Anxiety and spaced out feeling is this common?

[Meltinthemiddle]

Hi ladies I am 42 and really struggling with life at the moment. My anxiety and stress levels are through the roof. My behaviour is very irractic and I feel like I'm in fight or flight mode most of the time. I also have periods of feeling spaced out like I'm not here, foggy brain and unable to take information in and retain it. Loss of confidence and self doubt. Facial hair, tiredness and body odour. I am overweight and I've put on at 1.5 stone in the last year but my diet hasn't drastically changed. I'm tired, moody and depressed. I don't enjoy anything anymore and I don't know my purpose. Sometimes I'm just tired and want to sleep and not wake up. I'm just exhausted and feel like I'm done with life because I can't see anything else to look forward top. Is this depression or menopause?

See your GP
I had moods and not sleeping due to stress at work but my GP couldn’t rule out menopause symptoms I was 48. I was put on ADs. I have developed anxiety and have had 2 panic attacks one of the side effects of my meds is anxiety so I now take medication for that.

it is shit it really is - I’m still not my previous happy self but I’m not a complete bitch either. I hope one day I’ll feel like me again. I think the ADs have numbed my feelings as I’m on the highest dose but I need them.
Coupled with the anxiety meds I’m just not happy - I am happy but I’m not happy happy as I used to be

Sounds like my menopause. Can you speak to your GP? HRT helped with the brain fog and anxiety.

Yeah I know I need to see my GP but with the current GP situation I feel bad taking up an appointment if I am lucky to get one 😔. I am just so fed up and lost. My heart and mind are racing as I am over thinking loads. And I just don't enjoy anything. I used to love live music and come alive but I literally feel numb. I wnet to a concert and theatre the other day and I literally felt nothing. It's horrible.

My weight gain is also shocking. I am 12.5 stone with weight around my middle, boobs and arms. I also have loads of facial hairs popiing up especially on my chin and neck!

Don’t feel bad about seeing the GP you have as much right as the next person.

It could be either of those or it could be post-COVID. Exhaustion, brain fog, weight gain linked to decreased activity/fitness and low mood can all be linked.

Very possibly perimenopausal symptoms

Sounds perimenopausal. Though ADs may help, they are the go-to option for many GPS not clued up enough when HRT might be a better option instead.

Hi OP I know I'm crashing in on a very old post, but came looking for posts about feeling spaced out all the time. How are you feeling now? And did you get any help or medication that helped?
I'm 45 going through perimenopause and on HRT.
I still feel completely spaced out every single day and suffering with panic disorder so severe that I'm struggling to think straight.

I was just searching to see if anyone is feeling like I am and butterfliesandrobins you've described exactly how I've been feeling. I'm also 45. Feeling spaced out has triggered some panic attacks recently too which I haven't had for years.
Has anything helped?
I've got a doctor's appointment on Monday so hoping something might help as it's been dragging on for ages now.

I'm older than you but Sertraline was a lifesaver for my anxiety and depression/lack of interest in life/thinking I was old and life was over. Eventually I went on HRT (not mood related), for the hot flushes. I can't say my concentration has improved one iota and memory is appalling, but please see your GP as it could be a combination. Of both and you deserve some medical advice.

Thanks for sharing Abracadabra and I'm you found something to help. I'm not keen on taking antidepressants and as much as this is annoying and really impacting me I don't tend to feel low (I'm annoyingly upbeat most of the time!). Just so spaced out I can barely read at times and have relentless adrenaline. What a pain! I am going to the doctor on Monday so hopefully they have some advice!