(Newbie) Hope + Feeling Weak & Shut Down A... - Anxiety Support

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(Newbie) Hope + Feeling Weak & Shut Down All Day

9 Replies

I planned an amazing out today... there's so much I have to do, a combination of work and play but yesterday something unexpected hit me. I've been going through anxiety my whole life, as a 10-year old, I would get panic attacks often and as a 19-year old there was a time when I would have panic attacks 5 times a day. I went through something traumatic so it's understandable that my body couldn't cope. But, this never stopped me from doing things. I often would feel like dying and I cry a lot because most of the time I'd be confused but I never want my anxiety to ruin my life. I'm such an outgoing person and there are so many things I want to do. And throughout this anxiety, I did it. I managed to do it. I went through life with anxiety.

But, yesterday was different and I'm honestly scared. I found a thread on here that started something like "I feel so weak and my body feels like shutting down". That thread describes how I felt. On Tuesday night, I felt something similar to vertigo. But, it's highly unlikely for me to get vertigo because I'm only 21. And on Wednesday, I just felt weak like I might fall down. But on Thursday (yesterday), I was on a train and I felt heart palpations (it felt like my heart was dropping inside me), super weak like it was hard to get up and walk, and as I was walking I felt my weight of my body, yet my head felt light-headed. And of course, I got really, really anxious. I felt like I was going to die and I had some sort of terminal illness. Or my liver or kidney was failing.

It's ridiculous that I feel this way but I'll be okay... I'm still going to go to that interview and the party. Worst come to worst, I faint. But I am not going to shut myself in a hole even though this new-form of anxiety that I'm experiencing is literally following me. This is almost like a horror movie. When I share how I feel with friends, they all say "rest", UHM I'VE RESTED ENOUGH.

Anyway, I'm happy I found this thread. It gives me hope. Things will get better. Trust.

9 Replies
anxiouslady13 profile image
anxiouslady13

For starters, saying you wont shut yourself in a hole because of anxiety is excellent! I let anxiety grab a hold of me and now it wont let go so keep your frame of mind strong. I had the feelings of weakness and I couldn't keep my eyes open even though I was totally awake. I explained the feelings I was having to my therapist and she assured me it was a panic attack. My panic attacks are usually the exact opposite so it took a while to "believe" her. Anyway, now I know panic attacks come with a huge variety of different symptoms.

Acceptance of anxiety and panic attacks help them to not be so severe and easier to overcome! I always advice people that experience a panic attack or anxiety to just go get checked out by a Dr to rule out any medical issue.

You are not alone! Welcome to the group!

in reply to anxiouslady13

Hi anxiouslady13, thank you for your reply. If you don't mind me asking, could you describe your panic attacks? Do you think it's possible that they can change with new symptoms as opposed to ones previously had?

And yes, what a relief to hear! We're both on the right path :) we will kick anxiety in the butt! Haha.

anxiouslady13 profile image
anxiouslady13 in reply to

So sometimes I get a really weird sensation in my head and it feels like its filling up (not sure with what) and it scares me to the point I get shaky and I have to walk around my house. Other times I will be aware that I'm in a certain room or doing something then all of the sudden it wont seem real (depersonalization). Sometimes I get really overwhelmed with anxiety that I just cry and I can't stop. And sometimes I get incredibly weak and I can't lift my extremities, can't keep my eyes open then I get a headache. Usually I get nausea along with all the other symptoms. I have had chest pains so bad that they mimic a heart attack so I went to the emergency room and was tested and checked in to monitor for 3 days. I have definitely had a wide variety lol. I have also had every test done minus a spinal tap and I am in great health. Blood, heart, brain, everything.

In my experience symptoms will come on at anytime. Once I get used to one set of symptoms a whole new set of symptoms come along and scare the crap out of me. I'm in the process of accepting panic and anxiety for what they are. Annoying and harmless.

in reply to anxiouslady13

I can identify with some of that... all the best and don't give up. All will be well :)

I control it . Do the same.

in reply to

Yes! 😊💪

blackcat64013 profile image
blackcat64013

Hello FighterAnn1

Have you tried a wrist band for Anxiety?

An anxiety wrist band is not an anxiety treatment. It's not some new age treatment like those magnets that people put on their arms to reduce stress. In fact, it doesn't have to be a wrist band at all. Many people use rubber bands, or hair bands. Anything that can go on your wrists can potentially provide the same benefits.

What these wrist band treatments do is provide you with a tool that you can use as a reminder for how to control your anxiety.

Living in Your Own Head

One of the major issues that affects those with anxiety is this feeling that they're inside of their own head. They feel like they're unable to experience the world, and that they're so lost in thought that they cannot seem to focus on enjoying life.

The wristband anxiety treatment is designed to take you out of your own head and snap you back into reality. It's a reminder piece designed to get you to stop over-thinking and prevent anxiety from getting worse.

The Technique

Pick a rubber band or elastic wrist band - it must be able to snap.

Make sure you choose one that you are willing to wear every day.

Decide what you want to say to yourself or remember. For example: * "I am not going to let anxiety control me."

* "Nothing is wrong with me. My anxiety causes me to feel this way."

*

You can also try to remember how to overcome your anxiety like slowing down your breathing.

Snap the rubber band against your wrist 3 times. It may sting a little.

Repeat what you want to remember as you're snapping it.

Afterwards, any time you have anxiety, you snap it back and repeat to yourself what you need to remember, whether it's the affirmation or the tips for overcoming your panic attack or anxiety.

How Do These Wrist Band Treatments Work?

These wristbands and rubber bands are not doing anything magical. They're not claiming to be able to suck your anxiety out or change your spirit. They have nothing to do with "toxins." What they are is the type of reminder that those with anxiety need in order to help overcome their symptoms.

Living with anxiety requires far too much thinking. These rubber bands, and the little bit of pain that snapping them back on your arm causes, help bring you back to reality so that your thoughts are not causing you to feel like things around you are crashing. They are a great tool to remind you of something you need to remember, and they're nondescript - meaning they're one of the few anxiety treatments that few others will be able to notice, and they can be done almost anywhere.

Anxiety wrist bands can be made yourself and are a great tool for associating yourself with a stress free idea. The more you bring yourself out of your own head, the easier time you'll have coping with your anxiety.

Of course, these elastic wristbands are not an anxiety cure. They're more of a relaxation strategy. Combined with smart anxiety treatments and you'll be able to rid yourself of your anxiety forever.

Simple trick, cheap and effective. Worth a try :)

in reply to blackcat64013

Hi Blackcat, thanks for this neat little trick! I always have a hair thigh on my wrist. I'll definitely try this out. Thanks so much! ❤️❤️❤️

#update: So, I went out to do some

work and a member on here Agora1 that I reached out to recommended me a book: "Hope and Help for your Nerves" by Clair Weekes. I was reading the review for the book on Goodreads and there's an explanation in the book that helped me identify and explain what was going on within me. Basically, the back-to-back, endless anxiety was caused by an over-secretion of adrenaline. Every time I freaked out, adrenaline would be released. This helped clear up my confusion.

And my work; I'm a writer and I have a project where I interview creative people. The person I interviewed is a designer and strangely enough, she talked about her anxiety and we began talking about anxiety. She also shared with me something that just resonated (for use with or without anxiety) -

- if you have two choices, a comfortable one and one out of your comfort zone, go for the option that will make you uncomfortable because that's the only way you grow.

I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. Yes, there are some things we can't control. But we can choose our reaction. All will be well! Xx

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