Topic: what physical feelings of anxiety do you get?

I have always considered myself an anxious person. High school and university was a very difficult time for me. I constantly felt mentally exhausted and stressed out due to the workload and wanting to perform at my absolute best and I believe that that took a significant toll on my wellbeing. I came out of university recently and I realised that my physical symptoms I am experiencing have been more significant than ever before. They started out with a feeling of slight lightheadedness and dizziness every day, but this was something that I could put up with. More recently though I have been experiencing debilitating headaches that feel like enormous pressure inside my head as well as a tight stiff neck and very sore shoulders. The worst part is that most of the time painkillers do not help me and it does not matter how many massages I have, I will still wake up sore and uneasy the next morning despite a full night of uninterrupted sleep.

I have been seeing a regular GP who has been extremely kind and helpful and I have done a number of tests: blood tests, XRAYs and MRIs and they have all come back negative for any causative factor for the symptoms I am experiencing. I have also gone on to see a physiotherapist and an osteopath as well as seeing a psychologist and talking through what has been going on and how to relieve my symptoms. I am also taking antidepressant medication to combat frequent headaches that haven't really helped. I am still experiencing the pressure headaches and sore muscles that choose when they want to come and go (more frequently than not). I am someone who is able to admit that there is something going on but no one has been able to tell me what exactly that may be and I guess that's because no one really knows. It upsets me that I am constantly letting those around me know that I am experiencing physical pain and sometimes I just feel like a burden. The general feeling of uneasiness and soreness has also taken a toll on my social life as I find that I am scared about going anywhere due to how debilitating the muscle soreness and pressure headaches are.

I hope that everyone is well during this time and I hope this provides some relief to those who are experiencing the same/similar physical symptoms that I am as well as those who may have overcome these symptoms. Please let me know what you did if this is true regarding your situation.

Kind regards and well wishes to all

Hi Dakota18

Welcome and good on you for being so proactive to post too!

Having the awful headaches...sore neck..shoulder muscles would be debilitating Dakota18. You are doing everything possible with your health with having an excellent GP and all of your tests as well..I understand the pain you are going through as I used to have similar symptoms as you experience

Just my humble opinion though my own experience....when we are over sensitized or even going through low level stress/anxiety our shoulder/neck muscles will let us know with the headaches....and yes they can be very painful to have Dakota18. I am also taking antidepressants as well for my anxiety issues

Thankyou so much for your kind post and your best wishes to everyone on the forums :-) You are always welcome to start up your own thread topic if you wish as there are many gentle people that can be here for you

my kind thoughts

Paul

Hi Paul
Thanking you for your quick response

Is there anything else that you did or do that you found helpful with regards to the symptoms you feel such as the muscle tension?

Hi everyone!....New members are always welcome to post about their own physical symptoms of anxiety

No worries at all Dakota! To answer your question I have the benefit of a property that is on a steep block of land...so I am always working out by doing landscaping/maintenance on it which keeps me very fit

You are always welcome to start up your own thread topic if you wish Dakota as you will have more replies from members that have a similar set of physical symptoms :-)

my kind thoughts.....Paul

I forgot to mention some of the physical feelings I feel and they are shaking (so Bad can even hold a cup of coffee)

The other is a fear that I have forgotten my medication and I spend all the time worrying that I will have a seizure which never happens, as I have taken my Medication.

Even though this is only a thought not a feeling It consumes me making it feel real.

Hi Dakota18,

I get a lot of headaches as well as muscle tension when I work at a desk all day. Is this your case? If so, I've found it helpful to schedule regular 10-15min breaks (at least one in the morning and one in the arvo on top of your lunch break) where I get away from the screen, get up from my chair, do a bit of stretching, move my head/arms in slow circles and such. As well as something nice like listening to a nice song, making myself tea... It really helps relax both mentally and physically.
When I manage to stick to it, it makes a huge difference both to my well-being and my productivity. I also have some eyesight issues so it's really important that I don't stare at the screen all day without interruption - our eyes are not actually made for this and it can lead to serious headaches, back pain etc.
If you (like me) find yourself "planning" to do the breaks but not actually doing them, try putting alarms on your phone or if you have anyone living/working with you, schedule the breaks with them!
I hope it helps, wishing you the best!

