What is this? Is it anxiety?

[mvmvmvmv]

Hi,

I've been experiencing this for a while and I'm not sure what it would be classed as, perhaps anxiety? When I read the description of anxiety it doesn't quite fit tho.

I feel unable to do things that I know I need to do or even want to do (eg clean/do washing/go shopping) as I am consumed with thinking about things from the previous day/week and I just feel rooted to the spot. I think about all the things I did or said that were 'wrong'. Sometimes all I can manage is to sit on the sofa or in bed and do nothing. It seems ridiculous as it's not as if I couldn't think while also doing washing. But whenever I feel these thoughts coming on it's like I feel that the thoughts will get worse or that I can't manage to do the other things. It's not a motivation thing - quite often I want to do the things. It's not an anxiety attack, I don't feel breathless or a racing heart. I just find the thought pattern so debilitating to the point I can't function in the moment.

Sorry if I'm not making much sense. When I google to try to understand this and what it might be I can't find anything as it dies t fit the normal symptoms of anxiety or depression. Can anyone relate? Anyone know what this is?

How long have you experienced this? Do you have a history of ruminating on thoughts?

That does sound like a symptom I experiance quite often and mine is related to my Generalised Anxiety Disorder.

I've always experienced it, so from childhood... perhaps since age 6/7.

@Imfromhere has anything helped with it? I don't know if medication would help?

It seems to get worse at times, so just now it is really bad I think with the added stress of lockdown.

Sometimes there can be a few months where I don't experience it as strongly.

It never seems to go away tho

I found medications helped to slow my mind down a bit so it wasnt as hard to keep some control over how it all spirals into a cycle of thoughts. If that makes any sense.

Still get it quite often though but I would say it's more manageable now.

I have anxiety, and what you have mentioned I also experience. Mine usually come on in the night though when I wake up, and my thoughts wander and I go over things in my head.

It sounds like you're trapped in the freeze part of fear/fight/flight/freeze response when you're in this state? I can completely relate to that OP. It's a very anxious state to be in, and for me it eventually led to depression.

My GP prescribes mirtazapine to me for this, and I must say it certainly provides some relief.

Don't worry op, you are not alone . I get that "rooted to the spot" feeling, my legs and feet actually feel heavy when I am very anxious. This is a mental/physical reaction to stress and the pressure you put on yourself to do everything perfectly. A good strategy to overcome it is to set a timer for 5 minutes and try and do one tiny task. Just focus on that. And do it in a way that is not perfectionist but "good enough". The Flylady system would be good for you op, as it focuses on small focused bursts of activity, built up gradually through useful routines known as baby-steps. You tackle the house work gradually broken down in to zones so you don't get overwhelmed. And it helps you get in to routines and habits so they become automatic and you don't reflect on things too much.

Are you feeling overwhelmed in some way? This sort of thing doesn't happen in a vacuum. In my case it was because at that time I didn't have enough others things in my life that interested and motivated me.
Once I gave myself permission to pursue some interests exclusively for myself; I somehow had the mental power to do all the boring stuff. I have a good imagination and I am very visual , and I had done the tasks so many times in my head - and I guess unconsciously disliked the thought of doing them each time - that by the time I actually came to do them, I had built myself a huge mental wall. You say this isn't a problem of motivation, because you want to do these things, but it kind of is because the upshot of this over-thinking is that you end up on the sofa doing nothing. I'm the same, I am fine when I have started but it is the "just do it" part that is harder for me!

Op have a look at "Therapy in a nutshell" on You Tube. The therapist who runs it is very knowledgeable about, and explains well, the effects of our para-sympathetic nervous system on our body. Have a look at some of her videos on anxiety. Good luck

Thank you that is insightful, it sounds like it could be the "freeze" part of fight/flight. I'll do some research around this area.

Another thing I've just thought of... when I'm in this 'frozen' state I can still do some things eg surf the web on my phone for hours, but I'm not able to get up and make a cup of coffee, even tho I want a cup of coffee and I'm thirsty. It's like things that involve physical movement become impossible. I even put off moving to go to the loo until the absolute last possible moment.

How weird... glad it isn't just me that experiences this!!