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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
anxiety
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
anxiety
by Susan, May 01, 2000 12:00AM
Hello... I am a 25 y.o. female with a history of panic attacks and general anxiety. I've had panic attacks intermittently since about 18 or so, and have had a fair number of muscle twitches (I always thought of them as tics, but after looking in several medical dictionaries/websites, I think they're more properly called fasciculations).
The past six weeks have been tremendously stressful--my husband's best friend died suddenly--and I've had more problems than usual with panic. I've also noticed, in addition to lots of these random muscle twitches all over my body, a new, more subtle sort of muscle twitch--it feels like a buzzing sensation. It's been happening off and on in my left foot for the past 2 weeks--and sometimes in my other foot and my hands.
What I've read so far seems to indicate that these sorts of symptoms can be caused by anxiety and panic. Of course, being prone to anxiety, I immediately became convinced that I have MS. My vision has been okay--no evidence of weakness in muscles, falling down, etc.
Obviously you can't tell me that I don't have MS. My question is--can this really be caused by anxiety/panic? I seem to be quite talented at "symptom-shifting..." I was really worried about the "big" muscle twitches for a few weeks, but when I convinced myself that they were most likely due to anxiety and not some exotic disease, they basically went away and this buzzing business started.
Thank you for your time. I feel ridiculous, but this has really been bothering me and I can't seem to just talk myself out of it.
The past six weeks have been tremendously stressful--my husband's best friend died suddenly--and I've had more problems than usual with panic. I've also noticed, in addition to lots of these random muscle twitches all over my body, a new, more subtle sort of muscle twitch--it feels like a buzzing sensation. It's been happening off and on in my left foot for the past 2 weeks--and sometimes in my other foot and my hands.
What I've read so far seems to indicate that these sorts of symptoms can be caused by anxiety and panic. Of course, being prone to anxiety, I immediately became convinced that I have MS. My vision has been okay--no evidence of weakness in muscles, falling down, etc.
Obviously you can't tell me that I don't have MS. My question is--can this really be caused by anxiety/panic? I seem to be quite talented at "symptom-shifting..." I was really worried about the "big" muscle twitches for a few weeks, but when I convinced myself that they were most likely due to anxiety and not some exotic disease, they basically went away and this buzzing business started.
Thank you for your time. I feel ridiculous, but this has really been bothering me and I can't seem to just talk myself out of it.
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS-M.D.-HG, May 04, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Susan
People with anxiety disorders can suffer from a variety of symptoms. For example: diarrhea, dizziness, hypertension, palpitations, restlessness, tremors, tingling in the extremities, upset stomach, urinary frequency and several others. Given the fact that you are under stress lately , your anxiety can be worsened .Anxiety can cause muscle twitching in some people. I am not sure whether you are on any medications. I would recommend that you consult a psychiatrist for a comprehensive evaluation. A combination of medications and psychotherapy are proven to be very effective in the treatment of anxiety/panic disorders.
If your muscle twitches bothers you to an extent that they impair your functioning, I would recommend that you consult your physician for a complete physical examination to rule out any medical reasons for your symptoms.
People with anxiety disorders can suffer from a variety of symptoms. For example: diarrhea, dizziness, hypertension, palpitations, restlessness, tremors, tingling in the extremities, upset stomach, urinary frequency and several others. Given the fact that you are under stress lately , your anxiety can be worsened .Anxiety can cause muscle twitching in some people. I am not sure whether you are on any medications. I would recommend that you consult a psychiatrist for a comprehensive evaluation. A combination of medications and psychotherapy are proven to be very effective in the treatment of anxiety/panic disorders.
If your muscle twitches bothers you to an extent that they impair your functioning, I would recommend that you consult your physician for a complete physical examination to rule out any medical reasons for your symptoms.
Wow you and I sound similair, my anxiety began mainly after the birth of my baby and not much rest. It started with a buzzing in the leg, then I had blurry vision, DX was farsightedness. Anyhow MS terrified me and went to my Dr who said yep can very well be MS and did an MRI, the week I had to wait for the results I thought I was going to die, numbness, tingling all over for days on end.. burning skin, etc. It came back normal and my Dr said to make me feel better see a neuro. I did and he said MS very unlikely. He did other MS testing and some blood work, all normal. I even went to the Clev clinic where he said it was most likely anxiety related and not neurological. I am even more numb now you would think I'd be relieved. Its on the top of my foot, and was in my entire face. I have been twitching for almost 2 mos now, not weak or anything just twitching. It all started around the MS scare and its not going away. I seek counsil from a therapist tomorrow, I hope he can give me something to help. Your not alone!!! Feel free to email at ***@**** if you need someone to talk to.