Mil

Hi all,

Popping in to this very helpful thread for 2 reasons. Firstly, I seem to have fallen into the terrible trap again of visiting Dr. Google instead of my real life GP! I refrained from doing this for quite some time and my health anxiety definitely improved when I stopped googling symptoms. I always recommend to other health anxiety sufferers not to excessively google, and I need to take my own advice and stop googling again! Dr. Google may be great for some things but seems to throw up MS when anxiety symptoms are entered into symptom checker. As I have had a recent MRI, I know I don't have MS. This thread is so helpful to remind me that there are certainly some weird and wonderful symptoms of anxiety!

Secondly, I would like to use this space for a quick shout out to Paul blondguy who does a brilliant job of as the caretaker of this thread. Paul, your responses to people on these forums are always so compassionate and kind with practical advice that is so helpful. I am sure those who bump into you around the forums agree. Thanks for all that you do Paul :)

I hope everyone is being gentle with themselves while managing their anxiety symptoms.

Kindest thoughts to you all, CS.

Hello my problem with anxiety is everytime i try to sleep i wakeup in an attack... To me it feels like the fight or flight feeling and sometimes its that bad that i jump up out of bed all panicked and fully pumped, scares the hell out of me... I also get random out of the blue attacks through the day over nothing that i know of... Does anybody else go through something similar? So mentaly drained... Does anybody know if anxiety if cronic anxiety is covered by DSP?

Hi everyone! New members are always welcome to post about their physical anxiety symptoms too

Hey BT...I hear you loud and clear about the "shakes" as they can be awful to have...can I ask if they happen when you are concentrating doing something with your hands? Always great to see you BT :-)

Hey KAOTik....Welcome to the forums and great to have you on Annabays thread topic and good on you for having the courage to post too! I understand your anxiety feelings as I used to have the same attacks in my 20's and they can be horrible to have KAOTik. The random 'out of the blue attacks' during the day are also very common yet again are awful to have

KAOTik....just a note if I can through my own experience with anxiety....If your symptoms begin to have a detrimental effect on your day to day ability to function effectively please make a double appointment with your GP...You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by doing so!

Chronic anxiety isnt usually covered by the DSP unless it has interfered with your ability to engage in ongoing employment......(and being able to establish ongoing clinical assistance from a psychiatrist) The criteria to qualify for DSP is complex and detailed. If you wish you are more than welcome to start your own thread as there are many super kind people that can help

The forums are a safe and non judgemental place for you to post!

my kindest.....Paul

Hi Everyone....New members are always welcome to post too!

Hey Calmseeker! You have just made my day with your caring post :-) It means more to me than you know. I hope you dont mind me mentioning that I have had anxiety that sometimes results in agoraphobia..ugh!

You are an asset to Beyond Blue and the forums for the TLC you provide CS

my kind thoughts and appreciation

Paul

Hi Ca8,

I have those exact same responses to anxiety! They are not as frequent as before I went to a doctor to seek medical advice. I am glad you have made that step! There is very easy medication that can be prescribed, which is great. Whatever your doctor says, you've made the right decision by seeking help. Panic attacks are extremely tiring and I can synpathize with what you're feeling.

Keep your chin up.. it definitely get's better!

Hi Dakota18,

I sympathize with what you are going through, I can't imagine what it's like to not be able to pin point where these feelings or pain is coming from. I am also on similar medication and was waking up stiff - I actually invested in a really good pillow which allowed me to get better sleeps... I know this may sound too simple, but have you replaced your pillow recently?

Many regards,

LexiJane

I am so glad I have read all the responses to the OP.

I suffer from a lot of these physical feelings especially the chest pain which I have had checked out the GP and cardiologist no problems heart working well.

Also can't stop crying sometimes lasts for hours. Also diarrhoea and upset stomach.

After reading replies I realise I am not the only one going through this

Thanks for the post,

my phsyical symptoms include

- severe heart palpitations (feels like my heart is going to come out of my throat)

-dizzy spells

-sweaty

-stomach is always upset

-shaky

-crying

-constantly fidgety

-and my voice changes almost to the point where it’s croaky and it’s effort to talk.

Hello,
I too have health anxiety since last year when my life changed unexpectedly. I've had awful physical symptoms the past month. Sensitivity to normal noises (hyperacusis) and more recently strange muscle twitching and pain and pins and needles in hands and feet. Trembling mouth. Muscle fatigue. Neurologist thinks it's all stress and anxiety. I have an MRI next week to check for MS. I am so afraid I have something neurological going on. I can't stand the fear I've been living in and just want it to end.

