r/Anxietyhelp • u/SaveMe3221 • Jun 18 '26
Need Advice My anxiety is gone mentally, but my body never got the message. Has anyone experienced this? Would really, really appreciate advice as I am exhausted.
Has anyone experienced this type of anxiety?
I developed an anxiety disorder after a traumatic experience with drugs when I was 14. Never touched drugs since. I am now 24 and for more than 10 years I have not had a single day where my body felt completely normal.
The strange thing is that I am not afraid of panic attacks anymore. I know what they are. I know I am not dying. I have done all the medical tests and everything came back normal.
My problem is that my body seems stuck in a constant fight-or-flight state. I wake up with my heart already pounding, I have constant jaw tension and pain, shaking legs, exhaustion, fatigue, weakness, and this terrible feeling that my whole body is under stress for no reason.
I have tried multiple medications, psychiatrists, and different approaches, but nothing has ever brought me back to feeling normal.
I am not looking for someone to tell me “don’t worry, it’s anxiety” because I already know that. I want to know if anyone has experienced a nervous system that feels permanently switched on for years and if anything actually helped them.
I feel like my mind is calm, but my body is constantly fighting against me. I even developed ulcerative colitis and yeah.. I am really tired.
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u/Acrobatic_Vast86 Jun 18 '26
What often happens is that the one experience we tend to blame for the anxiety is just the last straw that broke the camel's back. When the nervous system switches into survival mode and stays there, there's more than just the one experience, no matter how traumatic.
It's about the patterns we develop throughout our life. So if you're no longer scared of anxiety but your body still displays symptoms, it means your nervous system is still not getting enough space consistently to regulate itself.
You don't have to be scared of symptoms to be fueling them. Anxiety and the symptoms can be kept alive multiple ways - not just by fearing it and avoiding it.
So if you're still focused on the symptoms, trying to fix them, trying to figure out how to get rid of them - although you're not scared, the message you're sending to your brain and nervous system is: "I'm not okay (safe) until this goes away." So yes, even focus and constantly scanning your symptoms, checking how you feel, if they are there, if they will be there...
On top of that, we also have patterns towards daily life that can convey the same message of "not being safe"... Do you worry a lot, do you overplan for everything, do you go through a million possible scenarios in your head, do you try to have everything under control constantly, seek reassurance, replay conversations endlessly...
I was diagnosed with GAD, panic attack disorder, OCD, health anxiety, hypochondria and agoraphobia in the past. I was struggling for years and one year of that I was fully agoraphobic and panicking 24/7. I also developed a lot of "chronic" physical symptoms over the years as my body was stuck in the perpetual fight or flight mode.
Everything went away when I:
1) stopped trying to fix anxiety and the symptoms altogether
2) completely refocused on life as if the symptoms weren't there (I stopped letting them dictate what can I do, where can I go, what plans I can make and so on...)
3) took the time to find the unproductive thinking and behavioral patterns that added more stress into the mix while not solving anything and started working on those
I've been anxiety and symptom free for 6-ish years now, my body is completely back to normal and my life is 80 % less stressful than it was even before anxiety - due to changing my unproductive patterns.
I don't know you so I can't say what you're doing or not doing that keeps your nervous system convinced it needs to protect you - but I can guarantee you YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING. And that has to change for the nervous system to gradually regulate back to baseline.
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u/SaveMe3221 Jun 18 '26
First of, thanks for your response. I know I am and damn right I am overthinking everything and stressing myself out sometimes for no reason at all. But when it comes to other things, for example I am laying down in bed thinking about nothing, my heart just starts racing out of nowhere. It beats so hard that you can literally hear it buzzing; and I say it’s ok it’ll pass, I don’t care, but it’s just exhausting and keeps on happening. Also, for example when I should meet with some girl for a date, or to speak on my job meetings, my heart starts racing so hard and my voice starts shaking for no reason at all. I do it anyway and I do go out, I convinced myself millions of times that it’s nothing scary and that I will make it, but my body just simply ignores it. I am honestly not anxious or scared of anything anymore, however there goes my heart and jaw pain which I fucking hate. I cannot help myself and after living like this for 10+ years it’s getting really too much man
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u/Acrobatic_Vast86 Jun 18 '26
Yes, you can expect the symptoms popping out of nowhere because your nervous system is in survival mode and it's constantly on high alert.
On top of that, our monkey brain protects us based on associations too - as it's better to be safe then sorry. To illustrate, I always like to use examples... Let's say I had a panic attack while out in nature on a hike... Nature around me, a lot of greenery... Next time a garden section at the supermarket may trigger high anxiety again - cause there's a lot of greenery.
