Topic: what physical feelings of anxiety do you get?

Hi i myself reading your post ,have most of your symptoms aswell.When ive had a day of high anxiety the following days are usually days where i feel so tired to .i feel anxious at times for no reason and then the vicious circle of anxiety takes over . i see professionals for this ,im trying mindfullness its hard to train myself but i keep at it .i find walking the pool helps me .yes i love the good days when anxiety has gone then the days its there yes it can be very challenging .One thing that may help is what i was told by dr ,is stay in the moment right now .dont look back what happened few hours ago or dont look ahead to the next day .whats in the moment right now im safe and nothing has happened .i keep telling myself this when anxiety panic attack is happening .i wish you well and i understand how you feel .

I’ve been experiencing similar symptoms. I’ve always had anxiety but never physical symptoms until about 3 weeks ago I had smoke some drugs as a birthday celebration and all was good but then I got this tingle on my face which turned into this unexplainable feeling that went down through my jaw and neck into my chest and I instantly stood up and was pretty much in shock thinking I’m having a heart attack so I called an ambulance and they said it was simply anxiety. I was good for the next 5 days except for some chest discomfort then again it happened and I couldn’t wrap my head around it being anxiety so I called 000 again back in hospital and once again anxiety. They ran echocardiograms and found my heart was completely healthy so sent me home. I felt weird since then like chest discomfort numbness and weakness in my arms and hands mostly on the left side. And since then I had 2 days where I felt completely fine and normal then it’s happened again but I just took deep breathes and reassured my self I wasn’t dying and went back to just having some chest discomfort and weakness I have had blood tests including for my thyroid they’re all clear. This past week though I’ve been having a burning feeling on the left side of my chest that pops up maybe twice daily and this burning feeling on my forehead which I assume is me perceiving the wind from my ceiling fan incorrectly and I’ve also had constant migraines, headaches and fatigue and when that mixes with the random rushes of dizziness and shortness of breathe from chest tightness I always think I’m having a heart attack or a stroke which then worsens the symptoms. I’ve been watching John Peterson and this person called the anxiety guy on YouTube and they have helped a bit. By the way have seen some people mentioning being scared of it happening outside and I believe that could be related to agoraphobia which is: The Fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness or embarrassment.
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder that often develops after one or more panic attacks.

I would appreciate if anyone else has experienced the burning sensations as it’s truely terrifying.

Here is a list of all the symptoms I have experienced over the past 3 weeks. I’ve been keeping a diary to show the doctor if need be.

Palpitations
Elevated heart rate
Light headed
Dizziness
Bit of vertigo
Random burning sensations in chest and forehead
Sharp chest pains mostly left sided
Headaches/migraines
Hot and cold flashes
Weakness in arms and hands mostly on left side
Some weakness in legs but nothing that stops me from walking
Random pains all around body including ribs and abdomen
Joint pains
Muscle tension
Pressure in left eye
Eye irritation
Some pins and needles here and there
Chest tightness and breathing difficulty
Heart flutters on the verge of falling asleep I assume from stopping breathing
Loss of appetite that later leads to increased appetite
Clouded thoughts or inability to think straight
Occasional ball in throat feeling
Constant fatigue
Tingles/shivers
Trembling/shaking


Note some symptoms are only when having an actual attack the rest are just there and come and go quite frequently.


Symptoms have persisted for 3 weeks


All typically resolved by deep breathing and a walk
Nicotine and caffeine sometimes can trigger but definitely not all the time

I've just signed up as a BB member and this is my first post on here, thanks everyone for your replies below and talking about your experiences. Reading about others' experiences with anxiety is making me feel less alone!

The physical symptoms I experience are wide-ranging and can include:

• Heart and chest pain, heart beating really fast, and feeling like I'm going to have a heart attack (which has led me to the emergency room a couple of times despite me not realising it's anxiety).
• Bad sweating and clammy hands
• A really red face whenever I'm in most social situations. I can't help myself from flushing so I wear makeup a lot for that reason, even though I don't really like wearing it.
• Shaking and tremors. I used to work in retail and customers always used to comment on this and make jokes about it, saying I looked like I'd had too much caffeine- embarrassing!
• Clumsiness. Tripping over and dropping things.
• Mind fog and forgetfulness- whenever I've had to do public speaking I'll either forget what I'm meant to say or I'll forget what I've said immediately afterwards
• If I'm having a panic attack, I often start hyperventilating.

