Anxiety - Bonsall,CA

Updated on April 07, 2011
J.M. asks from Fox River Grove, IL
6 answers

Can anxiety really cause you to "create" symptoms that you really don't have? I frequently have anxiety over health issues and I seem to actually develop the symptoms that I read about...I am talking about real pain etc that I can feel. For instance I have a fear of blood clots and sometimes my calf will hurt for days, or I am scared I am going to have a heart attack so my heart races for hours etc. And, if the anxiety itself can really produce symptoms as I have read that it can, how do you stop being anxious for long enough to let the symptoms go away, when you feeling the symptom is producing the anxiety? Any other mamas who have beat the feelings of being anxious and fearful I would love to know how you did it. I have been exercising for 2 days but haven't seen any help from that yet... I hate this feeling and want to feel normal again. Thanks!

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A.P.

answers from Gainesville on

Girl! You can't exercise for 2 days and expect to get benefits! It had to be a consistent part of your life. I would try yoga and stay for the relaxation and the end! Or try meditation there are some great guide ones out there in tunes try meditation oasis! Also stop looking up illnesses/ symptoms on the internetor watching TV shows that are medically related. You need to learn to let go of worry and affirm the positive. That you are healthy and happy, otherwise you are losing all this precious time worrying about stuff that may never happen...What a waste! Find a hobby something you love to do and enjoy it, this will keep your mind occupied! Good luck!

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J.B.

answers from Detroit on

Exercise always makes any of us feel better. Keep doing it when you do it releases things into your system to help you feel better. You can and do have real pain and symptoms when you suffer from anxiety. I never had it until about a year ago and it is TERRIBLE I have never felt so bad in my entire life. Going to a therapist helps a lot. You might want to be evaluated also by a Psychiatrist to make sure nothing else is going on. I know exactly how you feel I hate anxiety too thank God mine is almost gone completely I thought I was going to feel like that forever but after about 3 sessions the anxiety was almost gone. Drinking Camomile and Decaf Green Tea help also. When I would feel an attack coming on I would play solitair on the computer and that really helped me. You just have to find something that relaxes you and gets your mind off of those feelings of dying and aches and pains. Good Luck.

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N.D.

answers from Benton Harbor on

I suffer from this too it is terrible. Try writing down your fears then you can look back and see that you have had this before and nothing happened. For example: April 6th, chest pain, shortness of breath, fear of heart attack. Outcome: next day felt fine. Must have been anxiety over upcoming trip.

This can help to reassure you that you will be fine.

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S.H.

answers from Phoenix on

Yes to all of your questions. I am the same way....a tried and true hypochondriac. Honestly, admiting you have a problem is the first, and biggest step. There is help. Books do great, let you know that you are not alone and that it is your anxiety. But they were not enough for me. I know it is a lot for some people to see a therapist, but when you find the right one, it is so great. I was like you, and worse probably, and I got to a point where it was not taking over my life, where I didn't think about it for days. (however, since my mom passed, things are hard again). It is not something I would say you get rid of. You learn how to manage it, and life is great. Then life throws you a curve ball and it may creep back towards you.

I also swear by yoga. Exercize in a loud thumping dance class is out of the question for me. I love yoga. I needed that quiet balanced time for me. Self care is a lot of management of anxiety.

There is no way I would be where I am without seeing a therapist. Talk to friends about it (there are many more of us than you would expect). Get recommendations to therapists to try. Don't settle on the first one you go to if you don't think it is the right fit.

Good luck!!

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R.S.

answers from San Antonio on

Run to not walk to your nearest bookstore and buy the book "Hope and Help for Your Nerves" by Dr. Claire Weekes.

She explains how your nervous system can become so sensitized to itself that yes, you can create "symptoms" where there is no health issue whatsoever. But there are only so many symptoms your body can create and none of them will harm you in the least.

I suffered from panic attacks and health anxiety for years until I found this wonderful doctor's book. She explains it all, it is easy to read, and it will calm your nerves. You can message me if you would like...hugs!!

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P.O.

answers from Harrisburg on

You have to literally take your mind off of the subject area and talk to yourself and say "I am well". Think about something else.

The stress that it takes to focus on that one area gives headaches, forces all your body chemicals to react to that area and I believe to some extent make matters worse. It does not mean you may not have legitimate pain but because you are worrying so much about what that "pain" could be, you stress yourself, focus too much on it, and then stress your body and not give yourself the time it needs to heal the actual pain.

So from now on, when you are fearful about what you think the health issue might be, get the facts so that you have legitimate concern, see the doctor if you have to and try your best not to FOCUS on it so much, think on other things and trust yourself that it will be ok and that you do not have what you think you have unless it truly manifests itself.

So if you think you have high blood pressure, don't start worrying IF you have HBP and begin to let your mind run wild trying to see all the things that could happen IF you did have it (stressing yourself out AND causing the high blood pressure) rather take your blood pressure and confirm that it IS high and then do something about it and ease your mind.

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