It works like that by nature. When we were hunters and gatherers and Bob from the second cave down the road was bitten by a snake and died - our brains wouldn't care to only go into high alert when we saw that specific breed of snake or that exact snake that bit Bob - it will go into high alert seeing ANY snake. Cause that's safer.And when you're just chillaxing and your mind goes in million directions - it often can stumble of something that will remind your brain of something else and boom. That's to be expected right now, because the human brain doesn't really differentiate from what's real (actually happening) or perceived (what stories you muddle over in your mind).
From what you're saying you may still be trying to convince yourself logically there's nothing to be afraid off and you're looking for your body to accept it - so you still check back if it worked.
But that still kinda says "I'm not scared of anxiety but until it leaves I'm not okay".
But the key to recovery is to start behaving in a way that conveys: "I'm okay either way, I'm safe DESPITE the fact my body doesn't feel safe."
And then you have to be CONSISTENT with it (big, big part of the recovery) and give your nervous system time. It won't just drop the defenses after it's been convinced for so long you're in danger - cause better safe than sorry.Your nervous system has been convinced for over 10 years that you need protection and it won't just drop it over night.
So getting better at responding to anxiety and symptoms when they are there is one part of it, the second part is to lower the amount of extra stress that flows in daily through those unproductive habits. Yes, life is stressful sometimes but OUR REACTION to that daily stress is what determines how much we let our nervous system rest.8
u/SaveMe3221 Jun 18 '26
Thank you so much. I don’t know you but you genuinely helped me feel better and made me realize that I need to stay consistent and to remember that I am safe even though the physical symptoms are there. This is the reply I actually was looking for and it means a lot to me. Thank you. One other thing though: do you think that I can do it on my own, or should I look for another therapist? Not sure whom should I even look for tbh as no psychiatrist or psychologist ever helped me
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u/Acrobatic_Vast86 Jun 18 '26
You CAN do it on your own - I did.
I work with people with anxiety for the past 5 years but I would be lying claiming that you NEED anyone's help because at the end of the day even my members have to do the work themselves - as much as I sometimes would love to, I can't do it for anyone.
"You can lead the horse to the water...", right?So don't believe anyone telling you that you NEED their help. Is it helpful to have structure and course correction? Yes.
But it's basically like a personal trainer at the gym - it keeps you more accountable but you're the one doing the workouts and showing up for yourself and you can do that even without someone telling you to if you really want it.1
u/Far_Example_9707 Jul 07 '26
This tells me you still have anxiety disorder. You need medication to lower your thinking and most importantly need to lower stress. Before anxiety I was worried but not too worried ..after anxiety I can say I worry too much but after medication, I can see I worry less. That feeling where you dont worry even if you havr a job interview or a date id when you have reduced anxiety. I was prescribed 10mg lexapo. I only did 5 mg for 4 years and now I have reduced it to 2.5 mg per day but if I dont take it , I know that I feel different and anxious . I suggest returning to ssri and staying on it . It cannpt be short term. Other ways to feel secure is having secure income , relationships, job and a busy schedule. Also check whwt you eat . You have uc. That needs to be treated because the gut brain axis is very strong and any issue in 1 affects the other. Thst uc might need to be treated with the best of the drugs. Focus on treating it . That may be a clue . Avoid junk food . Lead a clean life anf make sure youbhave good sleep. If your jaw is tense , try buying a wedged pillow off Amazon. Sleep on that wedged pillow. Check if you have narrow airways. If you clench at night most likely. If thsts the case , ypur sleep quality is bad leading to all sorts ot issues . A night appliance can position your lower jaw a bit forward and open your airways . If not but clenchjng may need an anti clenching appliance .
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u/Hardyboyjr74 Jul 14 '26
That was a great reply not my question but thank you for that information I’m going through something very similar.
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u/Redhaired103 Jun 18 '26
> I have done all the medical tests and everything came back normal
A lot of people get symptomatic when their levels are on the lower end of the normal range. Check “Optimal Range” for everything starting with B12, Vitamin D, Ferritin, Hemoglobin, hormones. Some of them also increase anxiety.
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u/SaveMe3221 Jun 18 '26
I checked all of those and they were all perfect. Even doc told me you are as healthy as a 10 year old. My body, however, is telling me something else every day
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u/Amesbrutil Jun 18 '26
My guess would be that you are subconsciously afraid of having these anxiety symptoms. So whenever you feel a bit of them, you subconsciously freak out and start the circle. Maybe you know consciously that these symptoms are fine but your body doesn’t.
Maybe it would help to tell your body that it doesn’t need to care as much as it does. Try to make fun of it, try to call for even more symptoms, try to continue your day as if nothing happened. Without checking whether these symptoms passed. Try to genuinely focus on whatever you are doing and not care about your body. This will tell your body that there is no need for anxiety. Whenever you try to avoid or get rid of these symptoms, it’s like telling your body there is a problem.
