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Can anxiety cause physical symtoms even without having an anxiety attack?
I am finding that I am never well. I am 21 and I am suffering ever health conidition there is right now. I always have chest pains (been the emergancy room and nothing), tightness of the throat, lump in the throat, pain the the left arm, constant pins and needles.....the list goes on forvever! but I want to ask something, even without having an anxiety attack can these aches and pains still be present? I am only having all these anxiety attacks because I am in pain 24/7. Every anxiety illness, you name it I have got it. Doctors are fed up of me and I am really starting to get depressed, Ive tried to take my life twice now because I am always fearing I will have a heart attack or my illness has gone unnoticed and I will die!
This has ruined my relationship with my boyfriend because I am stressed all the time. I can no longer leave my home and I have no friends because people think am crazy! am i? is this all just anxiety related? This time last year I was about to leave college to become a law student, now I failed because I could not leave my home to turn to lessons...
Can someone please help me?
Thankyou all
This has ruined my relationship with my boyfriend because I am stressed all the time. I can no longer leave my home and I have no friends because people think am crazy! am i? is this all just anxiety related? This time last year I was about to leave college to become a law student, now I failed because I could not leave my home to turn to lessons...
Can someone please help me?
Thankyou all
I think it's a combination of muscle tightness. anxiety Causes muscles to tense and your bra size.
You are intelligent and probably are more I tune with your body than most. Just use your mind for positive things. My advice. When you feel anxious. Listen to some Steve winwood or upbeat Music. Also, maybe find a hobby so you aren't so preoccupied with yourself. Go back to school and get that degree! Job market is tough right. Take it from me a 32 year old! Maybe put on some pink Floyd and get in tune with gilmour guitar solo than in tune with your chest!
It literally feels like my chest feels numb, I cannot feel my boobs, but if I touch them I can? sounds crazy I know, also feels like a pressure on the chest all the time. My bra size is 36FF and I do not wear bra's so I think that could be it. xx
I woke up last year on my way to college, happy and fine then out of no-where.....chest tightness, it was so bad I was rushed to a&e (Accident and emergancy - Im british lol ER in America) and my ECK came back fine, x-rays and bloods so I just got on with it, then again it come back, then recentley my dog died and I was stressed and bamn! it came back again. What people dont understand is, yes I have anxiety but it is this pain/pressure that is causing me to have anxiety. Im now scared Im gonna have a heart attack...Im only 21 and healthy! Over the last 13 months my mind has gone mental and now I will not see the posotove in anything and I am convinced that I have a heart condition but it is unoticed. My doctor is fed up with me but I swere blind I really dont think that it is anxiety. No I left college so now I gave up my law degree :(I xx
I can actually help you. I had chest tightness in my early 20's too. Sharon, do you have allergies? Would you consider yourself a deep thinker? I bet you do pretty well with life in general. I personally think a lot of folks on here get bored with life. Our minds create things to fascinate us. Us who deal with this condition our typically highly conscious individuals and also tend to worry. I know I go through phases myself. And you get smart enough to notice the trends but sometimes it's hard to break bad habits. :). If you ever need my advice you can send messages to me. Sharon you are young, you have your whole life ahead of you. Take it from me, don't sweat the small ********. Get your business degree or do something in medical field. Save your money and enjoy your life. You will alright.
Thank the lord for that. I was really starting to think it was stroke related.....anxiety for you, always the negative
I just woke up one day and the chest tention was there, 13 months later its still here as I am writing this.
Thanks for all your help, it really does mean alot xx
I just woke up one day and the chest tention was there, 13 months later its still here as I am writing this.
Thanks for all your help, it really does mean alot xx
Yes the headache most definitely can be from anxiety. The muscle pain in the chest does take awhile to go away and if you have been anxious daily it will take even longer to relax the muscles. The tension that your body goes through daily is enough to make your muscles very sore and achy.
