I have always been the type of person who pushes herself to the max. I am a perfectionist, and I really strive for excellence in a lot of what I do. About 6 months ago, I had a panic attack in the middle of the night. I then had two more, one during the day, and one during the night again. I have also started feeling "pangs" of anxiety during the day for no particular reason. I don't really have any limitations due to anxiety, but my physical ailments keep me from doing as much as I would like to. The anxiety I feel is often very "spontaneous". I don't know what to link it to. Could I just be overstressed? I have recently been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I have also had severe headaches and migraines. At times I ache all over like I have arthritus or the flu. I'm also very exhausted. I have trouble sleeping, and I struggle with depression off and on especially when I have PMS. I have found the program to be helpful, but I wondered if anyone out there has had similar symptoms to mine, and it ended up being just anxiety. I have been to the doctor, and they put me on Effexor. The side effects are worse than being sick however, and I will probably go off of it. They haven't diagnosed me with anything besides the hypothyroidism, and I've been referred to all kinds of specialists. I have had an MRI done on my brain that came back clean. If I deal with this anxiety will the sickness go away too or just the anxiety? Does anyone out there have experiences they would like to share? I hope so! This is the first time I have ever posted.

Jessica,

Are you undergoing any treatment for your thyroid? Everything I have read says that one of the physical causes of anxiety is an over/under active thyroid (I have a "borderline" thyroid problem. So, this is probably contibuting to the stress, anxiety and depression you are feeling. The thyroid regulates a lot - I am surprised that your doctor didn't explain this to you. It can also be responsible for the headaches, etc. I too get terrible headaches, flu like symptoms, exhaustion, etc. Have been searching for answers from the doctors and they can't find anything. So, I guess I have to face the facts - it is probably anxiety/panic/depression.

There are so many meds (you are on an SSRI), if the side effects from the effexor (I didn't do well with this one either) are unbearable, tell your doctor and find one that works. If you would like to chat more, feel free to email me. Keep going with the program. I too am hoping that if I deal with the anxiety - the sickness and symptoms will follow. Thinking of you...

Take good care,

Wendy

In the past I think I had every ailment know to man. But once I started working towards getting over this anxiety these things slowly dissapeared. Keep working on the tapes, and as you continue on with the program you will find yourself feeling so much better. On those bad days, I keep telling myself over and over that I feel good, and that I'm going to have a great day!! Positive thinking and affirmations are the key to our success!!!