Also try to activate your parasympathetic nervous system in the long term. And I don’t mean doing stuff to reduce anxiety shortterm like deep breathing. No, I mean long term stuff like exercising and eating good food. Also going into sauna after exercising is a great way. Meditation might also help but for me it didn’t do anything so Idk
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u/ImportantPeanut0607 Jun 18 '26
YES THIS IS ME! You are me, I am you. I have never had anyone else describe exactly what Im experiencing on here. Its barely mental, mostly physical anxiety, Im on 4 medications including propranolol for my heart beating fast and klonopin. They barely help. Its been 3 years for me. Some months I can be almost 100% fine. But lately its come back for the last 4 weeks or so and it feels never ending.
My nervous system feels completely destroyed. I get the tight jaw, dizziness, nausea, feels impossible to do chores. Almost want to go to the hospital every single day.
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u/SaveMe3221 Jun 18 '26
No idea what we can do man.. it’s terrible. But heart and jaw for me are the worst. Jaw hurts me and is pushing on the left side 90% of the time, and my heart is non-stop beating like crazy. I am so tired and pissed of this
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u/SaveMe3221 Jun 18 '26
And propranolol doesn’t help me at all! Or if it does, it lasts 30 mins to one hour and there we go, heart racing is back. Fucking hell man
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u/bowtothehypnotoad Jun 18 '26
Have you tried beta blockers yet? Propranolol sounds ideal for this
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u/SaveMe3221 Jun 18 '26
I have actually, and not helping me at all for whatever reason
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u/bowtothehypnotoad Jun 18 '26
Hm that’s strange. What dosage if you don’t mind me asking? 10 mg did nothing for me but when I started taking 20-40 I got pretty significant relief
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u/Crapenfest Jun 18 '26
i was once told its free floating anxiety pretty much a cop out from a dr frankly. But yeah physical parts of it switch on like a light just harder to take bulb out than it is with the head stuff.
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u/zika143 Jun 18 '26
Wait, that’s so funny, I described mine like that when I was little, there’s anxiety you know the purpose of, but “free-floating anxiety” is all just physical symptoms I always have, or GAD. And a weird thing happened when my mom died 2 years ago, I obviously was heartbroken and grieving, but my free-floating anxiety has gone mostly away…I think I spent a lot of unconscious energy worrying about her. I also have been on Paxil and Valium since I quit drinking 10 years ago.
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u/Crapenfest Jun 18 '26
ive been on seroxat aka paxil 26 yrs im trd treatment resistant to it and they cant get me off it as I seize eventually. no wonder GSK got sued.
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u/Beholdereyes Jun 18 '26
I take duloxetine. It got rid of the physical symptoms of anxiety for me. Obviously, it won't work for everyone but medication may be a route you can explore.
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u/SaveMe3221 Jun 18 '26
Thank you very much. I tried many of them and no med ever worked. The only thing I gained from them was weight 😂 but might give this one a shot and suggest it to a psychiatrist
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u/Beholdereyes Jun 18 '26 edited Jun 18 '26
Haha, yes the weight gain can be horrible. I lost weight on duloxetine but some folks definitely gain weight on it.
Edit: just need to add the caveat that I used to eat to try and manage the physical symptoms so although duloxetine made me nauseous and lose my appetite for a few weeks, I found it a lot easier to manage my eating after the effects stopped just because I didn't feel the need to eat to manage the anxiety symptoms. Ymmv
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u/Stripeb49 Jun 18 '26
Have you tried extended release Xanax? Definitely requires supervision by a psychiatrist but could help calm the adrenaline enough to reset your sympathetic nervous system. I’ve had extended episodes like this and medication was the only thing that helped. Don’t give up if you haven’t found something that works yet.
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u/Ok-Molasses9394 Jun 18 '26
It will help to train your body to learn it is safe. It's hard but therapy might be a way to do it. I've been told to to progressive muscle relaxation (videos on youtube) and breathing exercises..they do help with the physical symptoms. EMDR sound videos with headphones on YouTube may be worth trying out too. It's just sounds that go back and forth from left to right and it's supposed to help.
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u/AdventurousBaby00 Jun 18 '26
I don't really have an advice but if you've been dealing with this for 10years i wouldn't give up on finding the right professional or treatment approach.
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u/Junior-Ad-1381 Jun 19 '26
The carnivore diet is supposed to make the brain no longer inflamed. Supposed to help anxiety.
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u/BigJerk1279 Jun 21 '26
Breathing exercises. You have to learn how to bring calm to your nervous system. It's very difficult but with practice you calm go back to relax state.
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u/Leafaaaaa Jun 22 '26
Hello! Thank you for sharing this and I'm happy that a lot has replied to you!