I hope this helps anyone experiencing similar symptoms. Before reading these posts I didn't realise how different anxiety can be for each individual!

Mine are these:

- Laboured breathing, often a precursor to a panic attack

- Feeling of iciness throughout my body, especially my abdomen

- Nausea (making it difficult to eat - lost 9kg this year this way)

- Inability to take deep breaths

More voluntary things I do when I am having an anxiety attack:

- Click my fingers, typically near my head

- Pull down on my hair or pull hair at roots

- Shake my head

- Rock back and forth

- Beat hands on head if my thoughts are flurrying too overwhelmingly

I have the exact symptoms good to know I am not alone

thanks for sharing

First time posting feeling anxious about sharing but here I go. I have lived with anxiety for as long as I can remember and I have seen professionals for help in the past which did help. The last 4 years I have been really struggling since I had my workplace accident. I have had 3 spinal surgery's the last one was Feb this year for a spinal fusion. I have had ongoing chronic pain since the accident which lead to subscribed heavy pain killers which I have since discovered I have an intolerance for and had a serve reaction to one specifically. It lead to a seizure and I had passed out with my eyes open. I remember feeling sick in the stomach,dizzy and like a wave had come over me followed by a high pitch noise in my ear but only on one side. My heart was racing and I was sweating like I has just got out the shower. I was shivering but felt hot around my head neck and face. I remember calling out to my partner during the night from the bathroom because I felt like I was going to pass out then the next thing he is in front of me freaking out calling my name like I had been unresponsive. I was taken to hospital and admitted for the day for monitoring but was fine later that day just felt exhausted and weak. The experience scared me so badly I have panic attacks when ever I get any of the same symptoms and it just gets out of control and I feel like im having a heart attack. I find I panic before I even go to bed and have trouble sleeping because my heart is racing and I sweat right through my clothes and sheets.

Hi,

I get this all the time especially when having conversations and it gets frustrating at times out of frustration I throw things. I find myself lost in a conversation forgetting what I was saying or what I was about to say. Does anyone have a plan or technique to avoid looking stupid or acting out?

Update on my anxiety attacks. The past few days have been really good in fact after I read some other people’s stories and symptoms and posted my own I felt a feeling of comfort like I’m not alone in this. But just a couple hours ago out of no where my face started getting burning sensations and I got really hot then the palpitations started but it’s like one non stop palpitation so I took some slow deep breathes and it resided. Then I got chest aches and my legs and arms got really weak specifically on the left side so I went and walked it off and did some headspace meditations. It’s scary when I feel any symptom of it although most I can come to terms with and get over them but the burning sensation on the chest, cheeks and eyebrows is the scariest by far.

Hello everyone, first time posting here. I've had constant anxiety and panic attacks for about 18 months now. My first panic attack was just over 2 years ago and took me to Emergency. It was one of the most frightening nights of my life. It didn't really bother me until I had a second major panic attack on an international flight in April last year. I always loved travelling, this was a crushing blow. I had a major period of stress at work and probably always had anxiety in some way, but the physical symptoms began to manifest in major and frightening ways that actually changed my life.

Since then, my body and mind have never been the same. Despite the physical setbacks which I outline below, I've learnt a lot about myself and appreciate the little things, even if I'm not smiling much. I've been through many tests, doctors have never been able to figure out anything physically wrong except occasional high BP.

Frequent symptoms (at least once everyday):

- Chest pain, lower rib pains, occasionally stabbing, dull burning chest pains (by far the most frequent and annoying symptom)
- Shaking
- Feeling of disassociation
- Fast, hard heartbeat
- Hot flushes
- Extreme fatigue and exhaustion (massive for me)

Non-frequent symptoms (come and go):

- Palpitations (I had palpitations for basically 2 or 3 months straight late last year, thankfully they are not nearly as bad now)
- Headaches (I had a stabbing headache for 4-5 days a few months ago that magically went away)
- Forgetfulness, inability to articulate words as before
- Muscle twitches/spasms, in all parts of the body. The most recent twitching part is the left side of my left hand. This has largely gone now. I have had twitches all over my legs, arms, back, chest, absolutely anywhere
- Feeling of falling into an 'abyss' when falling asleep or out walking

I avoid overly sugary or fatty foods but still have a cup of coffee almost everyday and some beers occasionally - sorry anxiety but you are not going to take those away from me. High % alcohol drinks on the other hand are Russian Roulette these days, probably for the best though.

