Sudden start of an anxiety disorder?

Yanicka1

One week ago, I went from a normal worrier, single mom, busy busy on the go person to someone with chest pain, dizziness, weak muscles and anxiety filled . I had some stress that day but nothing that would explain how I feel. I have seen the Emergency Doctor and physically, I am healthy.......but I really do not feel healthy. I went from walking 4-5 km 5 days a week and 4 times a week bodybuilding to a lump on the couch.

I know nothing about this disorder, anyone had a similar experience?

QuietBloom

Yes. Have you seen a psychiatrist for an actual diagnosis? Did they check your blood sugar levels at the emergency doctor? Low blood sugar can be confused with anxiety disorder, as many of the symptoms are the same.

seltzermint555

It sounds like you may be depressed...I am certainly not a professional, but I have been diagnosed with GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) and it is really not the sort of thing that comes on suddenly like a physical illness.

You describe yourself as a worrier, so it's not unlikely that you do have anxiety.

But the strong and sudden onset of these physical symptoms is worrying. That is something I am unfamiliar with. Is it possible to see a psychologist, psychatrist, or counseling professional AND your general physician? That's what I would advise.

MyOwnSunshine

Here are my thoughts:

Have you been using any stimulant-containing supplements when you lift? Increased your caffeine intake?

Can you recall a trigger for the first event?

Have you had any other symptoms of anxiety?

The good news is that panic disorder and anxiety are fairly easily treated with anti-anxiety medications in the short-term, and with cognitive behavioral therapy in the long-term.

Even though you have been checked out in the Emergency Department, you should go to your primary care physician and get a thorough physical with lab draws. Other medical conditions (hyperthyroid, supraventricular tachycardia) can manifest as a panic attack. Your physician can also prescribe an anti-anxiety med to help as you sort things out.

Yanicka1

Thank you for your replies. I had my blood sugar checked and it is normal. I have not seen any mental health specialist yet but will. I also have an appointment with my primary physician January 8 th and will discuss our options. ER doctor looked for metabolic disorders and any cardiac problem.

I did take a caffein pill before lifting most days but do not consume a huge amount of caffein outside that.

I had a fight with my SO that day but it was not that important. I do not "feel" depressed but I guess it is a possibility
It is just so sudden, 24 hours before I was my normal happy self. Sigh

Silver lining....it completely killed my appetite :ohwell:

MyOwnSunshine

Stop the caffeine pill before lifting, first and foremost.

Unless it is an FDA supplement, it may contain varying amounts of caffeine. Regardless of the amount, now that you are experiencing panic attacks, it will exacerbate your symptoms.

invisibubble

I get what I call "episodes" of panic disorder of varying intensity, and they began (and still begin) suddenly. I have EUPD, agoraphobia, social phobia and depression, though.
Something is obviously amiss either psychically or physically. With me, stuff tends to pile up and I don't notice, so one day i just kinda break down.
You need to see a GP, only they can tell you what it's likely to be.
Do stop the caffeine pills for now, it won't help at all.

kdb247

Yes. Went to the doctor and had various tests performed including a stress test.

Conclusion: Too much caffeine mixed with these stupid herbal supplements I used to take. The combo made me antsy, paranoid and nervous. I cut out the herbals and decreased the caffeine a little.

neandermagnon

Yes. Have you seen a psychiatrist for an actual diagnosis? Did they check your blood sugar levels at the emergency doctor? Low blood sugar can be confused with anxiety disorder, as many of the symptoms are the same.

also, low carb dieting (and the resulting low blood sugar levels) is known to trigger relapses in people who have anxiety disorders. I have to be careful of this because I have PTSD (yes this comes from experience as in too low levels of carbs = much more susceptable to PTSD triggers and also worsening of other symptoms, and I found this out from experience, not from being told... it's only after doing some research into it I found reporting of case studies of anxiety disorder relapses from low carb diets, followed by recovery on resuming a normal diet)

so OP if you're on a low carb diet, then that could be the culprit. I'm fine on 40% carb 30% fat 30% protein, and I'll up my carb intake if my activity levels are higher, just to be on the safe side.

inside_lap

Have your throid checked as well. Too high or too low can result in depression or anxiety like symptoms. Low iron also can result in depression like symptoms. Go to your doc. Let him know what's going on. Let him run some tests.