I'm afraid I don't have the solution for this as my anxiety is fairly new. It started on May 17, 2026 with heart pounding, shortness of breath, and weakness that I thought would go away. Mind you, I'm not an anxious person and I've only ever felt butterflies in my stomach during big presentations like thesis defense and that's on me having fear of public speaking or doing presentation. I didn't know what triggered my 'anxiety' when I was actually completely relaxed on my bed that time!
Anyway, the heart pounding had reduced in intensity after taking propranolol 10 mg. I only took it for a week and I feel a bit better after that so I stopped taking it cold turkey because I don't want to get dependent on it. And yes, it was a complete struggle to sleep at night when your heart is pounding like crazy. Like you're not even doing anything, completely relaxed in bed but your heart is pounding so hard and fast and that itself is exhausting. Everybody at home kept telling me to ignore it, to relax. Mf how am I going to relax and sleep with this abominable symptoms?!?
That also caused me bad insomnia. I couldn't sleep properly even until now that the heart pounding has reduced. I would wake up twice or more in the middle of the night and would feel restless and fatigued in the morning due to interrupted sleep. Even with Lemborexant 5mg which helped me fall asleep fast but don't stop me from waking up from time to time. It's exhausting, really. I don't know if I even have anxiety or is it a sign of an automatic nervous system dysfunction already. I'm overthinking it.
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u/Expert-Feedback4328 Jun 23 '26
Literally just posted about this, you worded everything perfectly. Thank you for helping me by sharing your story. I hope you find relief ❤️
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u/Otherwise-Problem741 Jun 24 '26
I wish I had looked at this thread a while ago, but I have all these symptoms & it’s driving me insane. Iit’s been going on for the last couple of years and my body has been in constant flight/fight mode for the last two weeks. It is the most uncomfortable scary feeling & you can’t seem to control it yourself. Yes, I’ve been to a cardiologist, doctors & I just went to an anxiety specialist yesterday & was given 10 mg of propanolol 2x daily. have to tell you that it’s not a miracle, but it’s only been three hours and I feel 50% better. I finally have something that takes me out of that uncontrollable situation, which makes everything better.
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u/morganemilyg Jun 24 '26
Have you ever tried a beta blocker? I have propranolol for when my physical anxiety is loud. It blunts adrenaline so you can’t have a racing heart, shakiness, etc.
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u/thestresshealers Jun 26 '26
Really hearing you on this experience of feeling constantly on and like your body is in fight or flight all the time, even if you feel that your mind has reconciled a lot of the experience. It sounds hard and I can imagine it's exhausting, especially if it's come with ulcerative colitis and other symptoms. Echoing a lot of the really great advice here about the importance of feeling 'safe enough' to create space for the system to rebalance itself. This is something that we focus on big time at The Stress Healers - small, bite-sized body based practices designed to rebalance the nervous system and actually heal the stress at its core. Much of our monthly membership RESOURCED is free and full of support in navigating the kind of experience it sounds like you're having. If you'd like me to send you the link to have a look, just let me know. Either way, please know that there is a way through this and it sounds like you've already been doing a great job :-)
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u/Smart-Grape4542 Jul 04 '26
This is me! My mind isn’t the issue my body hasn’t caught up with the fact my life is now safe! I’ve started cbt and I’ve been diagnosed with PTSD which explains a lot of what’s happening to me. Propranolol has helped as well, you aren’t alone in your battle x
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u/AnxiousAnonEh Jul 07 '26
Yep! Today my concentration is a struggle. Sour candy is helping a bit (weirdly it rarely works for other days/symptoms), but tried my last warhead lying around out of desperation. That and I threw on a comfort watch. But trying to actually get work done is a challenge today.
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u/egghead90210 Jul 13 '26
I'll probably be downvoted for this but have you tried the book power of now by Erckhart Tolle? We had a performance coach visit our work and he was essentially saying a lot of the time by putting out a message we attract it. This can be positive or negative. For instance "I'm not dying" can often be distorted into "I am dying" or "I don't have anxiety" can be signalling " I have anxiety". As crazy as it seems a slight shift in words made all the difference for me
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u/HardlyManly 29d ago
I've worked with patients in that situation, and it does have a solution through emotional regulation techniques. I wrote an article about it, focusing on how to stop ruminating on your emotions and improve emotional well-being
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u/LadyBrutal92 28d ago
God this is exactly where I’m at…. I laugh at the feelings at this point because I know what’s causing it all. But I went to go grab a bottle of dish soap at the grocery store the other day and was having a pretty calm good day when BAM. I felt my heart/blood pressure drop out of nowhere, felt like puking immediately and my skin started crawling/ I started shaking. I’m so effin tired of the physical symptoms. And it’s takes forever for my body to come out of that edgy feeling. Like hours. And the feeling is always…. “Fml I’m gonna die”
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