Is this anxiety? Just plain stress and tension?

[Blamedagain]

A bit of background, the past few years I've gone through lots of issues. Coming to terms with an abusive childhood, parental alcoholism, bereavement, loss of contact of remaining parent etc. Its been a very difficult few years to be honest but I've just got on with it. I have a fabulous DH and great kids which has helped immensely.

For about 18 months though I've been plagued by head pain. My temple is tender and painful to the touch, I've had headache and crushing fatigue at times. When issues flare up with family or when I get reminded of what has happened all my symptoms come back. My jaw is stiff and painful, this exacerbates the temple pain. My neck is stiff and painful, my head feels like its under pressure.
My stomach becomes upset and my heart races - I feel shaky and 'flighty' for want of a better word. My eyes can't focus properly and I feel overwhelmingly tired. There has been an 'upset' this weekend and all these symptoms are with me and I cannot shake it off. I'm sat here typing this and my jaw is aching with it all but I just cant stop it!

Is there anything I can take? what can I do? relaxation techniques or will a GP visit be better? I feel if I sit down and talk to the GP I'll open up and I'll never stop crying, it'll just keep coming and coming. Help.

It does sound like physical manifestations of stress. Your GP may well be able to help. From a self help perspective what about getting a neck an shoulder massage? Also you could try mindfulness mediation, theres a really good app called headspace. Theres also some really good guided relaxation tracks available on line. My favourite is The Golden Core from www.nlpinthenorthwest.co.uk

Also from what you say about opening up to the GP maybe something like councelling would be helpful. I've found councelling very helpful over the years. Your GP can refer you. Don't worry about crying with your GP or the councellor, they will both be used to it.

Mindfulness is a powerful tool. Google will help you find a book called Mindfulness for depression. Don't take any notice of the title though. It comes with a relaxation CD. I helps you unwind your body and mind through listening and breathing. You can use headphones so it's private. It helped me with pains in my head/eye socket. I had eye tests, dental checks and an MRI too. All clear. It was stress. Also warm/hot cotton wool over the eyes and laying down in a quiet place also eases the tension in your body. If you like lavender/aromatherapy oils to inhale. Check out the health shop eg Holland and Barrett. the oils are labelled up such as soothing, calming, refreshing etc. I really like Geranium and also Eucalyptus as well as lavender. You can literally have the mini bottle in a make up bag and inhale the oil when you need to. It works for me.

I hope this works. I'm not very tech savvy:

www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/miaroma-geranium-pure-essential-oil-60060121?skuid=060121

I suffer from anxiety and what your have written I get the same symptoms plus a few more I've had cbt and now take 20ml of citalopram and am pretty much back to normal

You could see your dentist as well. If you are grinding your teeth because of stress this can cause excruciating pain - trust me I know! They can give you some exercises for your jaw and let you know if a mouth guard might help your symptoms.