New member! Need some advice!

Hi everyone,

new member and forum virgin here, so please bear with me if i post in the wrong place or make a few mistakes!

I've come to this website as i've been looking into anxiety for a while now, mainly because my symptoms seem to match and i want to get some help!

I've been experiencing a great deal of tiredness and dizziness for around 10 years now, at first it wasn't really noticeable and didn't effect me all that much, just felt like i needed a bit more sleep. But over the years i've felt like it's gotten worse.

I had a bit of an unstable upbringing (a fair share of deaths throughout my life, been in some very scary situations etc) which i believe is enough to cause some potential problems such as a different perspective and health issues due to stress.

The only thing i'm a bit stuck with is the general symptoms of anxiety seem to be panic attacks which cause dizziness, racing heart, worrying and scary thoughts, yet i don't think i have ever experienced a panic attack in my life, which makes me question whether what i have is anxiety. I feel tired and dizzy on a daily basis , not a fainting kind of dizzy but more of a fuzzy head, lethargic, like the type of feeling you get when you have a cold...a bit 'stuffy' if that makes sense. I can function and know what's going on around me but it's very off putting. The more research into anxiety i do, the more i wander if it is what i have. Does anxiety make you feel dizzy from waking up to going to sleep?
I do have worrying thoughts a lot, but mainly because i hate feeling like this all the time so i stress if i have to go out anywhere in case i faint which in turn makes me feel worse!
My thought pattern consists of: 'I feel dizzy, i feel tired, i have college, how do i get through the lesson whilst feeling like this, what if i faint during the lesson, what if i can't function during the lesson...'
My thought process in general is quite highly strung, i'm always thinking of the things i have to do, putting time constraints to everything, my mind never really switches off (i think its a control thing)
It goes on and on like that constantly. It seems that feeling this way is really starting to put a strain on me and it's impossible to ignore.
I've tried telling myself that i've never fainted and never will, that it's all in my head, i'm imagining it, i'm causing it myself, but nothing seems to actually get rid of it.

Just wondered if anyone has ever felt the same, or has any idea of what it might be?

Also, i went to the doctors yesterday and he has put me on beta blockers (Propanolol - 40mg x 2 a day) are these ok to take just for dizziness and tiredness, i mean, if i don't have anxiety is it still worth me taking them to see if they help me feel more alert?

Many thanks for any answers!

Hi Vikki and welcome.

I am sorry that you are dealing with all of these worries and symptoms at the moment.

It certainly sounds as if you are suffering with anxiety and its effects. It is good that you have seen your doctor...always a good first step, and he seems to concur with the conclusion that you are experiencing anxiety.

The medication question is a tricky one...while beta blockers can intially cause fatigue, as the body adjusts (they reduce heart rate and blood pressure) in the long run the med may help...since anxiety in and of itself is exhausting. Lower the anxiety = lowering the symptoms.

I think what will really help as well is practicing self-help stress reducing exercises. In our Resources (main page, 1st post) you will find great ideas. Breathing and relaxation exercises in the articles, links and videos will help if practiced daily. Meditation can be a real pick me up as well. There are also book recommendations, on-line therapy and more. Check it out and start trying some of the things that look interseting/helpful to you today!

Keep posting with us as well. We are here to understand and listen anytime.

Scaredy Cat