I am new and didn't get my program yet. I will have it tomorrow. I have a few questions. For so long, I thought I didn't have anxiety because it would not go away. About 2 months ago, I started to have thoughts, like, "What if my husband died, what if I died, how would each of us go one. Then if my fingers were swollen, I thought I had congestive heart failure. I then would get on the intranet and track the symptoms. I continually thought those bad thoughts every minutes of every day just about. I don't think I think about them as much. Sometimes I can let the thoughts come and go but they still pop in and out of my mind. Now, I am nauseaus most of the day. I still don't feel right. Sometimes I think I don't have anxiety because I never heard of anyone having anxiety like mine. I heard of panic attacks, agoraphobia, etc. but nothing like mine that can put you in a state of panic day after day just from thinking thoughts. In my mind, I think, I think my mind is a little better, but how come still the physical symptoms. Someone please help me.

wow your symptoms sound sooooo much like mine. when you get the program session 3 has helped me so much with a lot of those same kinds of thoughts. now i am not a doctor, but what you are describing sounds like generalized anxiety disorder. i suffer from this too; i may not be having panic attacks very often but i am constantly worried about something and dreaming up terrible "what if" things in my mind. i went through a period of time where i thought every day that something terrible was going to happen to my husband. i would call him a million times a day at work because i could not function until i knew he was alright. i did this for a very long time, but after i started the program and especially after starting session 3, this part of my anxiety really went away. i think that some of the program may even work subconciously because my thoughts were really redirected without me trying to redirect them.
as for body symptoms that make you think something is wrong with you......i have thought that i have had every disease on the planet. i have thought i had cancer, a brain tumor, diabetes, heart failure, blood clots(that is my main worry) ect.....and i have never actually had any health problems other than a heart condition that is not serious. it has always been in my mind, but i can actually feel physical symptoms if i read about them. all of these things are very common in anxiety disorders. you are not the only one!!!!!!

I haven't really dwelled on those thoughts like I used to so why and I having physical symptoms? Maybe because it is in the back of my mind still. I don't know. Exercise makes me feel better but how do I wake up without the thought of, "oh god, how nauseau am I going to be today, or, how sick will I be today? I didn't know anxiety could make you physicall sick. Yes, years ago I was diagnosed with GAD.

Welcome catrisch. I hope your program arrives soon. We're learning what really causes these disdressful thoughts, how to control them and ultimately banish them. You're in for a wonderful journey with us. Be patient with yourself. You have a wonderful life ahead of you.

Our minds are the most wonderous and powerful things. Many times I've simply told myself I'm NOT going to be sick, and I don't get sick, because I believe I won't. It's great!

welcome catrisch
i used to do the "what if" all the time. since 3rd grade actually. i am 22 now and have dont do the "what if" thinking as much. i always thought i had cancer because some part of my body would hurt or feel weird. i always think i am going to get a heart attack because even when i am not anxious my heart pounds than it freaks me out. i think the program will help you. good luck

All of you have been the best buddies already. After my first response to my posting, I was really relieved to find out someone had symptoms like mine. I cannot wait until my program arrives tomorrow. I am so looking forward to it. But can I ask any of you a question? Do you think I am still nauseaus, fatigued, etc. is because I really haven't gotten rid of my anxiety? Do you think it is still lingering in the back of my mind? Is it normal to be nauseaus day after day with GAD? The more answers I get, the better I feel because know I know I am not alone in this.

honestly, i do not think there is a physical symptom out there that anxiety could not cause. it is very possible that anxiety could be causing your nausea. having said that, if you feel like your anxiety is getting better and you still feel physically nauseous you would want to share that with your doctor. i have only struggled with nausea with anxiety once and it didn't count because i found out that i was pregnant. but i do know that a lot of people with GAD suffer from stomach problems. anxiety is such a strange thing and can make us feel so physically sick. i definitely have fatigue associated with anxiety. just know that you are not alone and we are all here for you if you have any more questions.

catrisch,

i have to agree with mississippi that anxiety is responsible for numerous physical symptoms. remember, the body and the mind are strongly connected. if you think something enough and focus on it, it will eventually manifest into a physical feeling. then that physical feeling will reinforce your thoughts that you have something wrong with you, and because we tend to over catastrophize, we can't have something minor but rather a major, terminal illness.
start the program- you will be amazed at how much it helps. lots of luck!

catrisch,
i just read under "participants questions and answers" that someone posted a topic about nausea associated with anxiety. you might want to check that out and see if any of their info could help you. one person said that if the nausea goes away when you are not thinking about it then it might be caused by anxiety. anyway, you might want to read that thread.

Thank you. I did read the post under questions and answers about being nauseous with anxiety. When I have good days, I do notice I am not as tense nor nauseous. It really is amazing how your mind can put you in a panic just from thinking. I cannot wait to start my program tomorrow. I am very excited. I just want this anxiety to be gone. However, after joining the forum earlier today, I became much more relaxed with having anxiety knowing I am not alone and knowing this can be controlled. I will let you all know how I am doing after I start my program.

hi guys, I don't mean to butt in on this thread but I really know how you feel, catrisch. Last week I had a random heart palpitation (which is normal), but for some reason I have totally been focusing on it and have been in a huge state of panic ever since then. It is almost like I focus on it, my mind causes it to happen, and right when it happens, I get a horrible feeling of nervousness/anxiety in my stomach. I want to stop focusing on it but I'm so scared of something being wrong with my heart. I've had it checked out and everything looks ok but when it keeps happening I start to get scared.

I just want it to go away so I can focus on living again and be happy. I'm listening to the program over (it's been about a year and a half since I went through it), but it's so difficult this time. Before, all the thoughts were just in my head - I had panic attacks but my "what if" thinking never centered around my health. But when you have a scary symptom (and of course I had to symptom surf!) it's harder to ignore. I feel so lost.

Hello!
I just wanted to thank everyone for you & your posts, you all will never know how many people you help by posting.
The last few days I've had tingling, numbness in my legs, now it's most likely due to an old back injury, when the injury was fresh there was alot of nerve pain in my legs.
And when I haven't excersised or been really stressed(my hubbie is gone and have sick kid, just a little stressed) my muscles get weak and the pain can return very subtly.
So while in my head i'm sure it's minor, I still have been obsessing that I have MS, and then you look online and all the symptoms fit. and I don't recommend web md for anyone w/anxiety b/c we think we have it all, when in reality like mississippimama said, we're really fine.
It's just nice to be reminded, to calm down, relax, know we're not alone, we're not the only one who thinks this way.
It's such a relief. It's a reality check that only someone who really understands can give. Even though i've been at this for years now, from time to time I need to be refreshed and remember the basics of anxiety. Thanks for posting and listening everyone.....



"Cast all your anxiety on God, because he cares for you" 1 peter 5:6