Blanking

Hi,

I have suffered from panic attacks and anxiety for 16 years now (I am 27) so as you can imagine I have had tons of symptoms. I go from thinking I'm having a heart attack to a brain tumour to a stroke etc. etc.

However, I have suddenly developed new symptoms that are scaring me.

I have had an enlarged node on the right hand side of my neck since I was about 10 - it's never really caused me any concerns. In the past year or so I have been really aware of it and maybe I am tensing up on that side without really being aware that I am?? Anyway for the last two months or so I have been having pain in both ears (mainly the right hand side), pain down my head and neck, right down to my shoulder (on the right hand side).

On Sunday I was standing at work and my left leg felt really heavy. I have been to the doc about this and she said it was a "new symptom". Later at work all of a sudden I felt like my brain just shut off - it was like -click- and my brain went off. I stumbled a bit and had to steady myself against a box. The sensation that my brain "switched off" only lasted a few seconds but it scared the life out of me. It happened again last night when I was sitting at the computer (altho this time I was sitting so didn't stumble) it was like my head rolled forward when my brain went blank. I have had a terrible headache (possibly tension headache) ever since it happened on Sunday. I am really scared of these symptoms. My doc keeps telling me that it's just new symptoms of anxiety but these things are ruining my life. What if one time it's not a "new symptom"?? (My mum died of cancer when she was 36 after being misdiagnosed a number of times which is why I feel this way.)

Has anyone experienced this "brain freeze" thing before....I'm really stressing about it?

I hope someone can get back to me.

Thanks! xx

Hi Fighting

I have experienced similar but I wouldn't exactly describe it as my brain switching off, more like just extreme confusion and for a few seconds I just can't think of what to do or say. I have never collapsed from it, although I have had times when I've felt the need to brace myself against something.

Unfortunately, once a doctor knows you suffer from anxiety, you could turn up at the surgery with a severed arm in a bag and they'd just say it was anxiety causing it.

Best wishes

Chris

Hi

This certainly could be a new symptom of anxiety and the fact that you are so worried at the moment makes things seem even worse. I have had many symptoms along with all other sufferers on this site but like rabidbager says its more like confusion than switching off.

If you still feel really concerned it may be worth getting a second opinion a lot of GPs are keen to put things in neat little boxes but you are entitled to get as many opinions as you feel necessary. Hope you get this sorted soon.

Take care

Jayne

Thanks for your input guys. This is anxiety I am sure of it - I AM SICK OF THIS, IT'S NOT GOING TO CONTROL ME ANYMORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately I can't quite convey over a messageboard just how angry I am at my mind and myself for letting this rule my life for quite so long.

No more - I have had enough. I am tired, I lack concentration and memory, I am living on eggshells and it's been going on too long. I rule my mind not the other way around. I am getting rid of the negative thoughts; they don't belong to me now. I used to have a use for them but they are old news for me now - I no long require those horrible dark thoughts.

Thanks again for your advice.

:)

Hi Fighting

It's good that you recognise that you are in charge but being angry with yourself/your mind will only cause further frustration and anxiety and give the anxiety a significance that your unconscious mind will use to reproduce it.

We are good at being able to reacreate things that stand out as being important to us and ignoring things that aren't. So rather than getting angry with it, try to ignore it whilst keeping the "I am the boss" attitude.

Best wishes

Chris

I just had an attack today. At first I thought I was dying, but once I calmed myself down a bit, I looked up panic attacks on the internet and it matched my symptoms perfectly. I'm living abroad, and for the past couple months I've been waiting to start a job. As a result, I have too much free time and I've started to worry about the usual things like strokes, heart attacks, cancer, etc, more than usual. Living in a different culture and the different surroundings are no doubt contributing to my recent problems.

Finding this forum and other info really helped to ease my fears a bit, now that I know you guys share my same feeling and symptoms. Things make a lot more sense. When I had my attack today, I first felt kind of nauseated and then suddenly, my hands, arms, legs, and head got that tingling feeling. Then I got up and left the apartment, leaving my girlfriend behind. I guess these feeling are pretty normal.

About that feeling that your brain in "blanking out," I think it's not an unusual symptom. I've been having that feeling for over a year now -- I think it's the same. Sometimes when I'm sitting in class or focusing on something else, it feels like I lose consciousness for a split second and almost tumble to the floor, but I always catch myself in time.

Thanks for your input guys. This is anxiety I am sure of it - I AM SICK OF THIS, IT'S NOT GOING TO CONTROL ME ANYMORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately I can't quite convey over a messageboard just how angry I am at my mind and myself for letting this rule my life for quite so long.

No more - I have had enough. I am tired, I lack concentration and memory, I am living on eggshells and it's been going on too long. I rule my mind not the other way around. I am getting rid of the negative thoughts; they don't belong to me now. I used to have a use for them but they are old news for me now - I no long require those horrible dark thoughts.

Thanks again for your advice.

:)

:) Good on you ,thats the spirit ! tell the bugger to 'go away'..it is hard work,but then so is life, and you are worth the effort,the rewards are immense.
I can feel how angry you are ,I know how angry I get lol
stay strong but dont beat yourself ,be gentle with yourself and save the beating for the negative monster .

good luck Fighting :)
jan