Can this be caused by anxiety? How long to anxiety's physical symptoms last?

[flawless51]

Hi everyone! Every year from about February to April I experience terrible anxiety, starting with panic attacks, tapering off to general anxiety, and eventually disappating over the summer. This year however, has been particularly bad, with the worst panic attacks I've ever had along with months of very strong general anxiety and some depression. In the middle of all this, I decided to quit caffeine, and was still feeling anxiety just as bad, but it made my heart pound a lot less and of course I felt more tired. This is when I started to feel all kinds of strange sensations. I had this strange itching and crawling feeling, at first in my torso, then for a couple weeks in my legs (most annoying!), then in my arms & hands. This eventually went away, and I had cycles of weird symptoms, including a 10 day tension headache (never happened to me before), I lost my sensation of temperature for a few days (everything felt icy cold), burning sensation in hands and feet, a taste of salt in my mouth no matter what I ate, and neck jerking along with over-reacting reflexes.

My feelings of anxiety are all gone now, yet my body - mostly my neck - keeps jerking! When I move a limb, it moves more than I intend it to, in a jerking motion.  It's jerking my head in different directions. It's really annoying, and somewhat concerning. I've seen my doctor and a family friend doctor about this, and they didn't seem terribly concerned, but I was sent to a physiatrist who did an EMG and nerve conduction which was tested fine. He booked me for a brain MRI for in two weeks, but he said he didn't expect for it to find anything. Doctors seem to think this is from anxiety... which is understandable since this all originated with anxiety. But now I'm not feeling nervous/anxious and I still have symptoms.. what gives?

Has anyone else experienced similar symptoms? Can this be from anxiety (even though I'm not feeling anxiety now)? How long do anxiety's physical symptoms last?

[apple]

Everyone is different as to how long anxiety symptoms last.  Do you think you have seasonal anxiety?  It may be that you can treat it during those hard months every year.  Maybe you can treat it and never have it again.  It is good to get the tests to make sure it is anxiety you are treating.

[Otto]

I used to experience anxiety during spring semester in college which seems to corelate to the months you mentioned.  I always remembered feeling great in the fall - I think it had to do with the begining of a new year and all the possibilities it contained.  I also love the weather at that time.  In the spring it always seemed like things were winding down and people were preparing to move on with other things.  I think my problem was that I wanted to hang on to the fall and the feeling of transition felt like others were pulling ahead while I was lagging behind.  There were of course new possibilities in the fall however they existed within a structure (classes, homework, activities etc.) where I felt comfortable.  The new possibilities of the spring were less structured - it meant I had to go out into the world and get a job.  Rather than having a schedule laid out for me I would have to create a schedule for myself.  I think this unknown, unstructured world where I would be responsible for myself was the cause of my anxiety.

I'm not sure about what you are experiencing but it seemed like there might be a similarity.

I wish you well.

[flawless51]

I used to experience anxiety during spring semester in college which seems to corelate to the months you mentioned.  I always remembered feeling great in the fall - I think it had to do with the begining of a new year and all the possibilities it contained.  I also love the weather at that time.  In the spring it always seemed like things were winding down and people were preparing to move on with other things.  I think my problem was that I wanted to hang on to the fall and the feeling of transition felt like others were pulling ahead while I was lagging behind.  There were of course new possibilities in the fall however they existed within a structure (classes, homework, activities etc.) where I felt comfortable.  The new possibilities of the spring were less structured - it meant I had to go out into the world and get a job.  Rather than having a schedule laid out for me I would have to create a schedule for myself.  I think this unknown, unstructured world where I would be responsible for myself was the cause of my anxiety.

I'm not sure about what you are experiencing but it seemed like there might be a similarity.

I wish you well.

What you say really rings true with me actually. I'm in university right now, and I can really relate with what you're saying. This year's bad anxiety started in March, just as the year was coming to a close. I never really related it to that, but come to think of it, it's really true. I just hope these physical symptoms go away soon.

Thanks for your wishes!

