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Can a virus cause anxiety?

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Posted 10/4/2014 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
I never had anxiety attacks before this fall. Almost a year ago, I had a weekend virus that left me feeling ill with a low fever. I had the fever all winter. I went through BPPV, vertigo, problems with my vision, and GERD. The physical symptoms are just about gone but I am left with this unexplained anxiety. I am on Paxil and Lamictal which have helped some. I am able to get back to work. The worst time is still early morning. Could my virus of almost a year ago cause this anxiety?
Posted 10/4/2014 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
Yes. In my opinion. I'm not a doctor though. You are likely having a mild form of ptsd from the mystery virus. I'm sure it was very upsetting but during it, you were fighting to get better and didn't have time to worry about your worry if that makes sense.

I've read several stories on this forum of people getting anxiety/depression *after* an illness. Some even after taking care of an ill family member. My best friend cared for her dying mother who had cancer with strength I'd never seen before. After her mother passed, she had a meltdown. Of course much of that was grief but she wasn't having issues during her moms care and that's was brutally stressful.

Also, it's a documented fact some ppl after having had surgery, even if minor, can get depressed afterwards. Even something simple like lasik surgery. I'd say surgery is the same concept of an illness, no matter how major or minor both are.

I've no doubt you'll get back on your feet soon enough. I know it's frustrating, especially if you'd never had anything like this before.

I also promote therapy (I like psychotherapy), as one of several coping skills. Have you considered that or are you in it now? Hang in there. It will pass.

Sending love-
Lisa
Posted 10/4/2014 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hello CD,

I follow your posts and just want to offer you my encouragement and support!

I am no doctor either, but like Lisa said, it is documented that anxiety can be caused after and/or during an illness. Heck, we have an anxiety disorder. Anything involved in our health at all can make our anxiety sky rocket. I've been known to have an anxiety spike after a few coughs or hiccups!

As always, God bless!
Posted 10/5/2014 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
people are making real good sense. i send you many healing thoughts.
Posted 10/5/2014 9:49 AM (GMT 0)
I woke up this morning without the usual morning anxiety. So now I am my own worst enemy, trying to create anxiety where there is none. How do you get those thoughts out of your head?
Posted 10/5/2014 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
A For me, the thoughts don't really go away until I stop believing them. When I have an anxious thought, I either tell myself it's anxiety and it eventually goes by the wayside or I believe it and the anxiety stays and it turns into panic sometimes, which then I take a xanax. It is very hard to not believe myself when my body is screaming "I'm scared!" But I know I have anxiety because of fear and a giant imagination. We believe what we tell ourselves, good or bad. I try so very hard to be positive with myself (this is something I am not always comfortable with, but I am learning), congratulate myself for small victories. I still struggle on a daily basis. I am a work in progress, therefore I try to cut myself some slack and not to get too down on myself. It doesn't always work, as I have had a couple of setback (which really sting when you're doing good) and chances are I might have more. But I pick myself up, not because I want to, but because I have to. We will get through this. That I do believe.
Posted 10/5/2014 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
Circus Dog-

I can't remember if you're seeing a therapist or not? If not, do you have insurance to see one? A good one is trained to help us change our thought patterns. I too have a vivid imagination. I go straight from 0 to 100 aka worst case scenario. I don't know where I learned this but I do know anxiety is very treatable with changing our thought patterns.

You said you'd never had anxiety til this past year? You are so lucky lol but that also means you don't have years of thought patterns to correct which may make therapy even more effective! How old are you if I may ask? I might have asked before but I can't recall. I'm wanting to think you're in your 50's maybe? I'm 43.

I'm so glad you've had peace this morning. Soak it up and enjoy it! Also, there are good resources and information about helping anxiety and teaching coping skills to change they way we think.

Sending you more peace today!

Lisa
Posted 10/5/2014 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Lisa, I just turned 60, another reason to increase the anxiety. I have had anxious moments in the past but not like this, not constant. Yes, I am going to therapy. My loved therapist retired so I am breaking in a new one. We are not quite on the same page yet. Yes, I have to work on changing thought patterns. I have a stressful week coming up at work, good stress but still stress so I am trying to spend today relaxing and doing good things for myself.
Posted 10/5/2014 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
Circus Dog- I didn't mean to imply you're lucky just bc you'd never had anxiety before this year as anxiety, any time, stinks. Even those of us who've had it many times, each time feels terrible as if it was the first time. It's not something I've ever been able to "get used to."

I'm planning on learning better coping skills to implement, however, with my new psychotherapist. I can't wait- I wish I could see him 5 days a week! smilewinkgrin

Sending love-
Lisa
Posted 10/5/2014 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
I was replying as you were lol. I now see you've had anxiety before, just none that lingered. That lingering stuff is for. the. birds. It's always been my experience, when it lingers like it has this year for me, I need an AD to get me back on my feet. Reason being is that I get very depressed and upset at the lingering. A panic attack is horrible but at least 99.9% of the time, they go away unlike the lingering junk that hovers like a black cloud.

60 + mystery virus = maybe it made you think of age/mortality, idk. I had a very hard time turning 40. Milestone bdays can certainly affect us.

Finding a new therapist after a beloved one retires is scary! I just switched to a new one 3 weeks ago after having had the same one for 6 years. The old one wasn't cutting it anymore. I kinda felt it all this year but didn't know how to "break up" with him! Insurance actually intervened and said he was not meeting their criteria (surprise!), so it was the perfect time to end it with him. By the Grace of God, I stumbled upon a psychotherapist that was on my ins provider list & I'm really connecting with him.

With a bit more time, hopefully you connect with your new therapist. If not, find another one! We are here to support you as always too!!

Sending Love-
Lisa
Posted 10/5/2014 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
I start with a new therapist this week. I have seen my one and only therapist for six year too, and he is retiring (though I swear he is way to young to retire). Crossing my fingers that I get another good one:)
Posted 10/5/2014 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
I have been lucky that my therapist has become a friend so I can still have tea with her.
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