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[John Who]

Went and saw a sleep specialist yesterday.

With my anxiety I've always had a side effect of debilitating fatigue and lack of motivation to be able to do things. At times it gets so bad I can't even be bothered brushing my teeth before bed because I just want to sleep.

Looking into sleep apnoea as expected, but he seems to think there's more there.

He's actually suggesting I may have a form of narcolepsy.

Didn't think it would go this far!

Have you tried a blood test yet. I would recommend this along with a sleep study in the least.

 

[John Who]

I've had anxiety since I was around 4 I think, I'm 23 now. I could never eat in front of people, my appetite would disappear, and I'd feel sick to the point of gagging/vomiting. Emetophobia I think its called (define: extreme fear of vomiting). Linked to social anxiety. Tried some psychologists, they don't really get it, although CBT is somewhat helpful. Right now I can eat in most situations but not dates. Anything above a coffee date is my kryptonite. This anxiety severely limited me as a kid. I didn't go to parties because of this, had to make excuses. School Camp? Not until I was forced after missing the first four. Girls? Avoided til I was 19. It was detrimental to my physical health, I stayed way too skinny and resorted to eating comfort junk foods. Right now its not as bad of an issue as it used to be but when combined with chronic stomach issues its starting to creep back in. Right now my diet consists of vegetable shakes, olive oil and snacking on snow peas, plus some other supplements. Everything else is making me nauseous, I think its gluten. I'm still having troubles with my stomach even though my diet/lifestyle has been good for about 2 years and I've cured my acid reflux (used to fear going to bed as sometimes I'd wake up and vomit, one time I vomited 8 times over 7 hours). Fun times for an emetophobe. I also had 30 colds last year due to a liver auto immune disease, but worked hard on fixing that and have only had four this year. I'm fasting right now so if this doesn't work then I don't know what to do.

I'm going to the USA for 5 weeks without the parents to hopefully clear my head. My household is toxic, my old man doesn't think much of me although he's caring (not on an emotional level, just day to day). I tell him my uni grades. Oh it must be an easy subject. I do the housework but there is a spec of water on the floor. "you ******* idiot'. I stand up to him one time, "I don't fear you". What a stupid comment. He doesn't acknowledge my anxiety, he thinks its a joke, when most of my anxiety is involuntary and is a long process to get better. The amount of times we went to restaurants and he said "Jordy, aren't you hungry? The food here is good! My mother is alright but always defends my sister who I have nothing good to say about, and that causes problems. Little wonder our Christmas gatherings consist of like a fifth of our family and the rest friends.

I think I've had a good year but the idleness in holidays is horrible. Uni is over, part time work feels like a waste of time, and my free time would go to Tennis, the one of the few things I actually care about deep down. I do some coaching on the side which brings me a lot of joy, especially because tennis has plenty of anti social kids I can relate to and help them just being a friend. After overcoming a subluxed shoulder and patella femeral syndrome (both 9 month injuries), I now have a reoccurring issue in my lower spine/coccyx bone. Over 6 months it has reoccured a 3rd time. I can't run or do sudden movements. I do all the icing and resting, but inverted by back too far once and now I can't ******* sit down and its not getting much better. God bless those who have done their ACL. Without tennis I don't know what the **** to do. And it would be nice to sit down on a chair instead of standing up all day.

Maybe going away will help, although no doubt I've go through a few panic attacks being emetophobic but I'm learning to just ride the panic attacks, see if that helps long term. Feeling nauseous all the time crosses over big time with my anxiety. This is not something I speak about and only my mother knows about it, although we haven't spoken about it for years. I'm a bit of a weird case but all I want is my physical health back (stomach and coccyx) so I can be more proactive with my mental health, but I don't have the answers to fix these issues. I guess I have to try and eventually but hopefully not accept what is.

My final word is I encourage anyone with a weird anxiety to come forward, you probably won't get much weirder then emetophopbia.

Hi, just curious to know whether you've done further investigations for your digestive tracts eg. endoscopy, ultrasound?
You mentioned gluten causes issues, could there be Coeliac disease or other food intolerance issues?

