Stress Center Peer Support

Over the last few months my anxiety has returned almost as bad as ever. I just can't seem to shake the worry and panic attacks. They are happening almost daily. Some of the most worrisome symptoms I've been having are, hating the feeling of being in my own body, feeling like I'm living in a constant fog (like the way cold medicine makes you feel), eyes wanting to jump around everywhere and not stay focused on one thing, static vision, the feeling like my body is shutting down (like a detached feeling)and just all around jittery and shaky. Anyone experience these? Could it be just from anxiety? I've been having them everyday for almost two months now, ever since a severe panic attack. I've been on 20mg of celexa for almost 5 years and up until recently has worked great. I have the program but haven't worked with it in over 4 years. I guess I'm just looking for some support or reassuring words.

It really sounds to me like you are very anxious and your body is responding as such. I have had similar symptoms -- the fog feeling is certainly normal; the detached feeling, too. I have had moments where it feels as if my eyeballs are all over the place, but they aren't, and I have felt jittery. After finally coming down from extreme anxiety and panic, I still get these sensations. I have found it perplexing because I feel mentally I am better, but physically my body is still all a flutter. My neck has been hurting on both sides (just simultaneously), my jaw has hurt, I get weird sensations when I am falling asleep (like my muscles want to stretch and when my mind focuses on it, I get a rush -- like a falling sensation in my chest -- and it feels as if I stop breathing for a second -- it's frightening!), and over the last couple of nights I have experienced nightmares. Over the course of the last several months I have had EKGs, blood work, a CAT scan of my brain and all comes back fine. Docs just tell me it's anxiety. Even my former shrink told me if I have any further sensations or symptoms, to recognize it as anxiety. I never realized how much it plays with you, and it is so hard to let go. Sure, right now I can do all the positive thinking I can, but my it just seems to keep coming back. I guess I have a lot of negative thinking going on without me realizing it. Anyway, although I am no doctor, and if this continues you may want to see one just for further reassurance, I feel you are going to be just fine. It is high anxiety and it bites and is hard to let go. Please keep me informed, ok?

BTW -- if you haven't already, check out <A HREF="http://www.anxietycentre.com" TARGET=_blank>www.anxietycentre.com</A>. It gives a list of an array of anxiety symptoms. It is the most comprehensive list I have found and I think it will make you feel better.

Go get your program out and start it again, and completely finish it. I bet you'll start feeling better soon. Whenever, I start feeling weird, or start having strange thoughts, etc., I get my program out again, it really does help get me back on track. Hope this helps you. Suzzie.