HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Panic/anxiety disorder and head numbness

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/21/2012 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
I have recently been diagnosed with a panic disorder. To give a little bit of background, I have been experiencing panic attacks since I have been 12, but was never diagnosed with the disorder till about 2 months ago (I'm 20 now). I know what it's like to have a panic attack( shortness of breath, heart pounding, feeling like ur dying, and of course crying and shaking). What has me worried it the symptoms I get when I'm not have an attack. It's all progressed since about 2 months ago, I got a sinus infection ( I got antibiotics and I'm assuming the infection went away). But the pressure in my head never went away, then my ears kept hurting, then a week later I started getting sharp head pains (like an ice pick headache) and they were happening often and everytime they happened it get an extreme panic attack to the point of feeling faint, etc. I went to the doctor got blood work done and an MRI of my head everything came back normal. So I thought the anxiety would go away knowing I'm "healthy". But they didn't so I got on Xanax and I'm still not myself. I have been experiencing dizziness and head numbness(and it's freaking me out). It happens when I laugh or bite down on my teeth... Anything I do triggers this symptom. Is this related to anxiety? Has anyone ever experienced this? How do I make myself well again? (I moved out with my bf 6 months ago, and had to transfer jobs) my doc thinks that, making such a drastic change in my life brought out the anxiety. I just don't know what to think. Oh and I have been experience numbness in my hands fingers and legs.
Posted 12/22/2012 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi anon and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of your recent increase in symptoms. I am glad that you had everything checked out from a medical standpoint...good job as that is always wise, and a good place to start.

Since you have been given a clean bill of health, then it is probably a good idea to focus on anxiety manangement. What if anything have you tried in the past? What worked best for you?

If you have not sought any formal treatment, then I would encourage you to do so.

I used to have panic attacks as well, but went through therapy and have recovered from them. Now, I still do get random, transient symptoms here and there...but I now have the skills to manage them really well.:)

Medication is another form of treatment that works well for a lot of people, and you can discuss both meds and therapy with your doctor, and he/she should be able to help.

Self help is another idea, and we have plenty of information and links in our Resource Guide (main page, 1st post) that you can get started with right away if you like.

A lot of the symptoms that you describe could be from hyperventilating (often we are unaware that we are not breathing properly!) so you may want to give the breathing exercises a try.

Keep posting with us if you find it helpful. We are a group who understands each other and cares!

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 12/22/2012 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
Self positive talk used to help me with the attacks but since they have worsened nothing seems to help unless I have someone I am close to there to help me through them, I am on meds and they seemed to help at first but now they don't. Im really scared of the head numbness I can't seem to focus. It like shocks my head an then goes numb. Thanks for ur response.
Posted 12/22/2012 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
Well, try the breathing exercises and see if you notice any improvement...

You may also want to have a medication consult appointment with your doctor to see if you need to reevaluate your Rx needs. Sometimes for no apparent reason, a med will cease to work for you, and a change...or just an increase in dosage may be in order.

Keep posting.:)

S.C.
Posted 12/22/2012 5:59 AM (GMT 0)
Good news is you got a clean bill of health :) when you mentioned it happens when you smile or bite down it makes me think of TMJ issues and those can cause headaches and weird head twinges. Does your jaw ever pop?
Posted 12/22/2012 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes I'll hear a click or pop but not all the time
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply