Anxiety
Disorders
Anxiety is something that affects many of us with Fibro. Feelings of fear and anxiety are a normal reaction to stress which we all known is a common Fibro Symptom.
It is not known why those of us with the condition suffer with anxiety, but it is thought to be linked to a deficiency in Serotonin which a lot of us have.
Worries, doubts and fears are a normal part of life which doesn’t interfere in normal daily activities, however if it does this is when it is called an Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
People with GAD experience persistent and unrealistic worrying about issues such as money, health, family and work for a period of 6 months or more.
Symptoms include:
- Feeling restless, worried, nervous or irritable
- Muscle Tension
- Sweating
- Trembling or Twitching
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Sleep Disorders
- Digestive Issues
Panic Disorder
Some people may experience Panic Attacks. This is a sudden onset of intense feeling of fear, the need to escape or like you are losing control and can last minutes or hours. When attacks occur repeatedly this is known as Panic Disorder
Symptoms include:
- Excessive sweating, trembling, shaking
- Heart palpations, raise heart Rate, chest pain
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath, choking
- Feeling dizzy, faint, lightheaded
- Nausea
- Numbness, tingling sensations
Social Anxiety Disorder
This is another Anxiety Disorder you may be diagnosed with. It is where you have extreme fear of being scrutinized or judged by others in social situations.
Symptoms are the same as Panic Disorder but also include:
- Avoiding social situations
- Intense Anxiety in social situations
- Concerned what people think
- Sensitive to criticism and rejection
Because dealing with Fibromyalgia causes a lot of stress, this can make your condition worse.
“I know I feel more tense and anxious now than I have ever done, and it certainly is a trigger for my Flares, and I am working hard to remove as much Stress from my Life that I can.”
…. Tracy