scared and wondering

catdr71 · Post by **catdr71** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:46 pm

hello everyone, i was just sitting here with my usual physical symptoms and some new ones and i was wondering, how will we know when we actually have something wrong with us that is serious and not just anxiety? i mean every time i have chest pain, blurred vision, heart racing, trouble breathing, tingling, neck pain, etc. i blame it on the anxiety but i dont understand how i will know how to differentiate real serious problems from anxiety symptoms. i dont take meds so im tired and scared all the time. im worried that when something serious does happen i will blow it off and say oh its just anxiety and it will really be something dredful. any words of wisdom for me? im extremely tired but wont let myself give up. thanx in advance for any advise you can share!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 5:37 pm

Hi-LOL this is exactly what I used to fear- I guess you have to only classify it as GAD and nothing else. If you have routine physicals, bloods drawn, EKG's etc, you should KNOW you're fine and it literally IS only the anxiety. The program really elaborates and talks about how adrenaline is released during the "Fight or Flight" time and we feel we need to survive etc. Your physical symptoms are merely anxiey. I am 24 years old living in NY. I suffererd from SEVERE anxiety during college and when my first boyfriend broke up with me. I thought I'd never get better. When you figure out what it is you have (anxiety for example) it makes it easier to break through the walls of fear and conquer this "BS". You can do it. Reassure yourself. Remember, you ARE your safe person. You are stronger than you think. If you were like me, you thought you were either going to end up in a mental institute OR dead by now...but you're not. Praise that and move forward. You can do it...Love & Light, Emily (24 from NY)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 1:41 am

Hi all,
I am feeling the same way. I am on the 4 th week of the program and also using their coaching feature which is very helpful. I am very scared of my body symptoms right now, and i dont' know if i should persue it further. I feel like i am very often light/heavy headed and off balance or "not walking on solid ground." I often feel as though my brain is floating inside my head. i have had all the check ups - even a Cat Scan,and i am wondering if i should go to a neurologist or stick with my the anxiety thing. So far, everyone around me, including all the doctors i have been to and the Stress coach, has told me it is 99% likely to be anxiety. anyone have similiar problems/symptoms?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 2:27 am

It's most likely symptoms of anxiety if you experience these symptoms while you are worrying
or upset.
If you are not sure you should get a physical exam so you can stop worrying about the symptoms.

Also try distracting yourself and then become aware that they usually go away when you are not thinking about them.

Also cutting back on caffiene and sugar also helps to calm your body down along with the
relaxation cd.
The chemicals that are released when we are anxious causes these symptoms-so it's important
to drink a lot of water & exercise.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 7:57 am

The program, cutting down on caffine and sugar, exercise, and my meds have all helped me this way. Fear of my physical symptoms was what scared me the most too. It took a physical and 3 visits to ERs in three weeks to finally start believing that anxiety was my problem. Once I got the program and talked with my doctor, this was pretty much confirmed.

I agree with everyone that's posted so far. Most likely, all you are having are symptoms from anxiety. If you really are still scared, get a physical so you can be at ease. Positve self-talk and relaxation have helped me so much. I have not had a panic attack in weeks, and rarely have the scary physcial symptoms anymore. When I do though, they don't last long.

Take care!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 3:58 pm

hi everyone, thanx so much for the replies and all the good advise. i started with this anxiety/panic disorder in october of 2006 and have had these horrible physical symptoms since. i havent touched caffeine (except in my dailey chocolate fix) since november 2006 and no alcohol since then either. i do have to get back into a good excercise routine, been slacking lately, but it just seems that even if im not anxious i have these physical symptoms. i think thats what makes me wonder if its the anxiety or something else that the doctors missed. ive had a full work up and been to the ER more times than you would beleive and everything has come back fine but something just makes me beleive that anxiety cant be the only reason for all these pains. i geuss i have alot of work to do still. im on session 7 in the program and still not over these scarey feelings. i hope i can find the courage to just beleive what the doctors say and start living my life again. good luck to all of you and thanx again for taking the time to reply. cathy

MEDCKristie27 · Post by **MEDCKristie27** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:04 pm

Wait, you're both vetrinarians?

Anyway, I thought by the miracle of 'magical thinking' that I was going to die at 26. It all started with things I'd rather not say, but I'm still here 6 years after.

If you've been checked for physical problems, then it's 99% for sure your anxiety/depression.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:15 pm

LOL MinnChad, you are to funny

. no i am not a vet but im pretty sure emilythevet is. sorry to hear that you went through the same thing im going through now but im glad to hear that it was only this ugly anxiety/depression. i wouldnt wish this disorder on my worst enemy (if i had one). take care, cathy

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:36 pm

It was hard for me to believe that my physical symptoms were from my anxiety, but when I finally kept on checking up on myself like someone else said about getting busy and see if you didn't have any symtoms, it was like a light bulb moment. And it needed to happen over and over in order for me to believit. This anxiety and depression can really make a person feel like crap and all sorts of different ways. Good luck to you-

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 5:28 am

I too went to the dr, the er and ever where else I could think of and kept getting the same answer nothing wrong--How could I feel like this and have nothing wrong?? Anxiety and depressin it can make you feel all sorts of things..I jsut ordered the program and I'm hoping that it helps me cuz I'm at my wits end