Suppliments can also result in symptoms that look like anxiety or depression.

Sleep rhythem is also very important. A few nights of bad sleep, a stressor, and normal anxiety can become panic.

So keep everything in mind. Journel to see if there is a pattern. You may not notice it right away. If anything, this gives your doc somewhere to start.

However, if it is truly anxiety or depression. Both are treatable through therapy and/or medication. *Hugs*

delicious_cocktail

These are the holidays after all.

This is the most stressful time of year. People on average die more frequently, for Pete's sake.

The symptoms you are describing could be nothing more than acute stress.

While your issue may be any one of the long list of suggestions you've seen, it might just be these long dark days, gifts, money issues, etc - radiating off everyone you bump into.

Sadness is in your mind, happiness is in your mind. There is no such thing as objective happiness or sadness. Meditate on this so that your time on the couch is more productive. Set a time at which you will get dressed and go to the gym. You don't have to lift; just get dressed, and go in your normal routine. See how you feel once you're there. Don't worry about PRs, lift for joy.



[All of this is not to say that it certainly isn't some sort of exotic medical issue or sudden unexpected chemical imbalance. But I think just being extra bummed is a little more likely.]

davert123

I'm a psychotherapist in the UK :-)

See what the doctor says. Anxiety can be diet driven (such as caffeine and sugar), they could be emotional, it could be SAD, or a combination of everything. Or it may be something different. If I were you I would reduce caffeine slowly with the aim of eliminating it, substitute Protein for any man made sugar you are eating (Stop the sugar immediately) and try and get outside as much as possible. Also keep seeing the Doc. Anxiety often works on a feedback system in our head. We feel anxious (as a physical sensation) , our brain tries to work out whats up and gives us the worst possible thing to think about which is anxiety providing and off we go . The change in diet may help - also keeping a food log which records food and feelings can help. CBT is good in some cases because it can teach people to break the link between the physical sensation and the **** thoughts and memories that are attached to the feeling. Stuff like Transactional Analysis and Integrative Psychotherapy can really help to get to the bottom of any underlying psychological issues if food or CBT don't work. There are of course medications which can help you get though the day but I would seriously look at food and CBT even if you decide that meds are the way to go because the meds may remove the symptoms but will have side effects (they can be a god send) but they won't necessarily remove the root cause which the other methods can:-)

Good luck
Dave

delicious_cocktail

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broox80

I have always had anxiety. I work in the mental health field and my supervisor is an LCSW. He diagnosed me with anticipratory anxiety. I was taking Wellburin but didnt really think it was doing much good. Then out of the blue I started waking up in the middle of the night with racing heartbeat and cold sweats. My boss told me to get my *kitten* back on the Wellburin and it was probably helping more than I realized. Im not a med pusher but some people do need it. I think I am one of those people.

gabrielleelliott90

It does sound like that could of been and probably actually was a panic attack/anxiety attack. I personally have anxiety myself, I take 10mg of citalopram, an anti-depressant for my anxiety. I used to have a panic attack every few months, but I haven't had one for a very long time thanks to medication. I would go to your doctor, tell them about it, they may give you medication which will help you, trust me when you get panic attacks and feel anxious, you want to nip it in the bud. I developed agoraphobia from it which isn't too bad now, I have recovered a lot, at one point I was not going out though. At one point my anxiety was so bad I was puking. I overcame that. This year my anxiety got so bad I could not relax, could not enjoy myself was worrying so much, which was when I was put on medication and everything is a lot better now. Medication is the best thing but there are other ways you can calm down. Thinking positive, using mindfulness (basically being aware of what you are doing and focusing on that and nothing else- staying in the present), using a relaxation app on your phone, meditation, talking to someone when you are feeling anxious, distracting yourself by watching tv or something like that.

