I feel sick with nerves all the time. What’s wrong with me?

[LemonGingerCakes]

And when something does make me jump/ cause upset, my body overreacts (the postman knocked on the door and I ended up physically shaking even though it only made me jump and I wasn’t bothered at all by it).

Any advice?

I'm sorry, I have no advice but I do get like this when I am overly tired.

How you are feeling physically? Are you in good health and getting plenty of rest?

That sounds horrible. Have you had a shock recently?

What are you eating, drinking?

Can I ask how old you are ? I got terribly anxious due to the menopause, very jumpy and scared of everything and I had never been like that .

Anxiety or post trauma response, I think. Physical symptoms of anxiety can be really debilitating like heart racing or jelly legs even if your brain knows there's no reason.

Trauma can leave us hypervigilant.

Yoga helps me. Perhaps try a yoga class or look up yoga on you tube. The breathing exercises will help. I do understand where you are coming from as I am always nervous even around people I know like me. Mine stems from childhood bullying and people approval.

Can I ask how old you are ? I got terribly anxious due to the menopause, very jumpy and scared of everything and I had never been like that

Ah man, I keep reading this sort of stuff. Having entered the menopause early-ish it's scaring the crap out of me.

OP, if you're reaction is physical then I would recommend beta blockers. They will help with that.

Have you always been this way or just recently?

Might be worth getting your thyroid checked - hyperthyroidism can cause these symptoms

Sounds like you may be dealing with a lot of stress? Could that be work, relationship, money/health worries?

Is there anything going on that is stressing you out?

Can you get your adrenal function checked too? Could be something causing an overproduction of adrenaline or cortisol.

I’m early 40s.

It could be stress. I have an awful (traumatic) month a couple of months ago, but thought I was coping ok (I feel ok).

I’ve definitely got money worries (had a contract cancelled just before Christmas).

I’ve never felt like this before, though and I’ve been through stress.

It’s definitely a recent thing. I was thinking of going to the dr, but what do I say? I think I’d feel a bit silly, so posted here instead

Diet could definitely be better.

I do feel like adrenaline is pumping a lot.

Could be peri menopause?

Things you cope with when younger can hit you harder. Ditto your hormones, vitamin levels. Best to visit GP and get some bloods done to rule things out.

It could be stress. I have an awful (traumatic) month a couple of months ago, but thought I was coping ok (I feel ok)

It might be a residue from that. The body does react to intense trauma and stress. Yoga and meditation can really help. Xx

Sounds like anxiety to me. I would ask your gp rather than us as they'll probably ask better questions.

In the meantime, lay off caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, improve your diet. Look online for things to eat that help you calm down.

Sounds like classic anxiety to me.
You mention you've had a lot to deal with recently - that might have been enough, added to past experiences, to push you over into anxiety.
Believe me, no-one is so 'strong' that they can keep going if they've had a lot to deal with in their life.
I wonder if that applies to you?
You need to see your GP as a first step.

It sounds like anxiety. If you’re in England you can self-refer for Mental Health Services who can diagnose and offer treatment (assuming you are in England). I was similar to you and after speaking to a professional realised that something from my past which I thought I was over had been triggered and causing anxiety. Definitely speak to someone OP, it’s a hard way to live.

If you feel adrenaline pumping through body and on edge, yes sound like classic anxiety and that is absolutely a medical problem and I would try the GP first.

Meditation and mindfulness is also a very useful tool - if you do, try to get in the habit of practising it. It can take some time to feel the effects but it is a long term help that can really make a difference

What was the trauma you experienced, if you don’t mind saying? Even if vaguely or changing specific details.

Sounds like the physical symptoms to anxiety to me and defo worth a trip to your GP especially if you've endured a trauma recently op. Sometimes our brains and our bodies process shock at different times and it can come out weeks, months, years later in anxiety or pstd. It might be nice for you to chat to a professional about it xxx

Even a month later? My child needed a load of tests done. All fine, thank goodness, but it was a horrible month. My job being cancelled has meant that I’ve had a lot of time on my hands this week. I’ve spent it relaxing and recuperating, but feel like this now.

Definitely drinking too much caffeine and too much sugar...

Some of the tests were quite invasive