 

[Nugett]

I've also started a new career mate and the drive I have found is incredible
I have started with the Dept of Justice working in youth detention
The 7 week training was intense but it was that way on purpose
My ex of course hates it and has done everything to convince me I will either get hurt or fail, but these issues are hers not mine
I have also met someone nice
I am in the period of what is called Post Traumatic Recovery
I still struggle badly sometimes but I have no qualms in reaching for the help when I need it
Have reconnected with my mates and played in a one day cricket premiership on the weekend
There is a future before me

I really appreciate what you said. The thing I'm looking forward to the most, is looking for work that doesn't require night shift. I've done nothing but 12 hour night shifts for the last 5 years. When I'm at work I probably average between 2 to 5 hours sleep. I hardly eat, and I think that mentally and physically and possibly socially as well it's taken its toll. Your first day off is usually spent sleeping, the first day back, your limited by what you can do as your aware that you have to work, so while I may have 4 or 5 days off 2 of them days are wasted.
Why I could ask to be put onto day shift at my current job, as I mentioned I have no respect for my superiors, and I'd still be doing what I'm doing now. So I'm also looking at regaining that drive again.
The other day the bosses put on a Xmas BBQ for the day shift crew, while us poor suckers on night shift were expected to appreciate the scraps that were left over. When the left overs disappeared taken by various members of the day shift crew, the bosses just didn't care. Truthfully i would never have eaten the scraps, because I'm not a dog, and I don't appreciate being treated like one.
Anyway I'm about to end rant!
To finish on a more positive note, I'm pleased that your starting to get your life back together, and hopefully you will get to spend some time with your kids this Xmas!

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Have you tried a blood test yet. I would recommend this along with a sleep study in the least.

Yeah all came back fine, slightly high cholesterol but nothing worth addressing.

 

[HumanMeatball]

Is it possible to get sudden anxiety attacks and literally not know why? Have thought all my symptoms were health related but tests suggest there mental

 

[Aeglos]

Is it possible to get sudden anxiety attacks and literally not know why? Have thought all my symptoms were health related but tests suggest there mental

There will be trigger(s) that cause it.
One of the hardest parts I found with anxiety attacks was recognising when they were coming before the really noticeable symptoms occurred

 

[telsor]

Is it possible to get sudden anxiety attacks and literally not know why? Have thought all my symptoms were health related but tests suggest there mental

I'm not an expert, but I'd say there is almost certainly a reason.

It's totally possible for you to not be aware of that reason however.

BTW. 'health related' and 'mental' do overlap...a lot.

On [device_name] using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Kingfish73]

Everyone look after your friends and family over holiday period. Sometimes the external does not reflect the internal....

 

[John Who]

Is it possible to get sudden anxiety attacks and literally not know why? Have thought all my symptoms were health related but tests suggest there mental

Theoretically it's possible but it's hard to quantify the percentages of triggers vs "non-triggers". Sometimes all it takes is a random thought or visual cue that can stir up the emotions, and one could pass it off as "don't see any obvious triggers". Also, there can be subtle metabolic changes that can trigger an anxiety attack, but can then settle down once a blood test is done.

 

[John Who]

Merry Christmas everyone. Mental illness or not, we all deserve some love and support. Stay safe and look after the body!

 

[Glacier]

To all the dads out there who may not see much of their kids today, you aren't alone
I spent last night with mine but working today
Waiting for the promised call before start time but of course just another broken promise
Stay strong all

 

[Nugett]

To all the dads out there who may not see much of their kids today, you aren't alone
I spent last night with mine but working today
Waiting for the promised call before start time but of course just another broken promise
Stay strong all

Have a good Xmas mate.

 

[Mojo]

To all the dads out there who may not see much of their kids today, you aren't alone
I spent last night with mine but working today
Waiting for the promised call before start time but of course just another broken promise
Stay strong all

Sorry to hear, Glacier.

Kids are kids.. they're not quite aware of their actions until they're mature adults. I've just turned 30 and wish I'd been a bit more considerate when I was younger.

