I Think My Body Is Overwhelmed From Too Much Anxiety

[BlackbirdSinging]

I was sitting on my bed this morning having a lot of distorted thoughts. I was starting to get angry and frustrated. And then I started to feel my anxiety go up.

My heart was pounding my hands started shaking and all of a sudden I felt my whole body get very warm. I started feeling very spacey and lightheaded. And I sat there staring for a minute. I was feeling like something was physically wrong with me and I started feeling like I was going to faint.

I laid back on my bed for a minute and it didn't seem to help. I sat up and thought maybe I should eat something so I made myself some scrambled eggs. I told my mom how I felt in case I did faint.

I know I restrict my eating with my borderline ED. And I know that I haven't gotten a lot of sleep lately. And I know next week in therapy my therapist and I are going to start processing my traumas. And I've recently had a couple of anniversaries go by.

I think the anxiety and the lack of sleep are causing some kind of exhaustion for my body and my system. It's making me worry that maybe I'm not ready to process my traumas yet.

Has anyone gone through anything like this before? What did you do to get through it? I'm really starting to worry about this.

 

[Hope4Now]

I used to have panic attacks and what you describe sounds like what they felt like. I ended up in the ER twice because I thought I was dying. Once I understood what they were I eventually learned how to breathe my way out of them when I could feel one coming on, and I knew I wasn't going to die from it. You might consider talking to your therapist about what happened and what strategies can help.

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

Once I understood what they were I eventually learned how to breathe my way out of them when I could feel one coming on, and I knew I wasn't going to die from it. You might consider talking to your therapist about what happened and what strategies can help.

Thank you for what you've said. I called my therapist and left her a message when I starting to calm down. I've had anxiety attacks before and I recognize that this was probably an anxiety attack too. It was weird though as it started because it was more sudden than before. And when I felt like I was going to faint in that moment I was thinking it was physical and not based in anxiety. Now that I'm more calm I understand that it was part of the anxiety attack.

The other part of it is the exhaustion I feel. Physically mentally and emotionally I feel an exhaustion I'm not sure I've felt quite like this before. I feel like I've done too much pushed too hard lost too much sleep and missed so much food. To the point that I feel depleted on almost every level. And that's exhausting too.

 

[Chava]

Yes, I've gone through that. Our bodies are directly connected to stress. If I'm tired, I'm more easily overwhelmed. Most of my panic occurs when I am in pain or exhausted.

The panic symptoms you describe, when I feel them, make laying down and trying to rest very difficult. But it sounds like you do need some rest. Can you find ways to lower the anxiety without trying to force your body to rest...but sort of help it in that direction? Eat something healthy then go for a little walk? Some gentle yoga with calming music?

I've recovered from anorexia but my body still suffers in some ways. It's really important to eat (easier said than done)...there's a funky connection to endorphins and blood sugar there too. I don't want to sound too simple, but even a glass of milk could be helpful (like, avoid sugars if you are leaning towards panic but exhausted). Take care of your body. I know the panic symptoms are scary. I have different varieties. But if I can take care of my body, it can cope with the stress a little better. I hope you are able to rest a little.

 

[KwanYingirl]

I get like that. I call it anticipatory anxiety . My hands get clammy, my heart is pounding, I feel faint. This intense anxiety happens when I am anticipating a stressful event. Driving over a tall bridge, seeing family, going to therapy or the dentist. I eventually calm down but have ended up in an ER twice because I couldn't drive.

I'm trying to practice mindfulness and relaxed breathing.

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

I have had periods of time when I get very dizzy and feel faint when having anxiety. It's been a while now. I started recognizing it for what it was and working through it. Eating a peppermint and sitting still for a little while when possible helped me a lot. It is all very exhausting. I hope you can figure out ways that will help you calm the anxiety.

 

[Chava]

I like the peppermint idea. If I start feeling panic while driving I have to blast the air conditioner at myself, full speed, coldest temp. And move my hands or wiggle my feet...the sensory sort of things so I stop swirling or feeling sucked under. I have meltdowns of a different variety and not so much panic attacks with the dizzy-hot-tingly-sick feelings, but sometimes I still get a bit of that when driving because my body gets so physically uncomfortable and I get waves of feeling trapped.

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

@Chava - Lifesaver peppermints are the ones I use. I have them stashed everywhere. I often eat one at the end of therapy sessions too in order to ground myself before I leave. It calms me just enough sometimes that I can then think of what I really need to do to help myself.

