I'm just wondering what other people experience as physical symptoms of anxiety, or if anyone can relate to this?
I'm finding it really hard lately to breathe normally. I feel like I keep needing to take in a really really deep breath, and when I try to take a deep breath it isn't satisfying. And when I have that sensation I can't yawn properly either - it's like it all gets 'stuck' rather than going all the way down. It doesn't 'hurt' as such, it's just uncomfortable.
I can breathe normally but I just feel like I need to take really deep breaths a lot and I can't do it. I looked it up on Google (as you do) and apparently it's a classic symptom of anxiety. I've had anxiety for years and years (mainly social anxiety, but just general anxiety too) and I've had a couple of 'panic attacks' (e.g. overbreathing, feelings of panic, etc etc) but this doesn't feel like a panic attack. I don't even feel anxious sometimes when I get it, although it's more of a problem when I start to notice it, which is why I'm guessing it's anxiety-related.
I know anxiety symptoms include shortness of breath, but I've never had many of the physical symptoms of anxiety before, usually I just get panic/fear/psychological symptoms etc, so I don't know what it feels like.
I'm quite stressed/anxious/tired in general at the moment. My mum's ill and I'm trying to be the positive one but it's hard trying to hide everything all the time at home, so I'm just wondering if it's a kind of 'build up' of stress and anxiety from trying to put on a positive act all the time. But I don't know.
I don't tend to get the breathing side of things but sometimes I do feel a bit like I have a tight chest.
For me, I feel very restless in my legs. I think the worst thing for me is that I feel very sick and I have a big phobia of being sick so this perpetuates the cycle. I get stomach ache and sometimes feel the need to use a loo quickly or stuff like that. Get dizziness as well. I think a lot of my symptoms happen though because my anxiety is mostly focused on sickness.
restless legs, tight stomach, i get shaky.... also, i do this weirdish thing where i hold my breath. which i haven't heard anyone else talk about, but its definately something that happens for me.
also can be headaches/body aches, sweating, dry mouth...
Last edited by PassedExpectations : 06-07-2011 at 04:55 AM.
this is my magical medicine cabinet. Left to right they contain: courage, hope, calmness, and strength.
The magical part: They NEVER run out, so borrow some any time you want.
I went through a stage lately of feeling very panicky and tearful and not able to breathe at times which I put down to exam stress since it has gone now.
Breathing/meditation type exercises can help. I used to breathe in for 4 seconds and then out for 4 seconds. Or lie on my back in bed and imagine I was sinking into sand, or just gradually disappearing and it helps you to relax.
Usually the first thing that I notice is a kind of nauseous feeling in the pit of my stomach. Like butterflies but more intense. If my anxiety is not so bad, then that is usually my only physical symptom alongside the usual psychological ones of anxiety, wanting to escape the situation etc.
If my anxiety is worse, or for example I am having a panic attack, then I feel extremely short of breath. Sometimes I end up almost panting or gasping for air. My head goes tight, like there is pressure inside my skull. Then I feel like I am experiencing sensory overload. Everything is too much. Too much noise, too much light, too much sensation. My vision goes a bit funny and I get this weird lagging/derealisation thing where it's like the world is moving three seconds too late and nothing is quite real. And all of my muscles tense up and cramp. Sometimes it gets so bad I get full body tremors.
If I catch it early, I can make the anxiety go with breathing exercises or by distracting myself with music etc. Though some situations I cannot do that in, or sometimes I wake up violently in the middle of a panic attack, and the only thing I can do is take diazepam and go back to sleep.
Thankfully this is now a rare occurance.
Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different…
you once called your brain a hard drive, well say hello to the virus.
yes :) My anxiety is really bad at the moment as well. I usually end up breathing too fast, shallow breaths or i literally just can't take a breath, when that happens usually if someone shouts at me or something it shocks me into taking a breathe, pretty weird! Also so fidgety I have to be constantly twitching my toes/legs/moving my ankles etc. My heart beats too fast. I feel very nauseous. I get light headed and dizzy, occasionally pass out. So what you're getting is definitely normal for someone suffering anxiety. Some meds can help.
Last edited by musicmad123 : 06-07-2011 at 04:22 PM.
Reason: forgot something
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Thanks for the replies, it's quite helpful to read other people's experiences and to know people can relate.
I had a panic attack or something when I went kickboxing last night, so I think I'm just having a bad phase with anxiety at the moment. I don't even know why I panicked, I wasn't consciously anxious about anything in particular. Our coach helped me to get it under control though, and making an effort to breathe normally does seem to help.
I think I need to learn how to relax and distract myself sometimes though.
When i'm having a panic attack i get these symptoms:
-panting/shortness of breath
-racing heartbeat
-"twisting" stomach (kind of like butterflies)
-i always cry
-can't really move. just sit there.
