Anxiety ruining my life!
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi
I have suffered GAD for a very long time on and off, primarily health anxiety focused on my heart. Lately I have felt better in myself, a bit more relaxed and upbeat and have had less anxiety symptoms. Last night however I woke with a headache at the back of my head. Obviously tension as my shoulders felt stiff when I went to bed. I took a couple of painkillers and went back to bed. After about 30 mins headache started to ease but out of nowhere I had a awful feeling that I couldnt breathe properly so I sat up and my heart started racing, I started shaking and felt light headed. I went to bathroom and managed to calm myself down but then everytime I was close to sleep I felt like I couldnt breathe properly again! Ive never had this during the night before. Usually I am calmest in bed. So today my anxiety is back through the roof and I feel like Im back to square one. Im so fed up of feeling like this. I just want to be happy and live a normal life! Also I keep focussing on the fact that when I have BP done at docs it is usually 140/90 or 140/80. Doctor said its borderline and not immediately worrying but my anxiety at present is making me think my headache is due to BP. Please help x
0 likes, 4 replies
mac58 jen1978
Posted
A BP of 140 as the top number indicates anxiety. It's the bottom line that shows what the heart is doing.
A bottom number of 90 or above can mean that you would need medication, but it depends on your age and any other medical conditions. I wouldn't be worrying about it at all. Mine is the same. I don't even think about it and I suggest you take that approach to your BP as well. Your doctor will know when and if it is time to treat it.
The generalised anxiety is a tricky one. Usually, therapy is the best solution. There are also plenty of you tube videos on meditation and breathing which are excellent.
You're not alone. Many people have this problem.
mac58 jen1978
Posted
Sorry, Jen, I forgot to mention the breathing thing. I'm sure you know that this is also related to anxiety. It seems like you are focusing on your BP and headache right now, so you're getting the breathing thing in response.
cfiddy79 jen1978
Posted
Oh Jen, I totally have experienced what you did last night where you are on the verge of sleep and then jolt awake in panic because you can't breathe. It was just a bad night. When you woke up and were panicked so badly, your body just didn't let that go as quickly as your mind tried to. When you get so worked up, it is very hard to relax right away and get back to sleep. I am guessing tonight you will be ok and fall asleep without a problem. Try not to let this follow you all day. You are perpetuating your own anxiety by saying things how you feel better at night. Anxiety is a jerk and it will attack you when you least expect it! Try to keep yourself calm with whatever strategy you used to calm down last night! Best of luck!
Miranda123 jen1978
Posted
Bless you, i know the feeling of thinking you are almost at the point where anxiety isn't going to part of your life for much longer. I am at the same point.
I have a breathing obsession too - constant tight chest and feeling as though i cant get enough oxygen. Have you read any self help books at all? I recommend DARE by Barry Mcdonagh if you are having physical symptoms, he teaches a great technique to deal with it, i think its really helping me.
You latched onto and reacted so strongly to a momentary thought that you couldn't breathe and now your brain is associating that thought as a danger. Panic doesn't last forever, you will eventually calm down.
I cant help with the blood pressure thing as i don't know much about it but you are in a very anxious state so its unlikely you'll get an accurate reading. I totally feel you when you say you just want to be happy and have a normal life!