 

[Go Hungry]

Yeah, anxiety and mental stress can be very taxing physically. It can wear you out just like working a long day in the sun. I'm lucky.. I've found a way to breathe myself out of them most of the time, except I had a really bad one very recently. But it passed. It is something you can practice at, and develop skills and routines for dealing with them. Like @JEKBreatheandBelieve said about eating peppermint and sitting still. You can train your body to respond to certain routines and relax. It's just a matter of finding what works for you..

 

[risingsun]

I think the anxiety and the lack of sleep are causing some kind of exhaustion for my body and my system. It's making me worry that maybe I'm not ready to process my traumas yet.

I can definately relate Blackbirdsinging. This summer I suffered severe sleep deprivation as well as severe panic attacks. I have suffered from severe depressive episodes and severe anxiety but not full blown panic attacks. These were new to me. I did feel like I was going to faint. I even went to the hospital some months back because my arm went numb and my heart wouldn't stop racing. I am so so sorry you are feeling such anxiety. As for the sleep deprivation, that alone can make everything 10x worse. Remember, though, never listen to a tired mind. It will deceive you into depression.

Maybe now is the time to work on taking care of your physical being. Maybe get a good sleep hypnosis CD for bed. I am looking into that one. Maybe work on getting your anxiety in check by meditating to a CD upon first waking or even trying out yoga. Also, I know it can be very difficult but try to eat as well as you can right now.

I also think this is something you can work on in therapy next week; getting your anxiety in check and how to deal with it. I think that you need to build yourself back up before you start processing traumas right now.

My heart goes out to you. Stay Strong. This will pass. Keep the Faith, Rising Sun.

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

I've recovered from anorexia but my body still suffers in some ways. It's really important to eat (easier said than done)...there's a funky connection to endorphins and blood sugar there too. I don't want to sound too simple, but even a glass of milk could be helpful (like, avoid sugars if you are leaning towards panic but exhausted). Take care of your body. I know the panic symptoms are scary. I have different varieties. But if I can take care of my body, it can cope with the stress a little better. I hope you are able to rest a little.

I'm borderline anorexic and I have BDD or Body Dysmorphic Disorder. They're one more thing that during the day I get anxious about. I did take time and lay down. I had a cup of chamomile tea with lavender flowers in it. I've read that chamomile has a property in it that has similar effects as anti depressants. It did help a little to get rest.

I get like that. I call it anticipatory anxiety . My hands get clammy, my heart is pounding, I feel faint.

I get like that before things that stress me out too. What happened today was a little different because I wasn't about to do anything specific. It was just anxiety for the sake of anxiety and it was awful. That feeling you get when your heart starts pounding and your hands get shaky is such an awful feeling.

Eating a peppermint and sitting still for a little while when possible helped me a lot. It is all very exhausting. I hope you can figure out ways that will help you calm the anxiety.

After I read your post I looked up how peppermint can help anxiety. And then I went out and bought a big bag of the peppermints you said you use. And I bought a box of peppermint tea. I'm going to try the tea tomorrow. I usually don't like peppermint tea too much but if it's going to help me I'm going to drink it. Thank you for suggesting peppermint.

eating peppermint and sitting still. You can train your body to respond to certain routines and relax. It's just a matter of finding what works for you..

The exhaustion really gets me. And I lay around and try to rest. And then I feel like I've been lazy. I have to do it sometimes though. And it's like you said I have to find the things that work for me. I know some things that help when I can feel it starting. Today it just happened so suddenly.

I am so so sorry you are feeling such anxiety. As for the sleep deprivation, that alone can make everything 10x worse. Remember, though, never listen to a tired mind. It will deceive you into depression.

You said so many things that I really appreciated hearing. You're right about not listening to a tired mind. I guess sometimes part of the problem is I'm tired most of the time. And that kind of keeps the cycle going. Being tired getting anxious having an anxiety attack or even a flashback getting more tired avoiding sleep to avoid nightmares and then finally going to sleep. And then in the morning waking up tired. It makes it harder to not get into the distorted thoughts.

 

[anthony]

Has anyone gone through anything like this before? What did you do to get through it?

Yes... if my anxiety gets too out of control at any given time, I can get the shakes, feel nauseous, and well... quite a string of physical symptoms. Anxiety is mental, but IT DOES equate to physical symptoms. Brain controls the body...

I normally get warning signs such as recognising my own bad breath, chest pains... which is about the time I exercise or take some other action to calm myself, chill out and then when more relaxed, I look at whether there was a specific cause that needed my attention, or just good old PTSD saying hello.