Anxiety,panic attack and stomach problem

[SMU]

Dear Dr.

I am suffering from huge amount of anxiety, depression, mood swing and panic (for no reason I worry so much). Now a day I feel very awkward in social gathering. Sometimes I am feeling like getting panic attacks,means sweating a lot, no sleep at all, shortness of breath, dry mouth, gas, high heart beat, fullness after meal,very fatigue and huge amount of head ache. Mostly it happens in night and winter season.I feel very down and do not feel to go out or call friends and relatives and even hesitate to take call from friends and family members. I think for that only I am getting stomach upset. I get pain in abdomen, fullness after meal, gas, indigestion (with out any obvious cause), constipation and urge to pass stool. While I am in tension or anxiety, this symptoms increases many fold. Almost 3 yrs. back I lost one of my close family member in cancer, and that came to me as a shock for me. After that only I started getting symptoms of anxiety and panic (always worried to pick up a phone call from my home!!!!.....I stay alone for my job) and stomach upset symptoms. Other wise I am OK in health. Height 5ft 7 inch. Weight 61 kg and no alcohol and drug abuse. Kindly suggest why it is happening?

[SMU]

Thanks for all your reply. Actually previously I used to believe that I am having stomach problem only!!!!!!! Anxiety and panic attack I have never taken seriously. I have visited several GI specialist,but other than non alcoholic fatty liver,no other problem they are able to find. Now I am quite sure that all the GI disorders happening due to anxiety and panic attack. I can remember that before the anxiety or panic, I was never having any kind of GI symptoms. I am single male (age 27)  and stay away from my home for my work. Once in a six month only I visit to my home. I feel so lonely at my work place. I am very conservative in nature.......thousands miles away from alcohol.....drugs and girls. I will go to doctor for anxiety and panic attack soon. Hope every thing will be fine......and my family members will consider me as a human not robot!!!! ( no feeling for others)

[littlegirllost533]

im no expert,but your problem sounds just like mine.sounds like me,you might suffer from social anxiety disorder which made worse in the winter months(seasonal anxiety disorder).or was it winter when u lost your relative,that could be why its at its peak that time of year.mine also was triggered by a traumatic death of a loved one and only now 6 years on i am starting to get help.you MUST see a doctor,social anxiety and all other kinds of anxiety are a lot more common than you think.you should tell your friends and family,as awkward as you may feel,but it will help you to be around them more and i bet a few of them let you know they have suffered some form of anxiety.social anxiety is all about the way we think+worry about everything.stomach problems are also linked to anxiety and would be well worth getting checked for iritable bowel syndrome.when anxiety occurs the 'fight or flight'response is triggered,but you need to make yourself fight and face the anxiety,not avoid the world.there is help out there-counciling,cognative behavioural therepy(very good4anxiety) and if really needed medication.i currently am on propanalol,which helps me a lot,but only masks the problems does NOT cure it.i really know how your feeling+like you i have just about housebound myself before,not answering phone+even lockin door+hiding if someone knocks.hiding away is just going to make it worse.Get out+mingle a bit with friends and family,they are not going to judge you for what your suffering-trust me,i have some difficult in laws,but even they accept+understand+just want to suport.
I really needed a haircut last week,after hanging up 3times i finally made an appointment.drove there,but dern't go in so came back home.i knew i had to face the fear+made myself go back,on the way there i was nearly sick with anxiety,cryed a bit about how silly i felt but how bad the anxiety i was.but then i went in sat down+yes i was a wreck but it wasn't as bad as my mind had convinced me.i went with the flow of the anxiety+i faced it,got my lovely new haircut+was proud that the simple for some trip to hairdressers was another step to getting myself better.
i am now looking at myself again as a strong 28 year old mummy of 2 rather than im only 28+an absolute wreck,just existing.
take your steps,get out+get help

[Devonlee]

I suffer some of the same issues as you especially the stomach one and anxiety and panic feelings. I am trying to figure it all out now. I too lost a family member (my mom ) to cancer almost two years ago and no one even knew she had it! Anyway, it definitly can be anxiety and all the physical symptoms it can cause. If you have a good dr go to see him/her. Keep busy....that helps me a lot. MAKE yourself go out and do things and talk to people. At first it is horrible because all u can think about is your anxiety and stomach pain etc. but it slowly gets better. I have an appoinment to see a therapist on friday so Im hoping that helps out. My dr was no help and basically told me to stop smoking and no anxiety meds cause they are addicting. Im sure they are but since I have never been on them they may work for me. Anyway, I am thinking of finding a new dr. Well, good luck and hope u find some peace....