Join Our Community!
Share
Mental Health > Anxiety and Stress Forum > Question About Anxiety Symptoms
Learn how doctors clinically diagnose one of twelve kinds of anxiety disorders...and which doctors you should see for an anxiety diagnosis....
Anxiety disorders can affect anyone. But do you know the common signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders? Learn more now....
Anxiety is a normal, healthy emotion when experienced during specific moments. But do you know the signs that anxiety has gotten out of control? Read more here...
Avatar
Q: Question About Anxiety Symptoms
asked by: zoomers74 on November 8th, 2007
New User
There is one thing that I am not clear on regarding Anxiety symptoms. Do the symptoms mentioned above only occur when feeling anxious or when having a panic attack? Can they be felt everyday even when not feeling anxious about anything? Reason I ask, I have the pins & needles in both my arms, pain in both arms, chest pain, neck pain, back pain etc... daily for the last few months. All the signs of a heart attack... however I have had 2 EKG's & blood work within the last 4 months that came back perfect. I am planning on seeing my Dr. next week and am wondering if I should push to test my heart (of which he thinks there is nothing wrong) or if I should start looking at Anxiety treatment.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Replies(3)
Avatar
Marikallees
replied on November 9th, 2007
New User
>Can they be felt everyday even when not feeling anxious about anything?
Absolutely! Stress symptoms can show up at the time of stress (the fight or flight reaction), or they can show up well after the fact due to gradually built up stress. As an example, you don't have any ill effects the first time you clench your teeth, but if you do it habitually, you'll start getting headaches.

Just because you don't feel anxious doesn't mean you aren't still reacting to stress. If you've already had fairly conclusive tests for your heart (barring an ultrasound by a cardiologist, which you probably don't need, I'd say you're good) then when you see your doctor, you should mention that you're worried about your heart and ask him for advice about anxiety.

The big thing is that if your doctor doesn't know that you're worried, he'll diagnose your symptoms and maybe make a passing comment about stress. In my experience, you're not likely to get a sympathetic reaction from the doctor unless you let him know that you're anxious and he should consider mental causes. Anxiety is a symptom too, and adding it to the list gives him more to work with in helping you solve the problem.
Did you find this post useful?
|
User Profile
Georgia59
replied on November 9th, 2007
Especially eHealthy
There is a difference between regular stress symptoms and panic attacks. Panic attacks are a sudden onset of physical symptoms, and usually a feeling like you're going to die, or can't breathe, or something like that. Stress symptoms are more every day dull symptoms that drag you down. Tell your doc all your symptoms, mental and physical. Honestly, it sounds like it could be neurological, heart, anything- or anxiety. Just be open and honest and communicate with your doc.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
zoomers74
replied on November 9th, 2007
New User
Thanks so much for the sound advice! I am going to discuss my anxiety issues with my Dr next week and go from there.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Quick Reply
Search