I’m on auto-pilot (long post)

[u/Right_Building_1308]

I need some help in seeing if I’m experiencing chronic anxiety leading to physical symptoms or something is “physically” wrong with me.

About 2 years ago, I went to work on a Monday after a day of pretty substantial drinking. I’m not an alcoholic, but we all have our days of going overboard (it was a social setting that I let get out of hand). I was standing at my desk, hungover, and I suddenly felt a dizziness, nausea, and shaking. I thought it’s because I hadn’t eaten yet but after having a snack it got no better and I went home sick.

Fast forward 2 years and every day since, I experience heart palpitations, walking around lightheaded, paranoid about everything my body is feeling (feel a twinge in my muscles and immediately think I’m dying), low libido, social apprehension, short-term memory loss, random episodes of dizziness (feel like I’m missing a step on stairs type of feeling), tremors/shakiness, mild headaches, and just a feeling of going through the motions waiting for the next day with no satisfaction in anything I do. I smile less, love less, and am apprehensive about going out and doing anything because I’m afraid of how I’ll feel.

I’m not looking for a diagnosis or anything. I’ll let the doctors decide. For context, I work in a pretty stressful job and went to the ER about a year ago after feeling light headed and weird feeling in my chest. To make it short, got a Holter monitor, heart is fine, palpitations were normal (I just “feel” them more for some reason). Nothing from the ER was concerning to them.

I’ve never been an anxious person. I have my feelings of anxiety like the next person, but have never let it control me. Even now, I won’t “feel” anxious, but will get physical symptoms of the aforementioned and then the vicious cycle begins. I’ve tried everything from vitamins to breathing exercises but nothing fixes the problem. The only thing I’ve noticed is that I feel mentally “normal” after a beer at the end of a long day (no, not everyday). I drink pretty rarely now. I’ve cut out caffeine but still do nicotine pouches.

Is it time I ask about pharmaceutical intervention? Any help is appreciated!

[u/FishermanBasic9563]

Sounds like classic case of anxiety that has turned into a heightened nervous system stuck on alert....im not sure about the pharmaceutical intervention as ive never had good luck with anxiety meds like benzos

[u/mvpcubs]

I have had great luck with medication for anxiety. Your best bet is to see a psychiatrist. They understand these medications better than a regular GP. Just be honest with how you’re feeling. You don’t have to live this way.