gabrielleelliott90

I have always had anxiety. I work in the mental health field and my supervisor is an LCSW. He diagnosed me with anticipratory anxiety. I was taking Wellburin but didnt really think it was doing much good. Then out of the blue I started waking up in the middle of the night with racing heartbeat and cold sweats. My boss told me to get my *kitten* back on the Wellburin and it was probably helping more than I realized. Im not a med pusher but some people do need it. I think I am one of those people.

I go to a mental health support group each week and the other day we were just talking about this topic. How this guy who was taking his medication forgot to take it and he noticed how it affected him when not taking his medication. It works and helps a lot and we don't really notice how much it helps us but it really does. It's quite amazing how a small tablet can change so much for us. I'm a medication person too. In my group we were told it isn't that something is wrong with us as such but it's just to help us for awhile, it makes us work better.

dontgobacktosleep

Sounds like serious dehydration. Did they check you for a blood clot? I would be seeking out an endocrinologist before finding yourself mental health. Hang in there!!

gabrielleelliott90

Although you don't take caffeine pills often or have much caffeine in your diet, please don't use them as they can hype you up. I have caffeine but I can control my anxiety a lot with medication so it doesn't affect me too much, however without meds it affects a lot more.

usmcmp

Many mental disorders tie to each other. I have a history of anxiety that is mild most of the year. When Seasonal Affective Distorder (SAD, or seasonal depression) kicks in, my anxiety goes through the roof. Vitamin D and a light box help me cope with life.

Softrbreeze

I'm a registered nurse and you certainly should see a primary care doctor to rule out any physical causes but before you load yourself up with drugs to artificially alter your brain chemistry , I recommend seeing an alternative health specialist, such as an acupuncturist or energy worker (reiki). I've tried both and have had some outstanding results. Some chiropractic may be able to assist as well. Feel free to message me if you want specifics.

Samantha15240

Oh my gosh yes. I actually had to quit my gym due to finances and I was going 3 days a week. The next month I had a change in monthly hormones that brought on the first panic attacks. The next month I went to the doc with a cold and strep. Once the strep was gone, I still felt tightness in my chest and all day fatigue. I have gone a whole month now of constant fatigue and tense muscles and chest tightness. I find I get easily winded from cardiovascular exercise and even just yelling at my 2 kids to stop killing each other. All of my tests have come back great. I also noticed symptoms get worse starting in late afternoon for me. I understand the lump on the couch thing tho! I am fidgety but have no energy to get moving.

QuietBloom

Yes. Have you seen a psychiatrist for an actual diagnosis? Did they check your blood sugar levels at the emergency doctor? Low blood sugar can be confused with anxiety disorder, as many of the symptoms are the same.

also, low carb dieting (and the resulting low blood sugar levels) is known to trigger relapses in people who have anxiety disorders. I have to be careful of this because I have PTSD (yes this comes from experience as in too low levels of carbs = much more susceptable to PTSD triggers and also worsening of other symptoms, and I found this out from experience, not from being told... it's only after doing some research into it I found reporting of case studies of anxiety disorder relapses from low carb diets, followed by recovery on resuming a normal diet)

so OP if you're on a low carb diet, then that could be the culprit. I'm fine on 40% carb 30% fat 30% protein, and I'll up my carb intake if my activity levels are higher, just to be on the safe side.

Wow, that is really interesting. Thanks for posting this!

singlefemalelawyer

I've always been a "worrier" but after a phase of intense stress and anxiety and a lot of change in my life, I suddenly started having panic attacks and landed in the ER. It took me a while to get it back under control, but I'm finally doing better. I hope you seek professional help as it can hard to deal with on your own.