Am I bringing these symptoms on myself? Depression / Anxiety

[feelingcrappy]

I've got a 3 yo DS and 1 yo DD. Since DD's birth 12 months ago have had an endless string of health complaints - each involving very real pain and discomfort but after thorough testing are found to have no apparent cause.

With each episode I am convinced something is seriously wrong with me, my appetite disappears, I sleep badly and I begin trawling the internet to self-diagnose. The negative test results assure me for a while, but the symptoms never really go away. The most debilitating thing is chronic lightheadedness that I have now had for over 3 months. My GP has suggested that I may be depressed. I know it's a cliche, but I have no reason to be - could this be PND? (I have no ill-feeling towards my children - just very anxious about my own health). Also, can depression cause you to feel physical pain? Thanks in advance for any replies - have also posted in mental health, sorry if repeating myself.

You could be wheat intolerant try giving it up for a week or so (you can have ryvitas and or bread, rice etc.). Also high sugar in yr diet could give you the feeling. HTH

If you are unhappy emotionally then I do think that can have a physical result. WRT the light headiness are you eating and drinking sufficiently?

I have had this lightheadedness for 5 years now feelingcrappy and I too find it the most debilitating of my anxiety 'symptons'. I have also had loads of tests including a CT scan all normal.

Have a look at the nomorepanic.co.uk website and type in lightheaded in the search engine and you will see how common it is.

I find that the more angry and frustrated I feel about it the worse it is. Seems to tail off in the evening though.

I am currently trying out some supplements which include a good B vit complex and a Chinese herb called Schizandra to see if they will help in conjunction with exercise to burn off the excess adrenaline which I suspect is what the lightheadness is a sympton of - too much adrenaline.

Also look up Claire Weekes books on Amazon. They are very cheap - Self Help for your Nerves and Peace from Nervous Suffering. Excellent stuff and really helpful.

Hi Hon, there was a very interesting thread also within this subject called "Anxiety without depression". We all thrashed out our experiences and how we coped so take a look at that.

When you are experiencing anxiety or depression you get very real physical symptoms as it is a chemical imbalance within your body and head. I seriously thought i was severely ill and had numerous tests with no results and it was all anxiety related as DD had been extremely ill.

I hope you get some help soon and let me know if that thread has gone as i will say what we discovered helped!

Thank you for all your time. Those closest to me have been suggesting that I'm depressed for a while but I couldn't accept that my constant stomach aches; light headedness; lump in throat and now, would you believe it, vulval pain were not symptomatic of some chronic physical condition. With each niew ailment I would think this will be the missing piece of the jigsaw and the doctors will finally unravel what's going on with me. I'm facing up to the possibility that anxiety is the root cause. I have a follow-up with my GP next week, he's been dancing round a depression diagnosis but I think it's time I had a proper conversation with him about it.

Will look up those other threads, god, I had no idea I was so suggestable - it's pretty scary what you can convince yourself of.

feelingcrappy, I could have written your OP a couple of years ago.

again, real symptoms (abdom pain, intestinal things - won't describe!- lump in throat, chest pain...), real pain, but had tests which were all clear.

this started when i had a 2yr old and 1 year old and was diagnosed with PND. counsellor really helped as did reading some self-help books. do look on the threads here for help(i'll do the same!). I've been symptomless for a few months now except for a very sore throat right now. I'm doing my best to assure myself it's a simple sore throat we've been passing around the family and not anything sinister!

HOpe you're feeling better soon.

Momino - I do the same as you, over think the sore throat or whatever. My DH has said that i will never go down with the serious panic attacks/anxiety again as i will know to look out for the signs. It has been 4 years and touch wood i have only had what i call "funny 5 minutes" moments. Anything that puts stress and pressure on me i start to feel funny (i don't mean normal day to day worries but tax return deadlines or a hospital appoint with DD) but i then sit down and breathe calmly and it subsides. I do take kalms when i feel the need and they help.

I really do empathise fully with you all

lazycow, I think the worst is over for me as well (thank god!) but I still worry I'll fall into that hole again. It does help to breathe deeply and know what the signs are. And, it does help to know that I'm not alone (even though I don't want anyone else going through this ).

I've heard of Kalms but never tried, might do.

Take care.

Changing what you eat does often improve people's health eg. my DH stops eating wheat and in 2 days he's feeling totally different he can sleep prperly, his whole mood lightens, and no aches and pains.

i'm a nutritionist and even the birth of my baby and had
huge anxiety issues due to endless lack of sleep and not much help...
I thought this would help you...
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