When all this first started (2006) the very first anxiety feeling (or so I think) was that nothing felt real, I questioned if anything I was seeing real, I didnt reconise myself, server memory loss.....was that anxiety? It happened for about a year and I literally whent crazy. Ive always wanted to know though was that anxiety? To summerize.....nothing feels real. xxx
So the crushing headaches may be anxiety? I thought I was having a stroke. Ive really tried love but nothing works. I just cannot calm down. This chest problem is 24/7. it doesnt go, get better or worst just the same xx
When your body goes through anxiety it goes through a tense state. All of your muscles tense and can become very sore and irritated. There hundreds of muscles in your body that are all connected by ligaments and tendons. The pain in your chest can be from the strain that happens to your body during anxiety from your tension. This is a very common symptom to have the pain in chest. The headaches are also VERY common with anxiety again from the tension that you have. Our bodies are miraculous tools. You have had all the tests and they do not reveal anything heart related so ease your mind that it is not from that. Try and take a nice hot relaxing bath and do some deep breathing. Stay positive..
But, my chest pains are very different, it is not painful but more like something is sitting on my chest, swelling of the sternum (brestbone), shortness of breath and this is when I am not having an anxiety related attack, and this is why my mind is racing. I admit I have suffered alot of the anxiety symtoms and now looking back I am like "wow, did anxiety really do that"'.
My chest pain is just somewhat different, I wake up with pins and needles left arm, crushing head pains, ache in arm and my chest feels so heavy. I dont think the doctors lie but they have not even looked, I had to attend a&e (ER) jsut to get some advice.
Just feel like this is rulling my life now, so scared all the time. I find it hard to think positive about anything, everything is just a negative all the time and alot of people are starting to pick up on it. I try to calm down but I just carnt.
Im 21, healthy, eat good foods and only weight 9 and a half stone soI carnt see why I would have a heart condition and there is nothing in the family history xx+-
My chest pain is just somewhat different, I wake up with pins and needles left arm, crushing head pains, ache in arm and my chest feels so heavy. I dont think the doctors lie but they have not even looked, I had to attend a&e (ER) jsut to get some advice.
Just feel like this is rulling my life now, so scared all the time. I find it hard to think positive about anything, everything is just a negative all the time and alot of people are starting to pick up on it. I try to calm down but I just carnt.
Im 21, healthy, eat good foods and only weight 9 and a half stone soI carnt see why I would have a heart condition and there is nothing in the family history xx+-
FYI, I used to be the same. Still am to a certain level.. Every little ache or pain I had I thought it was the end. I am a lot better, I still worry about some aches but I am better. It takes work, and I finally had to say to myself.. OK I HAVE ANXIETY I KNOW I THINK THE WORST. I NEED TO TRUST MY DOCTORS WHO ARE THINKING WITH A RATIONAL MIND... I couldn't believe all my pain in my body was coming from stress and anxiety, but after x-rays, ekgs, ultra sound, blood work, I really needed to pull my head out of my ...well ya know... and trust my doctors, and get on meds. which have also helped.
You need to believe your doctors and know it is just anxiety. They didn't go to 8-10 years of med school to lie to you about your health... Anxiety can cause everything you have listed! especially chest pain! stay of the internet looking for symptoms, that will only make things worse for you. think of it like this.... Are you going to believe doctors who actually ran tests on you... OR are you going to believe a random website that anybody could have made??... Many of us on here have been in your shoes... Are you on any medication? You can get your life back, it is going to take work, but you can do it. Positive thinking.
Think of anxiety like a piggy bank. The more you feed it the larger it gets. It loves the fear and the negative thoughts. One good way to help with your symptoms is to stop fighting it but embrace it. It is easy to be so worried over the symptoms that you have because they are so real and bothersome. Try this for a bit but you must really believe it for it to work. First accept that it is anxiety that is causing these symptoms. You have been to the doctors with a multitude of tests and you can ease your mind that it is not something serious or life threatening. When you feel the anxiety start to creep in and consume your thoughts and worry the say to yourself "I feel you I know you are there and its fine." Tell yourself its ok for the anxiety to come because you have had these feelings before and you did not have a heart attack. The more you feed the fear and stay afraid of it the more it will feed off of that and be a negative experience for you.
