Onset of physical symptoms of anxiety

[Oscar]

I have been a sufferer of anxiety since childhood.  I had anxiety that I would consider mild  and severe in some occasions but I never had physical symptoms.  This happened about two years when I was having a lot of stress and I experienced my first panic attack. After that I started experiencing physical symptoms such as dizziness, dry mouth, insomnia, panic attacks, dp, dr, intrusive thoughts,  and so forth.  I was just curious when your physical symptoms started.  I developed GAD at age 41.  Your replies are appreciated.  Wish you well on your way to recovery.

[Squeemy]

My physical symptoms started when I was 30. I had Heart palpitations one day in the car while driving my little one to kinder. Then came vertigo, tingling clammy skin. I seriously thought I was having a heart attack. This occurred daily for about weeks after which the vertigo stopped but I was waking up all hours with panic attacks. All these symptoms disappeared for months. The one night when I was actually at a very happy place in life, my anxiety kicked in with vengeance. It started with this weird tingling zappy feeling at the back of my neck along with headaches. Then tingling & palpiations. Then insomnia & waking up in panic. This went on for months surviving on 2/3 hours broken sleep a night. Due to the night palpitations I developed a fear of sleep. I had lost so much weight & was exhausted. One night I ended up in the ER with blurred vision etc. They did a CT scan which came back normal.

I had to move in with my dad as I was scared to be alone (usually I love being alone). It was one of the darkest moments of my life. I eventually figured out finding out my  ex had been with another women the whole of our sons life hurt me more than I had thought & I had to start speaking to a psychologist & ensuring I had good supports. I started a gym & working out really helped alot.

Now nearly 2 years later, my anxiety is under control. I still worry about physical symptoms when I feel them but I can usually just move on. I find getting out of the house, working out & illuminating the people who make me feel anxious important. I have just recently been able to have a bath again, as my anxiety made the thought of laying alone in the tub with my thoughts unbearable. I know the anxiety is with me forever now but I try not to make it an enemy anymore. I just think no wonder i feel anxious, look what I've had to endure 

Well I hope this sniff of my story helps with yours. I read that anxiety usually had manifested by the 20s.... not in my case. My official diagnosis is G.A.D.

[ginnybean]

I am 39 and although now I belive I've had anxiety to a lesser degree since my early teens I was recently diagnosed with GAD.  The physical symptoms are what drove me to the Dr.  My first panic attack had me thinking I was having a severe allergic reaction to something.  My throat felt like it was swelling shut, my heart was punding out of my chest, I couldn't catch my breath and I turned bright red.  IT was frightening!  For me these physical symptoms like headaches, head pressure, fear of being alone, tight chest, etc.  only started this past October. 

[Oscar]

Thank you so much for your replies.  I appreciated.

[thesilentdiva]

What i now know as physical symptoms started for me when i was about 11. I would feel horrible every morning i had to go to school. I'd just started middle school and it was a different and disconcerting experience for me...i remember getting very nauseated every morning. i used to carry an empty baby wipe box around in my backpack just in case it struck at an odd time i could be ready. but then later in the day the feeling would go away. but every morn it would start again---rarely on weekends. then a few years later around 13-14 the lightheadedness. and from there other symptoms popped up.

i didnt know it was panic/anx at first. i thought it was maybe just something wrong w/ my stomach, or starting a new school but it stuck with me. some time during 7th grade the nausea part went away but i remember it popped up in other ways. ill be 30 this year and it's been a long road! but im better now that i understand it more...not great...but better