Hi there,

my anxiety manifest as chronic digestive issues, if I feel anxious about something, or I feel not confident or that I'm not good at a task I need to do at work, my stomach plays up, you can hear it, it's so embarrassing. It doesn't happen at home, in my environment where I feel safe and know my surroundings and family, this is why I think it is my anxiety and not some other medical issue going on? as soon as my head and mind starts racing with anxiety, you can guarantee my stomach and digestive issues begin. It's so awful and is staring to affect my wanting to work for fear of embarrassment. Does anyone else have similar issues?

I know due to quiet a few things that have gone on in my life, that I've lost all confidence in myself and my abilities and until I can work on this, the anxiety and hence digestive issues will continue to be there.

Hi koby, my name is Ty and I have never been on a forum like this about anxiety, but I can relate with a sickening feeling in ur stomach from only stress and anxiety. The way I have learned to overcome is to go for a run or exercise ur body, this creates a good distraction and usually helps to escape the anxiety from your own head.

I'm paying closer attention to how anxiety manifests in me.

Usually my thought are racing and usually about things I can't control or too much to do ie feeling overwhelmed.

At first I feel a tightening in my chest and if it escalates (without me practising some grounding) then I have shortness of breath.

My sleep patterns get out of whack; I feel I can't get to sleep, sometimes I have nightmares, wake up sweaty. Usually I get up very early before dawn.

Regular eating patterns are also thrown out of whack.

I feel tense in my shoulders, arms and sometimes legs.

Sometimes I get stomach cramps.

If I can 'step in early' in the anxiety trajectory going almost straight upwards, then I can usually calm down. This may take hours or a few days depending. This is what I do:
* ground myself by taking up my rake and raking or doing some digging in the garden or watering,
* eat something really yummy,
* watching comedy,
* talking with a friend (but I acknowledge that sometimes this is NOT a good idea lol)
* having a bath (with a comedy playing on my phone nearby)
* playing with the dog
* shaking my arms out like I'm flicking something out of me
* rubbing scented body lotion in all over my body.

Hope this helps someone,
EM

I often come back to this thread for a little reassurance when things start to go a little haywire for me. It's good to know that we all have moments where the anxiety creeps back in, changes shape or form and throws us off the path. I've been feeling a whole lot better the past couple of weeks. I actually stopped medication because it was causing more physical symptoms than the help it was giving me and decided I would manage my anxiety more naturally. Yesterday I had a day that was quite emotional for a number of reasons and took me out of my comfort zone - that part I did deliberately (gradual exposure and all that). From late yesterday and today some of the physical stuff has crept back. I can't really concentrate on work. I feel edgy on anxious of course but the physical side has been the hand tremors and my favourite part is where I feel my left shoulder is kinda jittery or shivery and I get this knot in my left rib cage. Of course, these things trigger the thought response that something is wrong with my heart (it's been checked and all is good) but it stops me doing anything physical where I have to raise my heart rate. Palpitations are a major symptom and trigger for me. I guess my anxiety likes to manifest in the upper left of my torso and man I wish it would pick somewhere else, like a foot or somewhere, anywhere away from my heart or head. Curious to know if anyone else has a 'patch' of their body it likes to pick?

I usually tend to experience chest pain too/tightening in my chest and lungs. my whole body feels stiff and immobile. nausea, headaches, sweating

Hi everyone! Thankyou so much for being a part of Annabays thread topic and sharing your physical symptoms

Hey LexiJane...ContraryMary...zeldadiana...Felixblack...cookiesandcream...TV....ecomama...Ricman Cathyxd7

so many wonderful people here :-)

I used to have chronic anxiety for a few years... (everyone has different anxiety symptoms of course) I neglected to seek help for my symptoms thinking I could 'fight them' and I was so wrong....Just for me they became worse over time as I didnt call my GP when my symptoms started.....oops

I didnt understand the earlier I sought treatment the better my recovery would have been. The good news is that our symptoms do decrease in severity especially with frequent ongoing visits to our doc/counsellor

be gentle to yourselves

Paul

Hi felixblack

all the best for your MRI

i had these exact symptoms a few years ago and got the all clear after an MRI.

Sometimes I still get pin and needles

but mainly headaches.

it can be exhausting all these manifestations we get

Hi blufftuff,

I feel the same fear all the time and sometimes unfortunately, it’s true - I do forget.

one of the best ways to keep track is making a habit of taking the tablet then immediately writing that days date on a note pad that you keep with your tablets. When you think you may have forgotten you can see you have or haven’t written the date, and therefore have or haven’t yet taken the tablet, thus hopefully calming down a bit.

i used to use a pillbox with a box for each day of the week starting on Monday. I’d write a note of when I took the tablet, and if I thought I’d forgotten I’d check the note and the pillbox for the particular day of the week.

i found it hard to keep track sometimes but this was one way to try and it saved me from that horrible whole day consuming fear and worry.

