Is anyone else stuck in fight or flight?

[CDG]

Has anyone ever even heard of it?  I have suffered with it for 2 years.  It causes panic attacks, severe anxiety, adrenal fatigue etc..  Just looking for a way to get out of it or at the very least cope with it.  My skeletal muscles are stuck in sort of a seized position on one side.  This is as a result of this condition. My jaw is stuck on one side.  My adrenaline is constantly running.  I'm clumsy and listless.  Thoughts?

[kconnors]

Hello,

Fight or flight is the body-mind's reaction to anxiety . . . I experienced it continuously for years and still have episodes with it . . . .severe anxiety tells the body's physical system that it has to do something . . . .because the "danger" may not be real, it leaves the body in a confused state (you can tell that I am not a med professional by the way I look at things) . . . Mine was intensified because of an undiagnosed and unmanaged thyroid issue that would send me into episodes of overactivity . . . what I might suggest to you is my standard advice:  1) check yourself out with a med professional to ensure that you have no underlying med conditions (such as thyroid . . . you will probably return with a clean bill of health but if you are suffering from clinical adrenal fatigued, you may have to work with a med professional to help repair the adrenal functioning); 2) then ask for or go to a counselor . . . I say a counselor because they are more interested in working with you to development management techniques to recover from your symptoms. Now, I am not against meds as a bridge, but often a psychiatrist will recommend meds to alleviate the symptoms but, for me, folks really need management techniques; 3) work on diet, exercises, sleep, and mindfulness . . . . does not have to be radical, just start making small changes and build up . . . .this will also help to fight adrenal fatigue; 4) keep a journal to find out what triggers and/or intensifies the fight/flight reaction . . . this may take some time to unravel because you have been 2 years in the making of the reaction (which is relatively short time which is good as you might find the triggers more quickly); 5) if your doc tells you that your muscles are the result of the tension caused by anxiety which is often the case, discuss gentle stretching exercises that you might be able to do . . . the longer muscles are in a position, the more they remember that position to be the status quo so you need to teach your muscles a new way of being . . . your doctor may suggest or you suggest to your doctor working with a physiotherapist . . . you must learn how to do the stretches properly for the activity to have a positive effect . . . . you will not see changes overnight as with healing the mind, healing the body takes a bit of time. Remember that there is a mind-body connection so one will help the other; 6) as for the adrenaline constantly running . . . this may be something your doctor can help with and it may be something that you might need to use meds in the interim which you develop your management techniques . . .chat with your doctor; and 6) come here and let us know how you are doing . . . . the clumsiness and listlessness are probably side effects of your other issues . . . .we may not be able to give you a solution, but a lot of us have techniques that have worked for us and you might want to consider them as possibilities for yourself . . . .take care, kc

[london23]

i had this when my anxiety was it its highest..it was so draining having my adrenaline high all day..it would give me body aches and all sorts so i know what your talkin about

[mindfulness2013]

I'm constantly in fight or flight mode. My therapist always yells at me because I have my shoulders so tight up to my neck and shake my legs. I breath from my upper chest all day and have twitching all over my body. I'm so tired all the time from it. It's draining but u are not alone

[CDG]

Thanks for the replies.   Mine is at the highest state of fight or flight.  It is just stuck on.  Literally.  My adrenals are sapped.  I am no longer worried about the original trigger.  Yet it clinches down on my sinus and skeletal muscles causing the worst pain and anxiety.  My amygdala refuses to except that their is no threat.  It refuses to reset to anything lower than the highest jack.  The clinch has caused this stuck sensation leading from the top of my head through my sinus and cheek area down to the right side of my jaw.  Its almost like it just needs to pop or something and I would be fine.   This happened during a traumatic worry event which created a severe fight or flight reaction.  Kinda like stepping on the break while my foot was on the gas... but in my head. I feel it sort of releasing but, at a snails pace.  I have to take a pill to go to sleep.  I wake up with nausea and extremely painful sharp butterflies all over my body.  I have to dry heave just to feel better.  Eat.  Then go for a long walk.  To release endorphins.  Just to get through a portion of the day.  It slowly comes back.  All because my skeletal muscles refuse to release.  Its a nightmare.  I am to the point of not being able to function.  I cant seem to run across anyone who has experience the physiological symptoms I am experiencing.  Like I am the only one who has experienced that particular part.  This includes a... Neurologist, ENT, Holistic Chiropractor, Neuro Chiropractor, Sports Chiropractor and 2 GP's.   They can't seem to understand the most basic part... I'm simply stuck in fight or flight even though the event is over.  My anxiety is caused by this.  Not the other way around. 

[kconnors]

Hi,

I am a bit on unsteady grounds in suggesting this, but a friend did have success although it took a period of time with professional / certified hypnosis . . . .here in Canada it is called medical hypnosis and she worked with a medical physician specializing in psychotherapy . . . I guess what I am saying is that you need to be careful about who the person is that is doing the hypnosis, etc. so that the process benefits you. Perhaps hypnosis may help to break the cycle for you . . . take care, kc . . . p.s.  given that you have seen all these medical folks, did any of them suggest a beta blocker such as Propranolol to help to control the influx of adrenaline?

[CDG]

Nope.  The traditional medical side did not... Or much of anything for that matter.  It's almost like it has to be something that is easy to diagnose otherwise it's not worth their time.   Here is an antidepressant and call me in the morning.  Only I'm not depressed.  I can't understand why someone would prescribe something if they don't know what needs to be treated.  I had 2 MRI's and a ct scan and neither doctor got back with me.  I had to call them to remind.  $2000 later.  I'm at a very painful point and need someone to take a special interest in my case.

[kconnors]

Hi,

Another possible approach . . . there is a condition called Addison's that can be under- or not diagnosed (some docs don't believe in it apparently). I don't know but you may want to check out the Mayo Clinic . . . perhaps start at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/adrenal-fatigue/AN01583    . . . .  Addison's, for some, have connections to Graves Diseases (overactive thyroid) as well as adrenal fatigue. According to the Mayo Clinic, this condition can cause many if not all of your symptoms. I suggest the Mayo Clinic as the one in Minnesota (I don't know where you live) has a very vibrant Endocrinology Unit (http://www.mayoclinic.org/endocrinology-rst/ )  . . . .there may be other research universities closer to your home base. Again, wish I could be more help . . .take care, KC

[DanTheMan12]

Yeah, this sounds like my life as of current, as my anxiety has been at a high. I always feel overstimulated even though i'm exhausted from only getting 2-4 hours of sleep per night for the last week.

[CDG]

I'm trying fight or flight light therapy.  We shall see how it goes.