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Hunger and lack of sleep affect anxiety level?

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Posted 1/15/2012 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
I work at a coffee shop, and I was working tired because I've been restless the past week, hungover because I'd been drinking, and I hadn't ate much so I was pretty hungry.

We were in the middle of a rush when my hands started shaking, which normally I'd just blow off, but I started to pay more and more attention to it, and then pay attention to my bodily symptoms out of worry, and was thrown into a full fledged panic attack. I had to sit in the back, and get something to eat. I suddenly felt starving. Once I ate the shaking subsided a little bit and I began to feel better but the panic was still affecting me when I was off of work on a smaller scale.

Does anyone know if sleep or hunger play a role in nervous system function? I've noticed this before. I feel set back when this stuff happens, but also I think it's my body's way of telling me to take better care of myself physically and mentally...

By the way does anyone else have to use the restroom a lot during an attack? That kind of confuses me.

Posted 1/15/2012 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, yes and yes. Hypoglycemic episodes can mimic the symptoms of panic completely, so it is important for those who suffer anxiety to keep the blood sugar regular.

Lack of sleep and the combination of a hangover will almost always set it off as well for many. I have read so many posts regarding this very thing!

I would say that you were experiencing an almost perfect situation for an attack. Add to the fact that you were stressed at work, and then focused on a physical symptom...I don't see how it could've been avoided.;p

The adrenaline that is released duing panic will also cause the body to need to use the bathroom frequently. (both types of elimination are common-sorry TMI, I know)

Anyway, I hope that you are feeling better today, and there are no more residual effects from your episode. Yes, our bodies and mind are very good at telling us to take care of ourselves...it kind of goes double for us anxiety sufferers.

Be well and keep posting!:)

Scaredy Cat
Posted 1/15/2012 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
Have you ever been tested for hypoglycemia? I'm not a doctor, but I had a friend who used to get this way, she is hypoglycemic, and as soon as she ate something or drank orange juice, she would calm down.

Me personally, when I have a panic attack, food is the last thing on my mind. LOL!..... and the bathroom thing..... it's very common with people who have anxiety/panic disorders.


"Hypoglycemia in people who do not have diabetes may be caused by: Drinking alcohol"


Symptoms you may have when your blood sugar gets too low include:

Double vision or blurry vision, Fast or pounding heartbeat, Feeling cranky or acting aggressive, Feeling nervous, Headache, Hunger, Shaking or trembling, Sleeping , trouble, Sweating, Tingling or numbness of the skin, Tiredness or weakness, Unclear thinking


This is just something I looked up quick on Hypoglycemia, just so that you are aware of the symptoms of it.

 

Post Edited (Fox7) : 1/15/2012 8:50:11 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/15/2012 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
ShootingStar

I am sorry to read that you are having a rough time.  To the best of my knowledge lack of sleep and not eating healthy along with alcohol consumption can all cause anxiety and panic attacks.

I agree with SC re hypoglycemia being a trigger for your sx.  Alcohol can wreak havoc on a system that is in place for your health and well-being. Excessively low or high blood sugar levels have long-term consequences.

Take care and I hope you are able to make some adjustments in your life style which should help you in decreasing your anxiety.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 1/16/2012 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
this was all very helpful, thanks u guys! Yeah I was checked for hypoglycemia but nothing turned up...when I dont eat though I get bad panic and start shaking.
Posted 1/16/2012 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, anybody can get low blood sugar from going too long without food...this is a hypoglycemic event, but does not mean that you are hypoglycemic...like in a chronic way.

Just try to eat small frequent meals and snacks to keep your blood sugars level.

Also, if you were drinking coffee on an empty stomach, that could have caused the shakes even more. That is the kiss of death for me...coffee with no food will cause panic-like symptoms everytime!

