Something I am thinking about - Anxiety Message Board

missy101 · 09-09-2005, 02:23 PM

"I really believe that we anxiety sufferers are simply EXTEMLY sensitive to every change, touch, stimuli, chemical...everything that happens to and inside our bodies. I think we feel things that happen to everyone, but that most people never notice, they never feel it. There is some part of our brain that makes us more sensitive to these things. And subsequently it turns on the fight flight panic button and it is a vicious cycle."

This is part if what I said in another thread.

I am curious...those of you who suffer from panic/anxiety..do any of you also suffer from:

SVT/IST?

PVCs/PACs (palpitations, skipped heart beats, flutters)?

GERD (acid reflux - severe heartburn)?

IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)?

Headaches?

Allergies?

Fibromyalgia?

Chronic Pain?

Sensitive to medications/chemicals?

Very difficult child birth/labors?

eaap10 · 09-09-2005, 02:32 PM

All ov the above.... except childbirth problems...I'm a guy

mjewell · 09-09-2005, 02:34 PM

I would venture a guess that most everyone who experiences panic and extreme anxiety does have one or more of these symptoms because those symptoms are what causes the panic. I agree with you that we are more sensitive to those feelings and changes, but i do believe other people still feel them, they just don't overanalyze it - we do. I think THAT is the difference. For example, I do not get any of the derealisation, heart palps or chest pain panics that most of you get. I do feel those things from time to time but it doesn't bother me or send me into a panic, therefore it is not a problem for me. However, stomach issues DO send me into a panic. Most people that feel nauseous every now and again think nothing of it, whereas I get more and more anxious and make myself feel worse, terrified about throwing up, how do i get out of here, etc - spiraling anxiety!! Anywho, to answer your question, I get:

-Headaches, both migraine and tension
-tight muscles, particularly in the neck, shoulders and upper back
-fatigue
-nausea and stomach butterflies
-racing heart and hyperventilation, but only AFTER I start panicking
-diarrhea, indigestion, upset stomach and heartburn
-gagging
-I have noticed allergies in the last year but this is the first time in my life.

I am not at all senstitive to meds, in fact I have a very high tolerance for most drugs and alcohol.

missy101 · 09-09-2005, 02:40 PM

I do see what you are saying and I think that is probably what most ppl believe to be true. However, in talking to ppl who do not suffer from anxiety or related problems, I have found that they do not feel things that I feel. That it doesnt even register with them. Or they may feel it, but not enough so to remember or even recognize it as a thought. My hypothesis is that we feel these things stronger. Our bodies are more sensitive. So an increase in BP by 2 points would be unnoticable to Mr Non Anxiety, to Miss Anxiety, she may actually FEEL it. Or a tummy ache to a less sensitive person may not even be a thought, because it doesnt FEEL the same as it does to a very sensitive person. Know what I mean. I wish I was more educated so I could explain myself better LOL!!!

mjewell · 09-09-2005, 02:46 PM

I agree, I think we are on the same wavelength