I no longer am able to go the gym, but I do walk daily which helps so much. In 18 months I've probably had maybe 4-5 weeks in which I've felt quite good. I've tried a lot of things. It's been a bloody long, hard road, but one I am committed to going down further and beating this thing.

I've read here from time to time recently so it's nice to finally contribute, we are not alone.

Hi, I actually just put a post up wondering the same thing about the burning sensation.

At the moment I have a constant feeling of burning sensation in my chest and also in my neck and back and its been happening on the left side a lot so I instantly think it’s a heart attack! It happened earlier tonight & again is happening now. It’s horrible but I am glad I have found someone who is experiencing the same thing as me.

Hi Rach93 & bluemoonbluesky.

yes quite a common symptom the chest pain from just about everyone i have spoken to.

for me its normally always there, some days barely noticeable, other days the only thing i can focus on.

ive not had a heart attack before but im guessing its a lot worse than this.

Not_Batman

Hi Everyone of you beautiful people :)

I'd like to start by thanking each and every one of you for sharing your anxiety on here, you are helping me and everyone that read this thread more than you can imagine.

-Dizzyness, but not dizzy like im going to faint but a balance issue - but when I test my balance, of course there's no actual impairment.

- Heart thuds - Yes I have seen multiple cardiologists and yes i'm 100% fine

- Tiny digestive spasms, not painful, just like a blip. like a palpitation of the bowel. (usually followed by a fart!)

- Slightly blurry right eye - eye tests all clear!

- Aura migraine - entertaining at least! - triggered by a reflection of the sun off something. only happened twice but a little lie down in a dark room sorted them out

- Constipation followed by the squirts (that got sorted out by giving up lactose, turns out I had rid myself of the ability to process lactose after a bad gastro, I can still eat ice cream if I take a couple of Lactase tablets)

- Burning eyes - meh

- frequent hydration and the knock on effect of peeeeeeeeing - can't be too bad as we all know that you've got to keep hydrated.

- Full blown panic attacks - they are actually pretty easy to handle nowadays as they are a know adversary and I can beat them with breathing 6 in 6 out for as long as it takes.

- Sparkes in my vision (in the periphery usually)

- Fear - duh! totally irrational thoughts of doom/madness/failure/embarrassment/shame/guilt

- Burning skin for just a second, it could be an ear, a bit of thigh, a finer, a lip.

- Tight neck/back

- Overreaction to criticism

- Avoidance of places far away from help - but I like to get out into the blue mountains in the Troopy so pull myself together and just GO!

- The need to rub my head!?! that's a strange one.

- Shifting my stance and fidgeting CONSTANTLY - I have a sit stand desk at work, that helps.

- Fatigue - But I love a snooze so hey...

- heartburn - not much, only a short go at that one.

- underwater feeling in one ear. comes then goes just like that

- Craving for SUGAR!

- thinking I have Cancers, ME, MS, Fibrothingy, arthritis, stroke, dementia, malaria, covid, you name it, I can google it an have it in five minutes flat.

- Fluttering for just a second just below my ribs, not my heart, not my stomach, kinda gets my attention in a bad way, sets off the old adrenalin and doooooown we go.