Chin up - they still love you.

 

[I Lost My Keays]

Thank god for Mensline and Beyond Blue for helping me with my anxiety. My anxiety has been getting gradually worse in my relationship and they've calmed me down

 

[Nugett]

New year. New times. I know I’m looking forward to making positive changes.

 

[HumanMeatball]

I feel in a really bad way physically. Been to many doctors had blood tests, ecg tests all fine, and I apparently have an anxiety disorder. The physical symptoms feel so real I just can’t let go of the notion something is seriously physically wrong with me that will Kill me and think worst case scenario in relation to my health. Bit lost atm

 

[Ando727]

I feel in a really bad way physically. Been to many doctors had blood tests, ecg tests all fine, and I apparently have an anxiety disorder. The physical symptoms feel so real I just can’t let go of the notion something is seriously physically wrong with me that will Kill me and think worst case scenario in relation to my health. Bit lost atm

Anxiety can be more "physical" than you might think. My advice would be to investigate both possibilities: treat the anxiety head on, but also investigate your physical health with whatever means you have. Doctors can miss things, so it's possible to have a disease or condition that hasn't been picked up yet - especially if they think you have anxiety issues too. Worrying about being sick will also add to the anxiety you have. But, since high anxiety can manifest in so many different ways, it's still totally plausible that there isn't anything "physically" wrong with you. So treating your anxiety could be the single most important thing you can do for yourself.

Keep in mind that these days, enlightened doctors don't just neatly divide physical health and mental health. There is a lot of overlap in the overall equation of a person's well-being. Just try to find doctors that you feel confidence in and you feel taken seriously by - trust is everything in a therapeutic situation. Best of luck in sorting it out, mate.

 

[HumanMeatball]

Anxiety can be more "physical" than you might think. My advice would be to investigate both possibilities: treat the anxiety head on, but also investigate your physical health with whatever means you have. Doctors can miss things, so it's possible to have a disease or condition that hasn't been picked up yet - especially if they think you have anxiety issues too. Worrying about being sick will also add to the anxiety you have. But, since high anxiety can manifest in so many different ways, it's still totally plausible that there isn't anything "physically" wrong with you. So treating your anxiety could be the single most important thing you can do for yourself.

Keep in mind that these days, enlightened doctors don't just neatly divide physical health and mental health. There is a lot of overlap in the overall equation of a person's well-being. Just try to find doctors that you feel confidence in and you feel taken seriously by - trust is everything in a therapeutic situation. Best of luck in sorting it out, mate.

Appreciate it mate. Really want to go back to feeling like the old me, which sadly I’m not right now.

 

[Nugett]

40 hours since my last cigarette. I know that if I have one, it's back to the drawing board. Trying to stay strong. Resist the urge to buy some.

 

[HumanMeatball]

Started on anti depressants for anxiety a week ago related to my health and I feel like a legitimate zombie now. Always tired, feel little emotion, can’t think. Can’t function

 

[mxett]

I feel in a really bad way physically. Been to many doctors had blood tests, ecg tests all fine, and I apparently have an anxiety disorder. The physical symptoms feel so real I just can’t let go of the notion something is seriously physically wrong with me that will Kill me and think worst case scenario in relation to my health. Bit lost atm

Anxiety makes me feel physically horrible. Symptoms can be any of: Tired, dizzy, nauseated, aching head neck stomach back & limbs, blushed, poor focus etc.

It took me a while to accept they are all related to anxiety. Now i know not to worry about them because they do pass if i let them be. When i try to run from or avoid the feelings they get worse

 

[mxett]

Started on anti depressants for anxiety a week ago related to my health and I feel like a legitimate zombie now. Always tired, feel little emotion, can’t think. Can’t function

Im sure youve heard this, but give it time to take effect. If it works for you it can make a huge difference. Good luck

 

[HumanMeatball]

I feel my specific anxiety as its all related to my health is embarrassing and pathetic and while I know it’s dumb still think about my symptoms and what’s wrong with me constantly

 

[Nugett]

