What is causing my body to feel tense, shaky, and lightheaded after living with anxiety for years?
F37, It started a little over two years ago. My eyes felt tense and sometimes like they were about to go into spasm. I also had the same feeling in my arms sometimes, tense like a violin string. It has gotten worse lately, my body feels tense all the time, my head has a strange feeling of lightness and "not quite right" my ears are buzzing and my body is shaky. There are moments when I feel "normal" and when my husband was here for two months I felt great. I have lived with anxiety to varying degrees my whole life but I don't recognize myself and above all I get so very scared. scared of having a seizure, of collapsing or losing control. Doctors have checked my blood values and the only thing that was a little low was B12. Otherwise they don't do anything because "it's in your head". And that's what I WANT to believe at the same time as I think there is something wrong with me physically. I actually don't know what to do, I just want to feel good.
How long have you been experiencing these specific symptoms?:
- More than 1 yearHow would you rate the severity of your symptoms on a scale of 1 to 10?:
- 4-6 (moderate)Do you notice any patterns or triggers that make your symptoms worse?:
- No clear triggersHave you experienced any additional symptoms alongside these, like headaches or fatigue?:
- No additional symptomsHow is your current mental health and emotional state?:
- Frequently anxious or depressedHave you made any lifestyle changes recently that could affect your symptoms?:
- No changes recentlyHave you sought any treatments for your anxiety or these symptoms before?:
- Alternative therapies (like yoga or meditation)100% Anonymously
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Doctors' responses
It’s quite possible that your anxiety could be contributing significantly to the symptoms you’re experiencing. Anxiety can cause a wide variety of physical sensations, including the tension, shakiness, and lightheadedness you describe. However, it’s also important to consider contributing factors outside of anxiety, especially since you’ve noted a low B12 level. Vitamin B12 is crucial for nerve health and deficiency can lead to neurological symptoms like shakiness, lightheadedness, and even psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Therefore, addressing this deficiency should be prioritized. Work with your healthcare provider to correct your B12 levels through diet or supplementation, and monitor how this affects your symptoms.
In addition to addressing the B12 deficiency, consider strategies for managing your anxiety, which can amplify physical symptoms. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be very effective in providing tools to manage anxiety. Additionally, regular exercise, mindfulness practices like meditation, and ensuring adequate sleep can fortify your resilience against the stress and anxiety. If lifestyle adjustments are not helping, you might discuss with your doctor the potential benefit of medication. SSRIs or SNRIs, which are common types of antidepressant medications, can be helpful in managing chronic anxiety.
Since you mentioned that you felt better when your husband was present, the role of social support is something you might explore further. Isolation can exacerbate anxiety, so maintaining regular contact with friends, family, or support groups might alleviate some of your symptoms. It’s essential to communicate openly with your healthcare providers about your symptoms and concerns, and to seek medical attention if symptoms escalate or if you have new alarming symptoms, such as severe dizziness, losing consciousness, or unexplained muscle weakness, to rule out other possible conditions.
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