I am sorry to hear that therapy has not worked for you. Have you only been to one therapist? You have to find a therapist that works for you. It is possible that it didnt work for you because of the therapist. I would highly recommend seeking out another. Therapy is a WONDERFUL tool to help with anxiety. Also if you are not on any medications for anxiety you should truly see your doctor to get something. There are many different medications that are great for anxiety and panic attacks. Stay positive...
I am sorry to hear that therapy has not worked for you. Have you only been to one therapist? You have to find a therapist that works for you. It is possible that it didnt work for you because of the therapist. I would highly recommend seeking out another. Therapy is a WONDERFUL tool to help with anxiety. Also if you are not on any medications for anxiety you should truly see your doctor to get something. There are many different medications that are great for anxiety and panic attacks. Stay positive...
Awe it sounds like your having quite a rough time with anxiety and panic attacks. Your story is almost identical to mine! I started having panic attacks 2 years ago and since then, iv been to the doctors so many times they have pretty much written me off! I have had every symptom of anxiety, iv had feeling like my throats closing, tingling, numbness, severe dizziness, nausea and vomiting, chest pain, pain in left arm (and a lot of other places), derealization and so much more! It's hard to believe that it's just anxiety! I tried taking my life twice from this as well, because I feel as though I'm going to just slowly die from and illness no one knows about! I overdosed last week and ended up in the hospital and got admitted which sent my anxiety through the roof. And wen I got home my fiancé and I both got severe food poisoning and are just getting over that. With everything that's been going on I can't even sleep without having a panic attack! Believe me your not crazy, anxiety is the worst thing someone can have / go through. Try methods that are good for you when your in an anxious or panicky state. I have to lay down and breathe slowly through my nose and put through my mouth, and talk to God in the process, (He's true comfort). I also sometimes lay on a heating pad for warmth and have a cool cloth on my head. Also try snuggling up on the coach and putting in your favourite movie. With anxiety, it's also ok to sleep more than normal, we need it! I hope this helps a bit, you can do it! Just remember it's just anxiety and it can't kill you, this will pass, and you will have an amazing testimony when your through it.
I admit it does sound like GAD. Hopefully it is and nothing serious :) thanks for your help, means alot xx
Thanks for your comments, it is making me think now maybe this is anxiety related. This "med-help"is the only thing that keeps me going. Its good to know that other people have this and our able to relate. I dont feel as alone. Finally someone understands me. xxxx
Its like now. My boyfriend and me got a lovely hotel room for the night to relax and that. I got that scared in the room Ive ran downstairs to use the computer because it is the only thing that will calm me down. I whent into ER in November and I had an ECK, X ray and nothing, the doctor sat me down and said its just anxiety but I get all this when I am not having anxiety attacks hence this is why I am having anxiety because I carnt see how I could be possibley having all this. I was googling my symptoms a while ago and now I am convinced I have a heart conidition and I am going to die of a heart attack and now thansk to this this I have a massive phobia of havibnf a heart attacks. I really do need help. Everyday I just wanna end it because I just carnt cope anymore :( I dont want to die, I just want help xxxx
I whent to my doctors and they said because I have had panic attacks for 7 years it has got worst. Everyday is horrible. I know have depression, it was only yesterday my boyfriend had to wrestle pills off me because I tried to over-dose :( I really carnt take any more. I have pains and needles all the time in my left arm, short of breath, ache and pain in the left arm, chest pain, numbnes in breasts but if I touch them I can feel them??? I sound crazy I know but nothing woks hun. My life has become a nightmare, all my friends are out partying whilst I stay in bed having anxiety attacks. Doctors have told me that this just anxiety but its like I am refusing to believe it. Really feel lost. Yes I have been to theripy but it didnt help :( just wanna cry all the time because I am not normal xxxxxxxx