Hope all is well now...enjoy the rest of the weekend;)

S.C.
Posted 1/17/2012 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
I can relate so much to this thread! I know that when I am tired and/or hungry, it definitely makes my anxiety a million times worse. I think with tiredness it has to do with my not having enough energy to keep the anxious thoughts away. As far as hunger goes, I also think I get low blood sugar when I go too long without eating, which makes me dizzy.. but then I get anxious because I am dizzy and it makes it way worse. Eating usually makes it all better though.

The needing to go to the restroom a lot during an attack is also normal for me.. I think it's pretty common.

I do want to comment a little on caffeine. I don't know whether or not you actually drink caffeinated coffee (but you said you work at a coffee shop). For me, caffeine has always made my anxiety symptoms worse. So much so that I was told to completely cut caffeine out of my diet. I did that, and it does seem to have helped. (And anytime I slip up and do drink something with caffeine now, I notice a major difference.) That might be something to consider. (Though it is not a good idea to just suddenly stop drinking caffeine if you have been drinking a lot.)
Posted 1/17/2012 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Good morning! I just wanted to toss in my two cents, inactive as I may be. I want to echo earlier posters by agreeing that sleep and food play a huge role in anxiety, at least for me. Since starting university I've undergone some metabolic changes (as in, lots more exercise) and now if I don't eat I can't function. Literally <i>cannot function</i>. I'll be terribly anxious for a little bit when I'm stuck in class without a furtive snack and then I get really, really sleepy and shaky and stupid as my blood sugar drops and have to sit in a stupor until I can run for a bagel.

As for sleep, it is the key to a healthy nervous system. Researchers love to stress the importance of sleep and it's true. I get paranoid and anxious when I don't get enough sleep (which leaves me as the only uni student not pulling all-nighters). If it goes on for too long, I go on crying jags. Getting a good nap fixes me right up almost immediately.

In August, I was going from panic attack to panic attack. It's a self-perpetuating circle of lack of apetite and inability to sleep which landed me in the hospital. I had the shakes and a racing heart and blind panic. The works. With food and rest, I was perfectly all right. I tried lexapro, but good food and rest was the best cure. I hope you find what works best for you. I suggest staying away from more than a night-cap and limiting your caffeine intake (personal experience) to just enough to ward of withdrawal. Anything that effects how you function can have adverse, alarming effects.

Please keep us posted! I hope you are doing better.

-HC
Posted 1/18/2012 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys. Yeah those two components seem to have a lot to do with it. Are any of you seeing a psychologist? I don't take caffiene or do any meds but I'm trying to work it out all on my own and with the help of a psych.
What's hard is after a random attack it seems like they get worse for a while to where I get them everyday. Eventually when I stop paying so much attention to the issue it fades out.

Does this happen to any of you? Is there a way to shorten the time period? Have any of you had it really bad and gotten significantly better?
I do notice a gradual improvement.
Posted 1/18/2012 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, my anxiety definitely goes in cycles and waves. When I was suffering panic attacks, one could spark the next in a seemily never ending pattern, then they would fizzle out for awhile.

I don't have the attacks anymore (yeah CBT!) but I still have waves of anxiety that come and go. I just have to work extra hard on my coping techniques during this time.

Keep working on your program, it"s going to get better!

S.C.
Posted 1/18/2012 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ShootingStar,

I took advantage of free on-campus counseling and am doing a lot better after only a semester. I was given the tools to deal with everything. The counselor mostly asked very cryptic, though-provoking questions and listened attentively while I worked through everything myself out loud. It was empowering to be shown that I had the power to take everything into my own hands. It leaves you raw and tired, but it's a good feeling. My problems stemmed from my strong sociopathic tendencies, so your mileage may vary.

My panic attacks were horrible (big life changes can do that) to the point where I barely ate or slept. I lost weight that I shouldn't have and it took me months to get back on my feet, but now I am perfectly fine with some professional help. It won't feel like much progress until you look back at how you used to be. I know I didn't feel much different until a particular counseling session and then everything fell into place. It's a lot of work and patience, but it's more than worth it.

I admire your effort to deal with everything without medication, and I hope things continue to go well for you.

-HC
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