[chinacat]

I also had bad anxiety during my college years.  I used to get terrible migraines the last 2-3 weeks of each semester.  Now that I'm out of school I get more of what you get now.  I get the tingling and the sensitivity.  MRI's are very accurate and will show anything to be concerned about.  Also, if your doctors are not overly concerned, it is probably because there is nothing urgent to tend to.  They may find something minor, but it is by no means life threatening.  Relax and just work on your anxiety like you have in the past.  You sound like so many on this site.  We know what you are going through and wish you didn't have to.  Stay strong.   

[Daisylen]

Flawless51, I'm wondering if its allergies that are triggering your anxiety given that it's worse at the beginning of Sping.  Do you have any other allergy symptoms?  My allergies are always worse at that time of the year, and I get run down, so I am more susceptible to anxiety. 

I also believe that their is a connection between allergies and anxiety in general.  In my own case, I've been diagnosed with food allergies and discovered they trigger my allergy attacks.  I've also had some anxiety attacks after being exposed to things in the environment.  For example, they painted something near me at work, and later not only was my breathing effected, I also felt intense anxiety.    I've also found that when I am more congested, my anxiety is worse. 

Given the time of year your anxiety is worse, it might be something in the air (pollen, etc.) that is triggering your anxiety. 

[Xalatimo]

How long symptoms last varies from person to person.  Some people have symptoms for only seconds while others have symptoms for weeks, months, etc.  What complicates the issue is that you don't have to feel mentally anxious in order to have symptoms.  But I think the faster you accept that the symptoms are just anxiety-related, the better off you are and the sooner the symptoms will fade away.

[flawless51]

Thanks everyone for your replies! They've been of great help.

Flawless51, I'm wondering if its allergies that are triggering your anxiety given that it's worse at the beginning of Sping.  Do you have any other allergy symptoms?  My allergies are always worse at that time of the year, and I get run down, so I am more susceptible to anxiety. 

I also believe that their is a connection between allergies and anxiety in general.  In my own case, I've been diagnosed with food allergies and discovered they trigger my allergy attacks.  I've also had some anxiety attacks after being exposed to things in the environment.  For example, they painted something near me at work, and later not only was my breathing effected, I also felt intense anxiety.    I've also found that when I am more congested, my anxiety is worse. 

Given the time of year your anxiety is worse, it might be something in the air (pollen, etc.) that is triggering your anxiety. 

That's a good point actually. I've never really had allergies as badly as many others, but the other day I went to an allergy specialist about a food allergy concern, and it turns out that I'm also allergic to every environmental allergy I was tested for.

[paddyshack]

Thanks everyone for your replies! They've been of great help.

Flawless51, I'm wondering if its allergies that are triggering your anxiety given that it's worse at the beginning of Sping.  Do you have any other allergy symptoms?  My allergies are always worse at that time of the year, and I get run down, so I am more susceptible to anxiety. 

I also believe that their is a connection between allergies and anxiety in general.  In my own case, I've been diagnosed with food allergies and discovered they trigger my allergy attacks.  I've also had some anxiety attacks after being exposed to things in the environment.  For example, they painted something near me at work, and later not only was my breathing effected, I also felt intense anxiety.    I've also found that when I am more congested, my anxiety is worse. 

Given the time of year your anxiety is worse, it might be something in the air (pollen, etc.) that is triggering your anxiety. 

That's a good point actually. I've never really had allergies as badly as many others, but the other day I went to an allergy specialist about a food allergy concern, and it turns out that I'm also allergic to every environmental allergy I was tested for.

Just speaking from my experience, I'd be careful about the allergy testing.  I've been diagnosed with all kinds of allergies over the years (although not by MDs) using what I now consider questionable techniques.  That included being tested as allergic to glutin prior to living 6 months in Italy.  You can imagine that I wasn't very happy to later discover that the this wasn't the case (and missing out on all that great pasta, pizza, etc), but rather rooted in anxiety.  I'm not saying you aren't, but just be careful.  My guess would be that the seasonal attacks are due to subconcious reminders that come at that tiime of year to the original one.  Its just like spacial triggers (e.g. locations where you've had attacks) - it could be the smells of that time of year - anything! that remindes you subconciously of previous attacks and brings on another one.

