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What does your anxiety panic attack or generalized anxiety feel like?

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 9/28/2016 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
It helps me to see what other feel, I guess so I don't feel so alone. So I will start. I have generalized anxiety and it really makes me tired most days with lack of energy and my eyes always feel tired. My stomach usually has either cramps, bloating or always something it seems. My head feels full and my ears will feel pressure which really scares me, so I will put a piece of cotton in one ear to balance out,, I know.. weird. Sometimes I feel really energetic and super happy and at peace with my body, and then BAM, I will feel something strange, some strange bodily sensation and my mind tells me, " your not healthy, somethings not right".

Then there is the panic attacks, they usually rear their ugly heads while shopping or running errands, that is when I leave the house, because usually I just stay home, my safe place where if they do rear their ugly heads, I can feel more secure. The panic attack makes me feel numb, tingly, nauseous, faint, sweaty, just plain uncomfortable. It also keeps me a prisoner to my homes, missing out on parties, social gatherings of any kind.

The depression. The depression is always there, like a dark entity following me, sitting on me, squeezing me, taunting me. It zaps my energy, ruins my happiness, makes me look in the mirror and see my narcissistic mother staring back at me. I see the depression in my eyes, the lack a light, no twinkle, they are just brown and the colors of fall that they used to shine are gone. That's my anxiety, panic and depression in a nut shell.
Posted 9/28/2016 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
DS,

I can relate to the 'eyes feeling tired'! Sometimes its like I just want to lay my head down and close them. Gastro distress is another one that resonates with me. Dizziness is a transient but consistent symptom as well...

...yeah, any 'off' feeling can be a trigger for my health related worries.

Positive mantras and continuing to push through until I find the challenges fading is crucial for me...

Keep working towards your recovery goals...it is a process.

S.C.
Posted 9/28/2016 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
Interesting discussion Deborah!

Anxiety to me feels like a big wave of energy/nervousness coming from my stomach up through my chest, through my head, and down my arms. I get shakey and nervous all around.

An actual panic attack feels like I need to escape, it's hard to control my body, back of my head and face get tingly, and of course the rapid breathing.

Any depression is just lack of enjoyment in things I used to enjoy. And lack of motivation - not physically unable to do things but getting geared up to do something takes twice as long as the actual task.
Posted 9/29/2016 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Deb,

It totally helps me, too, to hear other people's experiences with anxiety.

Mine gets me usually when I'm out in public...in a busy restaurant, or shopping center, market, etc. I get tunnel vision, and get really shaky and a general feeling of fear. Sometimes like my chest is caving in.

Day to day it sort of just lays dormant...waiting to attack at any moment.
I certainly prefer to stay at home as well. It's where I feel safest and most comfortable.
Posted 9/29/2016 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Good thread--really helps me too to hear others experience.(not that I wish these feelings on anyone else, but at the same time I know I am not the only one with these problems and it helps not to feel so alone)

Not panic attacks, but anxiety feels like it just comes over me at times and I always think of the worst that can happen. Headaches usually come afterwords. Tummy problems too -- if I am very anxious I can't eat. When we were in the process of moving I lost 10 lbs, but now that has evened out.
Depression is more constant. Need to cope with it everyday. The lack of interest and energy to do anything is the worst part. Helps to be outside if it is nice weather, or taking care of plants. Just get so tired of dealing with depression for so long.
Posted 9/30/2016 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
On good days I feel ok but always on edge for that flash of something that will set off my anxiety. Guess that is called fear of fear.

Bad days, off balance, stomach pain, headache, dizzy, shaky, breathing wrong so my lungs hurt, lack of sleep, and sad.
Posted 10/2/2016 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
I am new to this site, i found it as i desperatley typed into google for help understanding why i feel so ill after a whole weekend of accute anxiety, I have hidden my anxiety so well from family and friends for so long , but i am so fed up with making excuses for not feeling normal and reading some of these posts has helped .... a bit thank god i have a day off work tomorrow to try and recuperate from the weekend of hell 😕
Posted 10/2/2016 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi gilly and welcome!

I am sorry to hear that you had a rough weekend.:( I understand and am sending my encouragement your way.

However, it is good to see you posting and reaching out to others. I truly believe support is essential!

Please visit our Resources at the top of the main forum page here for great self help material. Practicing the suggested exercises daily will make a big difference in how you feel.

Keep posting with us as well if you find it helpful. ..

...and consider starting an introduction thread for yourself, telling us more about you! :)

Talk soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 10/5/2016 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
I can feel mine build, sometimes I can talk them down. Heart races, dizzy, chest pressure.. palps etc.. Panic feels like you are drowning.
Posted 10/6/2016 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
Alright, my input!

1 year ago - I suffered a panic attack in the night after falling asleep in a foreign land(J.A.P.A.N) and i freaked out, cycled(woah) to the hospital and told them i'm dying. So they told me to sit down and asked how i got there, I said I cycled and they left me there alone :[.

Fast forward to today. I'm at 2 panic attacks 1 full blown 1 80%(May'16). My anxiety symptoms are non-exhaustive and is a huge list. I get dizzy spells, dilated vision(Feels like blurry but when u look at something u can see it clearly), Heart palps, "Blood rushing through veins"?, stomach cramps, sore muscles, jelly legs sometimes, shakiness, cold sweat, hot flushes, ringing in my ears, random pains/aches, teeth grinding.

Usually I'm okay, I'm enjoying life and all, talking to people and having fun. But suddenly, just suddenly it comes. Something's not right, something is wrong with my body. Wait, I seem dizzy(Symptom), Oh no what's going on, lemme concentrate and check. Oh no I'm dizzy, what's happening(Fear). And then i excuse myself, and walk around, distract myself with things or positive mantra. The fear is the part which gets me(Pretty sure everyone else that has anxiety/PD would be the same).

But hey, We're the chosen ones picked to handle the obstacles of life that no other can have an opportunity to! It's not like we have a choice but we're way stronger mentally!

Cheers!
The asian man-brute - Rei
Posted 10/6/2016 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
My anxiety seems to manifest itself in a new way just when i think i have conqured one symptom.(or at least getting it under some kind of control) Its as though its throwing a new thing for me to deal with just when i think im feeling good. I have had 2 meetings this week and i had to get up and leave at both of them , sweating, couldnt breath, feeling dizzy, faint, tunnel vision, then i start shifting in my seat , getting twitchy and no way can i speak or think i cant. BUT WHEN im not in an anxious state i can lead the meeting without batting an eyelid....... It takes a couple uneventful meetings to take away the fear of the next... then wham its there again rearing its ugly head. I know the triggers but cannot control them xx
Posted 10/7/2016 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
I typically get 2 types of panic attacks. One is the, I guess, more typical. Limbs go numb. Can't breathe. Rapid heart beat. Fear. Shaking. And the other (the one I've had more frequently) is the crying, holding in my breath, and tremors and not being able to move. I won't be able to control the shaking in my arms or legs. I'll feel literally frozen to the floor, couch, bed - wherever I am situated and I will feel like there is a 500 lb blanket on me and I cannot move. I don't know which ones are worse.
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