Saturday, June 04, 2011
For a number of years i have been experiencing spells of malaise that last a few minutes to a few hours and continue for a day or two. these episodes are not triggered by any specific incident. It can happen anytime. I can go for weeks without one but then it can happen for a week. I have been taking Adivan (Lorazapam) and it works fairly well. But not always. These feelings Can be really terrible. I do not feel suicidal but I do feel a disconnect. I have seen my internist and have had many sessions with a therapist. No one can determine any cause. In addition to the malaise there is slight lightheadedness, chest pain (thoroughly checked out my heart with about six visits to the emergency department and many tests) I have tried cutting out coffee, alcohol and some foods. There is never any change. Sometimes it definitely feels like a physical issue and other times I'm convinced it is emotional. It feels like some switch is flipped on and suddenly I'm feeling yucky. Exercising can help a little bit but it doesn't cure it. I exercise about one hour per day. This has been going on long enough to eliminate a number of short term causes like certain environmental suspects.
Any ideas?
Thanks for your question and welcome to AnxietyConnection.com.
I am not a medical professional and would not be able to give you medical advice or diagnose your condition.
You indicate that doctors have ruled out medical conditions. Do they believe this is being caused by anxiety? You also say you have seen a therapist, are you continuing to see a therapist?
Medication, as you say, can help anxiety but it isn't considered a long-term solution. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy have been found to be more effective long-term.
As many people here on the site will tell you, managing symptoms of anxiety is not easy, but with lifestyle changes (such as exercise, eating right, getting the right amount of sleep) anxiety can be lessened. Medication helps but should not be used as the only way to treat anxiety. Therapy, both cognitive behavioral theapy to help you learn new thought processes, and talk therapy to help cope with the symptoms of anxiety all play a part in treating the overall anxiety. Other ways to help include meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises.
I hope this helps.
Eileen
Thank you for your comments. I do continue to see a therapist, I eat well and have lost weight. I have used breathing exercises and other practices. They have all helped. Given that these sudden blah feelings come on without any discernible cause I don't know where to attack the cause. This also leaves the possibility that they are caused by some physical/biological change. I wait and my body seems to come back into balance on its own - in the meantime, affirmative use of breathing, meditation and talk therapy softens the effect.