I would not understimate the power of stress to manifest itself in psyiological symptoms.  After all, stress-induced migranes can last for days, and reoccur often.  It seems logical therefore that muscle twitches (all part of the nervious system) could also linger and reoccur.

[laura124]

How long symptoms last varies from person to person.  Some people have symptoms for only seconds while others have symptoms for weeks, months, etc.  What complicates the issue is that you don't have to feel mentally anxious in order to have symptoms.  But I think the faster you accept that the symptoms are just anxiety-related, the better off you are and the sooner the symptoms will fade away.

You must be a veteran anxiety sufferer...you make a lot of sense!  I was in the health anxiety forum but I think I belong here.  I posted my story/concerns on that forum and only one person responded (I think people on that website are too concerned with the shape and color of their poop).  But that person that responded had some very insightful advice.  He said that basically anxiety is anxiety--wether health, social, etc.  And that anxiety sufferers share a commonality in that they dwell on the "what ifs" and the worse scenarios.  Once you recognize that negative thought pattern, you can try to change it.  Only it's not that easy.  I don't want to be one of those people that worries about everything for the rest of my life....so how do we beat it?  How do you look at the glass as "half FULL" as opposed to "half empty"?  How do you get rid of that feeling of dread and fear that it could be you or someone you love?  How do you get that feeling of contentment back into your life?
P.S.  I'm not undermining those panicking about their health and symptoms--I've been there, too.  I'm just at a different phase of my anxiety where I recognize the panic as part of anxiety.  Believe me, I'm a pretty healthy person...I haven't had a cold in like a year...but actually getting a minor illness can throw me into a major meltdown!

[bettys814]

  How do you get rid of that feeling of dread and fear that it could be you or someone you love?  How do you get that feeling of contentment back into your life?

[/quote]

If you find the answer to that I would like to know it LOL   My mental anxiety level has been just fine for months, and still the physical stuff lingers...........So the worry lurks in the background that the anxiety is gonna come back full force someday.  Kind of hard to go back to the way you used to be when your brain is wrapping around the  negativity. 

[apple]

For me it has been years of figuring out my anxiety.  I have had anxiety, panic and depression since I was about 16, but I think it can also help those who have suffered for a short time or off and on.  I have listed and wrote about my anxiety and attacks, what I did before it, what I ate, how I felt during and what happened after.  I have followed my symptoms and concluded the new ones when they appear and the doctor rules out anything else.

I think the hard part of health anxiety is that you get stuck because the physical symptoms do not go away, or do but a new one arises.  For me NOW...I know what my symptoms are, I am not afraid anymore, I hate them but I know I will deal with this forever.  I did the CBT and that helped me the most with stopping my own thoughts from bringing on a lot of my symptoms.  I also finally found the right med that controls my anxiety quite well.  And I just try to go thru the symptoms as they come along.

I have stopped trying to figure out why I have it.  Or when/if it will end.  I have accepted that anxiety is a part of my life, and I have to endure...and just keep finding new ways to get thru it.  And when I feel real good...I go head on and make the most of it, and make up for it!!

I have to pound into my head...do not worry now, everything is fine now, wait until there really is reason to worry.  Do not waste healthy time on something that is not happening yet.  When the time comes I will deal with it..until then, enjoy the fact that everything really is ok.

Dont know if this will help anyone...its just what helps me

[bettys814]

Thanks Apple   

[olguita13]

 
Thank u guys so much!  You have given insight I didn't have before just now.  Will look into the allergies issue, never has been brought up with my doctors.  I have been trying to cope with my anxiety since Nov. 07.   I guess I have always been a worrier but nothing compares to what I'm going through now.  I'm sorry any one of us has to deal with this but i'm glad there is a forum like this.  My best to all!