Ever since I started having hot flashes, I'm hyper aware of my temp!

[phix95]

The temp of my face mostly. Like if it's not cool or there's no cool breeze, I don't feel comfortable at all. How do I get over this? My psych upped my Prozac back to 40 mg from 20. This thing is all I can think about and it's freaky!

[jane134]

Hi Phix,

Hot flashes are just another symptom of anxiety. Its a common one. Like most anxiety symptoms, the more you focus on them, the longer they tend to stick around, and often magnify. Try to take your mind off it. When you feel like you are about to start obsessing over it, distract yourself with something like some chores, a puzzle, reading (a book - not google!) I know its hard, but it can be done.

[phix95]

I'm pretty sure they are actual hot flashes. The problem is I'm obsessed now on staying cool, like obsessive compulsive.

[blugurrl]

That is because hot flashes suck and are scary and aggravate panic/anxiety.  I get them too and when I feel the least bit hot I get anxious that I am getting a hot flash and want it to stop. Also if my emotions elevate where normally you get warmer it triggers them so I get mad at my body. So I get it I would be obsessed with staying cool too to keep them at bay and I do it too, to a certain extent I worry if I start to get too warm or if the weather report says it will be hot out.  But in all honestly I get hot flashes not matter what the temp is and it sucks.

[phix95]

I can see feeling anxious can exacerbate them, also being hot. But now it's just no matter what, no matter how calm I am, I need to feel cool--its almost unrelated to hot flashes now--a thing of its own. I don't know how to stop the thoughts.

[LindaRK]

Are you hot flashes perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms?  Or anxiety-related?

When I first started getting meno hot flashes, it really raised my anxiety - at first anyway.  I ended up going on estrogen, because I was having to change my pj's 3 times a night and sometimes change clothing during the day they were so bad!  I still sometimes get a hot flash in the face now, but I can attribute it to something and it really helps.  I know it's not anxiety related - it's hormonal and completely safe and natural.