Does being sick affect your anxiety?

Kodiak44 · Post by **Kodiak44** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:13 am

I'm coming down with a cold and I feel like it's affecting my anxiety. I am feeling a bit jittery and on the verge of a panic attack. I'm sure it's from not feeling the best. Does anyone else get this problem when feeling under the weather?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:56 am

My anxiety goes through the roof when I get the funny feelings in my tummy!

In all seriousness, I am not so much driven down by colds as I am stomach flu's. I have a terrible fear of vomiting which I think started in 3rd grade. After getting sick once, I always feared getting sick.

When my own children or even my wife get sick to there stomachs I freak out. I almost do circles out of panic.

Totally messes me up!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:04 am

Yes, definitely:). Being sick makes everything worse. I know for me that when I am coming down with a cold, I actually feel more panicky then when I actually get the cold. When I finally get the cold, I realize why I felt so weird. We with anxiety are just very sensitive to changes in our body, and then we tell ourselves some negative things about those funny feelings. I woke up feeling dizzy this morning and didn't say anything. I figured it's the change in weather here, and I just felt funny. My husband then told me later that he felt dizzy, and that confirmed to me what was going on. He just didn't react with anxiety to it.

So yes, I bet there are many others on here too. I hope you feel better:).

Take Care,
luvpiggy

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:15 am

Yes it does!! I am currently recovering a cold virus that triggered and elevated anxiety/panic. From not being able to hear and getting dizzy form the draiange it sure did make me pull out the bottle of xanax. Then of course all the crazy negative thoughts came in with the cold...what if...what if...what...now the cold is getting better and so is the anxiety/panic. Now my husband has the same virus except his no anxiety/panic with it...hes just say's, Well I guess a cold is trying to come on oh well is there any airborne?"!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:18 am

I get very anxious when I get sick. Then the doctor put me on antibiotics and I swear I thought
I was getting all kinds of crazy side effects from
it by checking it out on the web.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:03 am

Oh yes. I am just getting over the cold and It makes me very anxious and depressed for that matter, your not alone

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:15 am

Yes, being sick definately can make you feel more anxious. I have hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, and newly diagnosed Sjogren's Syndrome(SS). The SS causes dry mouth and eyes so it makes me more anxious when I difficulty swallowing and eating. I'm learning to manage several chronic conditions along with my anxiety and panic. It's a minute by minute process. I really have to do positive self talk almost constantly. I am learning how to calm myself down and I do the breathing exercises alot. You are definately not alone.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:21 am

Being sick makes me super depressed to the point that I cry at the drop of a hat the whole time I'm sick. I hate it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:42 am

Thanks everyone,

I figured I wasn't the only one suffering through a cold. I don't eat as much when I'm sick, don't get much sleep at all and I'm sure that plays a part in my over-reacting to the way my body feels and that in turn sets off the anxiety. I can't take cold medicine that knocks you out to get more sleep, because after 3 or 4 hours, I'm wired and jittery and then can't sleep at all.

I can't wait for spring and summer to arrive for good. 40's and 50's just aren't good enough. Need the warmer weather to get outside more. That's sure to make everyone feel a bit better.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:25 pm

yes having a cold makes me go ocd about unblocking my nose.. i dont go to bed cause of it, duno why it just makes me anxious not being able to breathe through my nose lol