Hi Nugett, that's some very heavy stuff you are going through. In my opinion, you need some support to manage your way through this. You aren't going to conquer these intense feelings just on your own. If you haven't got a psychologist yet, get one. Go to your GP and get a Mental Health Plan done and this will entitle you to highly subsidised access to psychologists. Don't go to a psychiatrist unless a psychologist recommends it though. (psychiatrists are potentially dangerous in the way they try to treat everything with medication, which is often the opposite to working on your issues). You've got to let go of these pseudo macho ideas that everybody should solve their own problems and not show weakness. That is stone-age stuff these days. I'd guess that 90% or more of the people on this thread have seen, or and actively seeing a psychologist. And the ones with the most insight are the ones who have done it for a while.

What you need is to clarify your issues and get a plan going to deal with them. That's what psychologists do - they aren't there to poke around in your head. They give you the tools to get out of "stuck" situations. They give you insight into yourself as to why you're in the predicament you're in now, and how to get out of it and avoid getting back into it. It's a very rational way to address the problems you've got. Don't feel ashamed of that. It's actually the most courageous thing you can do. It's not more courageous to suffer in silence to maintain your reputation.

The good news is that you're opening up very well in here. That's a great sign for you because it means you would respond really well to therapy. You can describe your situation well. You just need some objectivity and support, and that's why I recommend you start with a psychologist. But by all means, keep sharing here. There are a lot of great people on here who will back you up and listen.

Feel free to message me or anyone else on here who you feel a connection with. I hope you will consider my advice really carefully, and I wish you the very best. Take care mate.

Thank you for your response back then. I was very angry and frustrated back then. To some extent I’m still am, but much more in control.
I have made the decision to leave my job. At the moment I haven’t seen a psychiatrist since then. My bad. How ever I am currently making changes in my life. I’m doing it in 3 stages. The first stage is in myself, making changes that I want to fix individually. So in the process of becoming smoke free, as smoking does depress me. It depresses me in that I waste a lot of money on a drug, that does nothing for me but damages my health. Same with alcohol, I’m trying to reduce my intake. The main thing is I’m setting myself goals. Ie to climb Mount Everest by 2022. So I know I have to get myself fit to achieve it.
The 2nd stage is removing myself from the negative environment that I believe I’m in. At the end of this month I’m taking 6 weeks off work, where 3 weeks of that I’ll be over seas. The other 3 weeks I plan on finding a new job. I’m also looking at moving cities, as I have no support where I live as the only people I know are those that I work with. So I’m looking at moving closer to where my friends live. Also by looking at moving and changing jobs, I hope that I can find a day time job, where I’m not putting self under stress by working nights. While it’s going to be a drop in pay for me, it’s time that I start looking after my health rather than wealth. By being closer to friends I hope it enables me to become more socially active than what I am now. I also believe that a new environment will encourage me to reenrol in other activities other than work, wether it’s taking up sport again, doing a course in a school, just getting out of my own head.
Stage 3 is limiting the influences of people that bring me down. For a long time I have helped other people wasting my time and energy on these people, only for them to quit/give up/abandoned me when they feel better about them selves. With the girl in question, I have said and done some pretty hurtful things(nothing pyhisical) just words and actions that I’m not proud of. I have apologised. The worst thing is she tells me not to bring up the good things I have done, as it’s me throwing it back into her face, yet she feels it’s justified to ignore me unless she wants something. With my father I haven’t heard from him since I made the effort to go see him. For the first time I made the decision not to ring him for Xmas. Haven’t heard from him. My sister left a message to call her back, she hasn’t heard from him. I’m ok if I never see or hear from him again. With the girl while it’s sad losing her, it’s also a relief to be removing myself from her needs and wants.
In the meantime I’m looking forward to the positive changes I’m making.

 

[Nugett]

I feel my specific anxiety as its all related to my health is embarrassing and pathetic and while I know it’s dumb still think about my symptoms and what’s wrong with me constantly

Mate it’s not pathetic. It’s also not dumb. Your just concerned for your own health. That’s a good thing. Just have a little patience and see what happens. There are others on here more qualified than me that may be able to explain things to you.