You are young to let go of your life so quick. You sound like there's no hope. and I can totally understand. Your confused, you are trying to find answers. right? you feel you won't get better, you feel hopeless, you don't feel normal anymore. you are not alone, I been there done that! First of all, you are fine. you are not going to die. TRUST ME!, 2nd there is hope. Is all on you. You need to understand where anxiety comes from, I know all this symptoms and anxieties have your mind blown, with confusion. But one tool is understanding where anxiety comes from, second learn how to manage ur anxiety, meaning you need to be up for a challenge, learn how to control ur anxieties. I myself was scared, confused. I went to get help. Since then continually been going to therapy, and im very satisfied with the results, I feel much alive and happy. So there's always light at the end of the tunnel. But to answer ur question about your symptoms. YES!!! All those symptoms are anxieties you DON'T need to have a panic attack to get those symptoms. oh and by the way, the more u freak out and get paranoid that ur going to die? The worst u make ur symptoms so the best way to kick ur anxieties is ignoring those symptoms. Oh please! make the bes effort to at least take walks around ur house or to the park. locking ur self inn, Won't help at all ur only getting worse. And DON'T lose hope. Get help.
No, you're not crazy. It sounds like you have generalized anxiety disorder, GAD for short. It's when you have anxiety either all the time or almost all of the time. You don't have to be having a panic attack to have the symptoms you're describing.
Have any of the Drs said this could possibly be GAD? Have they recommended you see a therapist? If not, I highly recommend you do. It can help you find out why you're having anxiety and also teach you coping skills.
Have any of the Drs said this could possibly be GAD? Have they recommended you see a therapist? If not, I highly recommend you do. It can help you find out why you're having anxiety and also teach you coping skills.
Anxiety is a magnified response of the normal fight or flight response that our body has to protect us from harm. All of the symptoms that you are listing sound like anxiety. When you become anxious it is common to not breathe properly and deplete your oxygen saturation. Your body will send your oxygen to your brain and vital organs to accommodate for the depletion of oxygen thus making your extremities tingly. One of the best ways to "beat" or manage anxiety is to not feed it. Face your fears head on and it will lessen the fear. If you have not seen your doctor for these symptoms I would suggest doing so. There are many medications and treatments for anxiety. Also it is VERY common to have symptoms even though you are not having "anxiety attacks" per say, Your body tenses with stress and anxiety and can lead to terrible muscle strain that can cause the pain and discomfort you are describing. Try relaxation breathing and exercise. Exercise is a wonderful way to release adrenalin. Stay positive
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Audrey1122 made an excellent analogy - anxiety does feed on itself if we don't interrupt it.
You say you've had a lot of medical tests done. One immediate technique you could try would be self-talk. Self-talk and coaching is HUGE for anxiety sufferers. You say you're afraid of having heart attacks. When you start to feel this anxiety, start talking. "This is anxiety. My heart is healthy. I know my heart is healthy because I had an EKG done & saw a doctor and they told me my heart is healthy. This is anxiety. It's no fun, but it's not going to hurt me." Starting this positive dialogue with yourself is one way to start retraining your brain from thinking the worst to looking at facts.
There are many wonderful resources available to help with anxiety. Good nutrition, drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeine, exercise, medication, therapy, etc. Many of us have found success with one, or a combo. of the above. I agree with Audrey1122 that therapy is key. I'm sorry you had a bad experience, that stinks. But, it took me 2 tries to find someone that I liked. Talk to someone you trust, look for resources to help you find someone you can connect with.
Some of us have also had good success with medication or alternative therapies. So that's something else to consider.
In the end, know you're not alone. There is life with managed anxiety! You're taking a brave first step by posting out here and asking for help - good for you! Keep reaching out, get the help you deserve. Hang in there! Let us know how you're doing.