How long can anxiety symptoms last?

[Loki83]

It’s been about a month since I hit a low of being in the ER with stomach pains and debilitating morning panic attacks, but my question is how long can symptoms linger even when the lows and the anxiety has considerably subsided? I’ve still been anxious at times but have kept it from spiraling. The initial symptoms have mostly subsided such as the twitching, jerks, and panic attacks, but stuff has lingered. This includes a stretching or heavy feeling in my right calf and behind the knee or even my forearm, as well as general muscle soreness. Now it’s like I can’t hold my head up because the muscles in my neck are too weak. I also have had like a crawly or tickling zap in my feet every so often. Is this normal for anxiety or something I need to get checked out?

 

[matisworried]

the simple answer is that symptoms can last as long as you're anxious. the more complicated answer is that there is no concrete answer. even minor underlying anxiety can cause symptoms to linger - you don't need to be in full-blown panic mode.

 

[Cuchculan]

Oddly enough there is a certain form of anxiety were the symptoms are always there. Though very few people would have this form of anxiety. As long as you are aware of things going on in and around your body, something will always be there. Try and find something to do. Take you mind off of things.

 

[Loki83]

I have been trying, it’s easy to do at home, but my job slows down around the holidays. It’s basically me at my desk and a computer for nearly 8 hours a day until the new year and we get supplies. I’ve done really good with no googling but it’s very hard not to focus on sensation, especially a feeling of a weak neck and heavy head while at a computer so long haha.

 

[Cuchculan]

Maybe those feelings are from just sitting at a computer for that long. Not even play a game of cards on the computer? Is a long time to be just sitting there doing nothing at all.

 

[Loki83]

Yea, it’s basically just working with spreadsheets or literature searching all day. I have had a pinched nerve in my neck in the past diagnosed via MRI. It was due to poor posture and I was having tingling in my arms and other places (convinced myself it was MS of course). Especially after my pcp told me well ms is diagnosed around your age sometimes so let’s do an mri and check for that! I’ve since left her as my pcp haha.

 

[Cuchculan]

I agree with them doing tests. But I never agree with them coming out with such things about MS and the likes. If they want to look for that, they should look. But not tell the person. If they find something, then tell them. Find nothing, the patient is non the wiser. Saying something like that would make anybody worry. More so a person with HA and any other form of anxiety.