Hello everyone,
I've suffered Anxiety,Panic and Agoraphobia over 13 Years.Was wondering if Anxiety and Stress can make a Person feel generally unwell (ill).Sometimes I feel so bad I fear something is major wrong with me.After all this time,I still have hard time believing Anxiety and Panic can make me feel this way.

I too have the same feeling. Dr's cant find anything wrong. But I can be doing fine and just wake up some days, about 2 a week, feeling exhausted, weak, and flu like. Just generally ill. Is this how you feel?

Gal30,
Yes anxiety can make you feel ill. I get flu-like symptoms every month it seems. I always feel so weak and exhausted and sore. I get nausea too. I have developed IBS and acid reflux because of my anxiety. I also think it is messing up with my hormones. I have been feeling like I am always on my period but im only actually on it for 5 days. My ovaries have been hurting too lately and they have started hurting when my stress went way up. I just did some blood tests. Waiting for the results. I am still very nervous but i will tell you, If I didn't have anxiety, I know my body would not be feeling this way. What we think in our brain affects our body.

Rose_thorn,
Sometimes I feel so bad it's like I feel I can't go anymore..like I'm gonna fall flat of my Face..I feel exhausted..my Eyes feel as if they are drooping down to my Jaw..I feel "wild" and hyped up..Two Years after Anxiety,Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia surfaced,I was in Hospital 3 Weeks with an Infection in my Spine.I was poked and prodded for pretty much everything.I wasn't told anything was wrong with me except the Infection.My SED rate exceeded 100 when it should be around 15.I've seen several Doctor's since and again haven't been told anything is wrong with me.

Hi Holly,
I never imagined Anxiety would feel this way.I was a fearful worrier Years before Anxiety and Panic Disorder struck,however it feels different than before.Maybe it's because I did't key into how my Body felt.It seems that is all I've done the last 14 Years is be hypervigilant and scanning for symptoms and yup sure 'nuff I find them!Speaking of Periods (I apologize because this site is mixed Company).I stopped my May Period May 27th..June 8 12 Day's after my Period stopped,I began Bleeding again.I chalked it off to Ovulation Bleeding as June 8 was exactly 14 Day's until my next Period was to start..I started July 5 and stopped the 10th..my Periods are regular as clock work..Cycles ranging from 29-31 Day's,but this time it was 27 Day's..they last 5 Day's each Month..I've been Housebound for 5 + Years after living pretty much Anxiety free for over 3 Years.Am slowly beginning to get out again.I had Doctor's Appointment July 2,but couldn't possibly discuss everything at my first appointment.Next Appointment I'm going to talk with him about complete Blood work..I know..mind over matter..

Oh, goodness!! Please let me know what blood tests your doctor gives you. I feel just like you! There's something in there polluting my blood, and I wanna know what it is and how to get rid of it. I went to a gynecologist last month because my cycles run in to each other. (Maybe losing that much blood would make me tired all the time, no matter how much iron supplement I take!) The test came back negative, and the doctor pretty much let it go at that. Sure, it's my responsibility to follow up, but I'm to tired to call.
If you get any results from any blood- or any kind of tests for that matter- from your doctor, please let me know, so I can ask for the same tests.
Good luck, sweetie. Hope you feel better.

I feel that anxiety does make us feel physically ill. I've noticed while chatting on the community chat line that people suffering from anxiety and depression have varied symptoms.

When I started my anxiety I thought I was dying of cancer. That was how bad I felt. Once I realized that it was anxiety and depression I stopped focusing on my physical symptoms.

When I do get really depressed (in a depression) I have no energy, no appetite, no get up and go.

Hope that helped.
God bless you.

Gal30,
i know what you mean. My physical symptoms have changed and that makes me that it cannot be anxiety! Its something else! AHHHH! But all it is IS anxiety and its playing tricks on me. Thats sneaky little thing. I get new symptoms all the time. First it was derealization than IBS , acid reflux,headaches, fatigue , breathing and swallowing issues ect basically i thought i had cancer and tumors. . It seems like when you get something familiar its like ok this is what i get when i am anxious but when something new comes (like when my swallowing issues came up) it scares us and maes us think there is something really wrong. I do recommend getting a physical and blood tests just for peace of mind. This will be my 2nd blood test in 2 months. I have been to 6 dr visits in the last 2 and a half months. eeee! All that wasted money it seems sometimes. I scan my body all the time!!! My therapist says that i shouldn't do that because there will always be something to find. . . I a going to see an herbalist on friday because i dont like SSRI's and i hear this dr is very good. I read testimonials how he cured peoples fibromalgia , chronic fatigue anxiety etc.. . Have any of you tried any herbal supplements?? . . . and Gal30, I know this is all from anxiety. . I know you will be ok.

Tizzy,
I am hoping my Doctor will order a complete Chemistry.PLEASE do NOT take Iron Supplements unless you know you are Anemic and don't take Iron if you have Fever.Next Appointment I make with my Doctor will let ya'll know what he had to say..

Still feeling ill

Goldeng,
Though we suffer from the same Disorder we experience different symptoms and don't feel the same.

Seems I forever feel bad..I have Health Anxiety on top of Anxiety,Panic Disorder,Agoraphobia and Anticipatory Anxiety.

Cancer and Diabetes are two of my current worries..keep thinking something is very wrong with me..

Hope you are feeling much better!

Holly J,
In October '07 for a solid 2 Weeks straight,I had trouble swallowing.I stopped eating solid Food and relied on Pudding,Pimento Cheese Spread,soft Foods and Liquids.Was SCARED out of my mind!

It was Stress..my ex-Fiance was grieving me..dumped his sorry no good for nothing Emotionally Abusive Arse and no problem since..

If I've had derealization haven't noticed..at times I wonder if I have IBS and Acid Reflux.

For YEARS all I did was pay attention to my Breathing (still do it,but it's lessened in severity).I started sighing,yawning and taking deep breaths every second of the Day..there have been so many times that I couldn't expand my Chest to perform my "rituals"..I literally drove myself into a frenzy over it!

My other fear is:When I do have Blood work what if something IS found?I don't want to be sick..

I have used Valerian Root,drank Chamomile and Passionflower Tea..it helps to calm,but doesn't treat Panic Disorder..

Thank you for the,"I'm gonna be OK"..I sure do pray you are right!

Feel better soon..

Thanks, Gal.
My psychiatrist suggested I get on iron pills because I had none in my blood. He ran a couple blood tests on me. I am soooo tired all of the time, and the iron actually helps me feel less tired. I have taken iron before because of anemia.
For whatever reason, I still have not been to a general practitioner. Maybe I'm afraid to find out there's nothing wrong with me, except for anxiety and depression. I hope your doctor visit goes well, and that the doctor can help you to feel better.

Your welcome..I really don't think you have anything to worry about by seeing a General Practitoner..afterall you see a Psychiatrist who is also a Physician..my fear is something other than Anxiety and Panic WILL be found!I am keeping Fingers crossed that my Doctor who is MD and specializes in Family Practice and an OB/GYN will take me seriously..maybe he will after he learns me better..