Thanks for the reply. Yep that’s typical of anxiety but you’ll be ok. I get these all too, sweaty fidgety and feeling edgy especially...but It’s not the end and it will pass.
have you spoke to a doctor about these physical feelings of anxiety?
just glad we’re not alone and we are going to be ok, even though at the time it doesn’t feel like it.

its brave of you to come forward and it’s hard to control or sit through, breathe through and calm. But good things will come by eventually.

good luck and all the best to everyone here. Keep on focusing on the good things around us

I’m so sorry your having these feelings.

i have health related anxiety and after feeling fine for a period of time, I think this pandemic, home schooling, loss of work and just general uncertainty have sent me over the edge again.

it started off with neck pain and feeling anxious then I sensed a weakness and electric sort of feeling in my arm. Thought, ok, you’ve had this before, it will go. Had an mri on my neck and that was clear.

that was fine until I got the electric feeling down the left leg too.

then I spiralled. Doc still thinks it’s anxiety but of course I think I’m going to die!

I woke up shaking one morning and that confirmed it for me, I have a brain tumour or MS! They are the main ones I focus on!

spoke to my doc and told her my whole body felt like it was shaking and she feels it’s anxiety.

last night I was so anxious going to bed because I didn’t want it to happen again that I felt like my whole body had been plugged into an electrical socket and I felt all shaking and jittery.

ive found these groups quite helpful as it normalises everything I get.

it seems like my body seems to create new scenarios just for fun! each and every time I get some physical symptom I think I’m done for! It’s exhausting!

Good luck for the MRI, I’m sure it will be fine! 🤗

Thanks for sharing.

You mention the tiredness. I have been feeling a lot of fatigue lately due to digestive issues I am suffering from. I have started to eat more but still get real bad fatigue that causes anxiety. Then the anxiety causes worse fatigue. It has created a loop which I am trying to fight off.

Thanks for sharing this.

We seem to have similar symptoms and feelings so this has helped me reading this. Its nice to know I am not the only one going through this.

I have always suffered frm anxiety but it recently got real bad due to a hiatal hernia (digestive issue) which has caused me to hardly eat and feel extremely fatigued all the time. I started eating more and thought i should be improving but suddenly started feeling fatigue which immediately caused me to panic. Thoughts that I have cancer or chronic fatigue set in. I am trying to eat more and go for a 30 min walk daily to get some circulation but still get fatigue and then anxiety attacks....or sometimes its the other way around, I will have strong anxiety and then the fatigue will set it and then the anxiety gets worse (vicious cycle).

Ive decided to get help.

Hi summer girl
Thanks for replying.
It is good to know someone else has gone through this.
Can i ask - did your symptoms persist or come and go? The muscle tension, twitching and soreness especially in arms and legs and shoulders just won't go away and it has been weeks! I take magnesium and calcium but to no avail.
I don't suffer panic attacks but have definitely had anxiety on and off the past year, lots of stress with massive life changes. And of course now these symptoms making me more anxious! Do you have panic attacks? How long dis your symptoms last and what helped them go away? I get MRI results tonight.
I am still struggling to accept that this is all anxiety and stress related as the symptoms are so acute and real!! Hope to hear from you. :) Glad you are also now recovered

I get stomach cramps resulting in diarrhoea - am I the only one who experiences that ? I can’t go anywhere that doesn’t have a toilet .

Hi felixblack

hopefully Your MRI came back all clear I’m sure it has.

i had these symptoms during a difficult time for about two months.

i found someone who after numerous tests told me that I was psychosomatic which I was ,

after this particular bad time the symptoms just went away. They came back on and off Over the years and I ignore them I just accept that they are part of my life and nothing “serious” and they go away.

every 6months or so I get a bout of symptoms out of nowhere , chest pain ., cramping and aches in my legs , headaches and I go and see my GP for reassurance and have tests and miraculously after getting the all clear the symptoms just disappear.

Lately I feel that I probably need a tune up from a psychologist and have booked in with a new GP one that I can be honest with about my anxiety without feeling embarrassed as the symptoms have been more frequent lately after a long period of recovery.

i found that reading these forums help along with acceptance and commitment therapy and reading about other people’s experiences.

It’s crazy how the human mind can manifest such strong physical reactions. I was reading recently that a nurse who works in a neurology ward said that it was common to see people come in with these symptoms and get the all clear as they are related to anxiety.
hope this helps felixblack.