What sort of Physical Symptoms do you get?

[FearSucks]

We all know Panic attacks and Anxiety disorders affect us in different ways, but I'm curious to know what are some of the physical symptoms do you guys get during the attacks?

For example, A couple of big ones for me:

-I feel like my movements get more rigid and stiff almost like my body can't/doesn't want to move like normal, could maybe attribute this to tension? I remember taking a Xanax once when I had a really bad episode, and I was really shocked how fluid my movements became 30 minutes after taking it, it was night/day.
-My throat tightens and it feels difficult to swallow (It actually isn't).
-Feels like I am breathing through a straw.
-Weird sensory problems such as tingles, numbness, burning feet soles.
-I become so tongue-tied that even simple words sometimes trip me up.

Of course it's not an exhaustive list, but these are some of the big ones. What have you guys gone through?

 

[MATD]

Actually, I wouldn’t want to share my symptoms unless it is to assure someone that their symptoms are normal. Folks with anxiety are highly susceptible to even the thought of a new symptom, and this can exacerbate their anxiety creating heightened watchfulness/constant scanning to see if they have any new symptoms. TMI.

 

[FearSucks]

Actually, I wouldn’t want to share my symptoms unless it is to assure someone that their symptoms are normal.

This is sorta what I'm attempting to do with this thread. Sometimes talking about things people highly suspect to be Anxiety symptoms can be therapeutic. Granted, nobody should ever seek reassurance with this disorder because it sorta becomes an addiction in its own right. But in a way I wanted this thread to be like: I wonder if anyone else has gone through something like this, and they could find it here, could assuage the panic even if it's only a little. But I understand the point you're coming from too.

Speaking personally, I know it's always helped me to see threads where people discuss what they're going through in a more open/honest way, simply because I feel less like I am alone, and in a way that helps me get through the worst of it.

 

[MATD]

I don’t have a problem on an individual basis, but as a person who has had debilitating anxiety, I know what folks can do. Most are googlers, always looking for symptoms to diseases and can easily take on symptoms in a heartbeat. Been there myself a time or two. If I was to list a symptom that someone else never heard of, it would be just like googling, they would start searching themselves for the same symptom. Creating more stress and worry. An ounce of prevention saves a pound of cure. Nothing personal by the way, it’s just my opinion.

 

[Danny1001]

Lightheadness is mine all day long nightmare feel off balance


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[E.B]

We all know Panic attacks and Anxiety disorders affect us in different ways, but I'm curious to know what are some of the physical symptoms do you guys get during the attacks?

For example, A couple of big ones for me:

-I feel like my movements get more rigid and stiff almost like my body can't/doesn't want to move like normal, could maybe attribute this to tension? I remember taking a Xanax once when I had a really bad episode, and I was really shocked how fluid my movements became 30 minutes after taking it, it was night/day.
-My throat tightens and it feels difficult to swallow (It actually isn't).
-Feels like I am breathing through a straw.
-Weird sensory problems such as tingles, numbness, burning feet soles.
-I become so tongue-tied that even simple words sometimes trip me up.

Of course it's not an exhaustive list, but these are some of the big ones. What have you guys gone through?

Your first symptom that is mentioned has always been my biggest symptom especially when panic attacks are happening. My legs feel like they aren't going to move so I have to keep walking and walking during the panic attack. Unreal what anxiety can create.

 

[Watermelon]

I think sharing symptoms is a little bit of a trigger as I personally can feel things after I’ve been told about them!!!!

 

[FearSucks]

I think sharing symptoms is a little bit of a trigger as I personally can feel things after I’ve been told about them!!!!

No worries, there is certainly no pressure.

Your first symptom that is mentioned has always been my biggest symptom especially when panic attacks are happening. My legs feel like they aren't going to move so I have to keep walking and walking during the panic attack. Unreal what anxiety can create.

I agree, and I was wondering if maybe someone has ever gotten that one before other than myself. It can be scary, but knowing its anxiety can create a lot of relief (just not in the moment).

 

[triceps]

One time I had to go to the clinic as I was having such a hard time walking. While in the clinic I had to use the hallway wall for support while my wife supported me by holding my arm on the other side. I have GAD and am generally not a sufferer of health anxiety. But this particular morning I went through all of the paranoid thinking of MS, ALS and other neurological fears because of a basic inability to walk. My doctor assured me that my anxiety was the cause of these severe physical symptoms in spite of my assurances that these symptoms were far beyond what anxiety could cause. By the afternoon I was walking normally, completely in shock by the improvement. My message is that anxiety has no boundaries to its' effectiveness in causing physical symptoms in us. The symptoms I experience when I have a panic attack mimic those of having a heart attack with the pain and sweating, nausea and claminess. When I am having a panic attack I have learned to keep telling myself in spite of the symptoms, that it's just a panic attack and I will survive it just fine. That really helps me and probably shortens the distress.

