1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Anxiety Disorders

Does anyone else have this symptom? Strange jolt feeling

Posted , 6 users are following.

whitney85009
whitney85009

Hello friends! I'm trying my best to stay off of Dr. Google, so I wanted to come here in case anyone has some insight to this strange new symptom that I've developed lately.

It is hard to describe. It is like a momentary jerk that last maybe or second or two. Sometimes it feels like a falling/dropping sensation in my head and chest. Sometimes it seems to originate from above my head and other times more from my chest area. Other times, it gives me a momentary feeling of being unreal and then goes away. 

Is this my heart skipping a beat (doesn't come from that area), or is it some form of hypnic jerk? It happens during the day as much as it does at night. I am trying not to let it scare me too much. It has been happening fairly frequently in the past week or so, even when I don't necessarily feel very anxious (I am coming off a period of high anxiety and panic attacks, however, so I assume my body is highly sensitive right now). 

Thank you so much for any reassurance you can give, or any insight! I am at a loss as to what to even call this.

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Ashantiii
    Ashantiii whitney85009

    Posted

    Have you been anxious recently? Don’t look up your  symptoms on google.
    • whitney85009
      whitney85009 Ashantiii

      Posted

      I had a very bad setback period of about a week that I am coming off of. I was very anxious, scared to leave my home, and had several full blown panic attacks. I've been functioning the past four days - not perfect, but better. I've been going to work, exercising, and running some short errands close to home. But I am still getting these jerk/falling sensations even when I am feeling calm (when my BPM has been in the 60s, for instance).

  • RydiaMoone
    RydiaMoone whitney85009

    Posted

    Hi Whitney yes I get this feeling in my head at times its like a jolt of electricity or a shock and i have also had that weird sensation in my chest like i am going down a roller coaster or something or go at high speeds and cant handle it. That is why I could never do those things as I cannot handle the feeling it would give me. Sounds like you are in a heightened anxiety state and it should pass but its no guarantee it wont come back every now and then when you are truly anxious. I also used to get that feeling in my head when I have missed a does of my meds or gone off them cold turkey as its one of the side effects. Hope this helps. Take care.
    • whitney85009
      whitney85009 RydiaMoone

      Posted

      Hi Rydia! Thanks so much for responding - it really helps to know this is "normal." It is such a strange sensation and it really scared me. I am like you - I cannot do certain rides because they mimic symptoms that lead into panic attacks. Thank you so much.

  • arlenda13413
    arlenda13413 whitney85009

    Posted

    It sounds like you are describing something similar to how I feel sometimes.
    • whitney85009
      whitney85009 arlenda13413

      Posted

      I'm so sorry you get this too. It is definitely one of the strangest symptoms of anxiety I have ever felt. Know you aren't alone <3

  • johnny28586
    johnny28586 whitney85009

    Posted

    I have experienced this before, it's just anxiety. After a long period of consistent anxiety (more than a few days) your sympathetic nervous system becomes overstimulated and continues to flood the body with cortisol and adrenaline. This happens even when there is no anxiety present, the affects of this (known as a stress response) don't usually last more than a month though after you've calmed down. But it does go away, trust me, I've had some very scary sensations, falling sensation, twitches and jerks, as well as a constant feeling of being on the verge of a seizure this is just your body saying "chill out please"

    • whitney85009
      whitney85009 johnny28586

      Posted

      Thank you so  much, Johnny. I can't tell you how much this helps me. I had a setback period of about a week  where my anxiety was through the roof and I was having bad symptoms and multiple full blown panic attacks.  Having this jerking and falling sensation (and feeling like I'm  on the verge of a seizure  - your  description is spot on) makes me feel so scared because it seems so weird, even when I am not feeling anxious. I have noticed many times when I get them, my BPM  is in the 60s and I'm not even thinking about my anxiety! I will keep trucking through with the faith that these can't hurt me and it will pass (I literally had 2 of them just typing this message!) Thank you so much.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.