it could be linked to that, pop in and see your doc, tell him everything you have said on this site, and hopefully he will prescribe something for you to help you through your difficult time, love jasper xx

[muffkin]

Sounds exactly what I have

[dougal2]

Hi

It could be anxiety, but I would go to doctors for diagnosis. I have anxiety with OCD, still got it but have been prescribed sertraline and with some c.b.t for OCD I'm managing it. Exercise going for walk and talking about your condition can help