 

[E.B]

Yup i remember one time when i was having panic attacks basically every day, i was doing my walking during my panic attack and said there is no way this is just anxiety...and guess what it was. That time was a terrible season for me, i experienced things i never thought i would due to anxiety. I would wake up with a panic attack constantly, legs would shake and would be cold, and it truly felt like I would not be able to walk and i kept walking and walking until the panic attack was over.

 

[DannyC0510]

Man, my anxiety morphs by the day. The moment I start to feel normal again, my brain says "Not so fast, here's what youre gonna worry about today." Then boom, something new. I had a massive panic attack after years of not having one a couple weeks ago. Unbelievably dizzy, sweating like crazy, eye floaters (which I have pretty much all the time because of my anxiety), blurred vision, ears ringing more than usual (I have tinnitus), nausea, racing pounding heart, weakness, shaking uncontrollably, the list went on and on. I went to the hospital that's only a couple hundred feet from my house and went through the whole process. EKG, complete blood count, liver and kidney function, thyroid, even an osmolality test to determine if I had an incredibly rare disease since I was drinking so much water at the time, and other tests. Everything came back 100% fine. My panic disorders back in full swing and its been hell convincing myself I'm okay.

Weakness is gone, all cardiac symptoms are gone, I only deal with dizziness when I'm very anxious, but NOW my brain is making sure I stay anxious by giving me slightly blurred vision all the time, random little muscle twitches, weird eye glare and other artifacts. As I've seen other people say on here, you name it, you got it. Your brain can be your worst enemy without a doubt sometimes.

 

[FearSucks]

Man, my anxiety morphs by the day. The moment I start to feel normal again, my brain says "Not so fast, here's what youre gonna worry about today." Then boom, something new. I had a massive panic attack after years of not having one a couple weeks ago. Unbelievably dizzy, sweating like crazy, eye floaters (which I have pretty much all the time because of my anxiety), blurred vision, ears ringing more than usual (I have tinnitus), nausea, racing pounding heart, weakness, shaking uncontrollably, the list went on and on. I went to the hospital that's only a couple hundred feet from my house and went through the whole process. EKG, complete blood count, liver and kidney function, thyroid, even an osmolality test to determine if I had an incredibly rare disease since I was drinking so much water at the time, and other tests. Everything came back 100% fine. My panic disorders back in full swing and its been hell convincing myself I'm okay.

Weakness is gone, all cardiac symptoms are gone, I only deal with dizziness when I'm very anxious, but NOW my brain is making sure I stay anxious by giving me slightly blurred vision all the time, random little muscle twitches, weird eye glare and other artifacts. As I've seen other people say on here, you name it, you got it. Your brain can be your worst enemy without a doubt sometimes.

It's true, I watched a documentary about Ray Charles, and ended up being worried I had Glaucoma for about a month. The brain is very susceptible to suggestion, and the unconscious mind is something you can't really control all that well.

 

[Jonathan123]

We all know Panic attacks and Anxiety disorders affect us in different ways, but I'm curious to know what are some of the physical symptoms do you guys get during the attacks?

For example, A couple of big ones for me:

-I feel like my movements get more rigid and stiff almost like my body can't/doesn't want to move like normal, could maybe attribute this to tension? I remember taking a Xanax once when I had a really bad episode, and I was really shocked how fluid my movements became 30 minutes after taking it, it was night/day.
-My throat tightens and it feels difficult to swallow (It actually isn't).
-Feels like I am breathing through a straw.
-Weird sensory problems such as tingles, numbness, burning feet soles.
-I become so tongue-tied that even simple words sometimes trip me up.

Of course it's not an exhaustive list, but these are some of the big ones. What have you guys gone through?

Look up 'The 100 symptoms of anxiety'. I could add more to that list. Every symptom you mention can be anxiety. If you have been checked out and told 'it's only nerves' then believe them. But the symptoms have to be in your mind for them to manifest in your body. That's why Googling symptoms is so dangerous in anxiety. It plants thoughts and ideas, mostly negative ones, in your mind. This is all fertile ground for anxiety to flourish. When I had GAD I had the lot. I had every disease known to man and a few unknown ones!!!!. There is no end to Mr. Anxieties box of tricks, and we fall for his antics every time. But when in an anxiety state we are so vulnerable to suggestion. Acceptance is still the answer, however difficult it may seem.

 

[Mrcasual]

The amount of symptoms that I’ve had over the past 22+ years I’ve had suffered from anxiety I won’t even have enough time to write it all. Sucks but true. The crappy thing is about all the symptoms of anxiety can mimic any other serious disease and that’s the reality.We always think it’s the latter the best thing to do is maintain a relationship with your doctor get a test done and that’ll give you some sense of relief even though it will be little and not forever some peace of mind can do you good .

 

[Sweet T]

You honestly can’t fight it. Don’t try. Can you just ride the wave and accept the physical symptoms are anxiety? Maybe a walk would help. That helps me sometimes. Other times I just have to wait it out. I tell myself that anxiety symptoms don’t stick around forever and that’s can help sometimes.

Other times I watch a comedian like Ricky Gervais. Someone who makes me laugh out loud.

Best of luck