Oh my god I relate to this 100%. I get random twitches and muscle spasms all over my body typically the eyes, stomach and pectorals. And I’m sure the stomach spasms contribute to the excessive gas and bowel movement. Not a day goes by where I don’t have a migraine a headache or a little ache in my temple (which I assume is related to neck tightness and me clenching my teeth together a lot). The actual attacks for me seemingly come out of no where and I don’t necessarily experience panic or anxiety with them except for the thought of, “no this is definitely a heart attack this time”. But 5 weeks into my experience with the physical side of anxiety and I’m still completely fine apart from being tired all the time and just sick of it 😂. I totally get the eye auras for example when I close my eyes I see lightning strikes or random flashes. I have adhd so I fidget and move a lot anyway but this has definitely worsened it. All day I’ve been shaking my feet as if it’s a mannerism. I always think I’ve got a cancer of some sort because of the constant fatigue and a occasional but too often nauseous feeling but at the same time I get random tingles/shivers on one side of my face and I instantly think I’m having a stroke. A good technique to help me shift from the stroke mindset is do Peter piper picked a peck of pickled peppers as quick as I can then name things around my room out loud as strokes make it so you can’t really recognise objects. I also get random pains just under the ribs where the spleen is and lower abdomen. I’m honestly used to it by now but it really sucks because I can’t enjoy my life 100% of the time anymore. But your post is the closest I’ve seen to the things I’ve been experiencing and it’s very comforting knowing that I’m not alone.

Hope you’re well and can overcome these feeling as I hope to do. 😊

My psychologist recommended 3 sets of 10 breathes so in 1 out 2 in 3 out 4 and so on it really does help and give me a sense of control.

Hey, first time posting..

I have had GAD for what feels like my whole life and have panic attacks that usually involve heart pulpitations, excessive uncontrollable crying and difficulty breathing.

Recently I have started taking a medication that has resolved nearly all my physical systems!! But now when i am am using my coping mechanisms during trying times i randomly vomit? No other symptoms. Has this happened to anyone else who has found a medication that has helped their physical anxiety attacks? If so how do you handle it in social situations?

Thankyou.

I try the method of counting to four whilst intentionally breathing. Big deep breaths. It was so hard at first and sometimes it didn't work. be easy on yourself and understand it is a process and communicate where you feel safe to do so. You can do it! I am proud to say I have not lashed out in over a year now!

Hi all,

First time using this! And have read a few stories.
I’ve been living through hell the last 18 months. It all started from a antibiotic I was prescribed which gave me terrible side effects. From then on, I’ve not ever overcome them. I’ve been to the doctors more times than I can count. My current symptoms are;

contipation, indigestion, shaking, unable to concentrate. I feel weak some days, and tired. I’ve had many tests done, and the last resort is the endoscopy and colonoscopy. I’ve only just started to reliase I may have nothing wrong with me at all and it may all be in my head.

I’ll have days that I am fine, but most I get fixated on one small thing in my body and it’s on my mind all day which then results in panic and overthinking.

Ive lost 18kg since Dec last year, in which most has been within the last 6 months. I have fear of eating as in my head I think to myself what I start to feel yuck, so I don’t eat. I’ve tried all diets for what I may have (IBS C) but again, this May all be in my head.

I feel a little lost, and find comfort in this forum and hoping to have some people feeling the same.

For as long as I know I’ve always had a fear of getting sick. My mother was never nurturing and got angry with us kids if we were sick and I feel I’m walking in her footsteps. I don’t want this fear, it’s taken me to a dark place which know has given me anxiety beyond control.
Advice would be greatly appreciated :)

Hey,

Among other symptoms, I usually get cramps/tingling in my legs. As a tall guy with long legs, it's quite unusual. Kind of funny, actually. I suddenly feel very tall and that my legs are overly long, haha. Anxiety is weird, hey?

First time posting so I'll just share my 2 cents while I'm here. I've always been an worrier but have never had serious anxiety until Covid. Since October I've experienced crippling anxiety and panic attacks. Like a lot of these stories I have read, I felt like I was dying. However, I've also felt that with management strategies I've noticed considerable improvement already. I've stopped panic attacks altogether and anxiety attacks are fairly controlled. Keep moving forward, it's key to remember that there was a time before anxiety and there will be a time after.

Sending you all love today x

I have been having a weird tingling sensation in my legs and also sometimes it’ll start from my arm and go down to my leg like a chill sensation.. anyone experience this?

I also get that sometimes. And there are also times when it extends to my head/scalp. It's weird and scary because there's a thought that something serious might happen any second.

Omg I carnt believe this but im so glad to read your post as I dont feel so alone or as if im going crazy. I to have your symptoms and have also been to the hospital a few times in the last few months and have had all the tests. All come back fine and yes mine is from severe anxiety. I have always had anxiety but it has got worse in the last six months with the physical symptoms in my heart and chest area. Of course when I think the worst it makes make anxiety worse such a catch 22. Take care , your not alone

Yesterday on Christmas I had one of my worst attacks yet it lasted pretty much all day and I felt extreme nauseous and weak. It lasted about 7 hours then went away and I could finally eat something. Then today I woke up late and when I ate I started feeling sick again. Lots of upper abdominal discomfort and wind. My bowel movements have also been irregular. Has anyone else experienced this?

Yes I have had problems with abdominal discomfort and I to have been having loads of wind. My Christmas Day was much the same as yours and it lasted all day until I finally took some medication that helped me sleep but then when I woke up next day I still felt nauseous, no energy and stomach pain. I have had lots of panic feelings and feel such dread. Today has been a bit better and I have managed to go out and sit by the water for half hour . It definitely comes and goes and I have to really try hard to not let my mind go to the worst possibilities .

Yeah I was definitely far better on Boxing Day compared to Christmas but since Boxing Day it hasn’t improved much. I’m so sick of it all so I’m booking an appointment to see the psychiatrist. Today I’ve been having some aches in the stomach and some sharp but also achey chest pains and they almost seem to be linked. I google symptoms like this even though sometimes it doesn’t help and a possible thing is acute pericarditis. Although I doubt it, I’m always thinking it could be something else other than anxiety causing this just because it feels so dreadful, painful and exhausting. But I’m glad to hear I’m not alone with any of my symptoms and I wish you and myself luck with our conditions.

Yes definitely not alone and I am also going to make appt with doctor, going to get some blood tests done . Not sure weather getting them done makes me feel better Well I guess if they come back all clear that’s good and then I will have to sort out meds to help with this awful panic disorder. Anyway I’m sorry you have this but I’m glad I have someone that relates and it sure helps to feel not so alone.

I’m curious to know if anyone else gets this but for some reason I’ve been having anxiety attacks in the car and my symptoms consist of tingly arm, nausea, dizziness, double vision and a switch flicks in my head like something literally moves inside (yes I’ve had ct scan and an mri and I’m fine) but yeah just curious to see if anyone else has similar

I get sharp stabbing pains in my stomach and end up crippled from them and it lasts for a while.

It's usually only triggered when I do swimming carnivals at school because of bad experiences of being pushed too far and almost drowning due to my asthma.

When I have my panic attacks/anxiety it's 7/10 accompanied by my asthma. Being told to take deep breaths doesn't help because I already can't breathe from the asthma.

Whenever is swimming carnival season at school I will usually get the stabbing pains, terrible and painful headache, start sweating uncontrollably no matter if it's freezing or hot outside/inside, shaky hands and I feel like I'm going to vomit. All these happen at the same time if I'm scared about having to do something or worrying about somebody/something.

The stabbing pain is the most common to happen when I'm having an asthma attack from swimming though.

Me too!!

Anyone else get overwhelming arm aches?? I get the strangest upper arm aches that can last a week sometimes.

I have been experiencing quite bad anxiety symptoms the last week or so. The most common being nausea/not wanting to eat. I’ve been ill the last couple holiday periods — so I think my trigger this time has been worrying that I’ll feel sick. Which has made me anxious. Which has then actually made me feel sick. Awesome viscious cycle.
I also get arm pain/aching, tightness in my chest, constant fidgeting.
Have only really dealt with anxiety for the last year or so and hoping I can get it under control!

Wow, a lot of new posters on here. WELCOME!!!

sometimes triggers are hard to identify simply, or right away. Right now im sitting in the passenger seat taking a drive. Pain across the chest and an empty feeling have been with me all day. and you know the staggered gasping breathing you have when youve been crying, yep that too.

I had a good sleep last night, even had a sleep in. I havent been crying. So why am i feeling this way? I wish i knew. Im not worried, im not in any danger, but i just need to acknowledge the body, practice some mindfulness or breathing exercises.

Not_Batman