what could these creepy sensations be
June 25, 2013 9:36 AM Subscribe
This doesn't happen all the time but rather during certain periods. It often happens after spending prolong periods at home without much social interaction, things going on in my life, or connection to the outside world, so that leads me to believe it's psychological.
This used to happen last year more often than now, but I'll get this feeling that I'm not breathing or can't breathe. I'm actually breathing but trick myself into thinking I'm not and I'll panic. Sometimes I'll feel like I went deaf in one ear and panic and try to test it out to make sure I'm still hearing. Other times I'll feel like my face is numb, I can't feel my hands, or they're losing function, and I'll frantically slap myself or shake my hands or something just to make sure I can still feel. It's not that numb feeling you get when your foot falls asleep. A few times, I felt a strange sensation as if my foot was hovering above my foot, as if it were no longer a part of me. Another thing is feeling that I'm going blind suddenly. I think sometimes something might be in my eye and block my vision, but I'll just overreact. In anxious situations with too much going on in terms of people, noises, activity, etc., I'll feel like there's an earthquake. It feels that real to me. Everything just seems to shake. Often, I just feel strange walking like I'm not stepping on anything. I get the feeling that death is imminent and for no apparent reason; I just feel like I'm going to die in any second. I feel like I'm paranoid in general. I'm really, extremely quiet in person and don't like to attract attention, but my inner paranoid self managed to come out one day when I smelled something unsettling and chemically which in hindsight was probably mothballs or a spray, so I started loudly saying, "Chemicals! I smell chemicals," while blocking my nose in a dramatic, panicked way, and I noticed some people looking at me. So basically I just have a lot of general freak outs and used that example to demonstrate that even my social inhibitions don't prevent the genuine panic that I feel from showing. I feel paranoid over things pertaining to health/death usually. The ones that are most unsettling are the weird sensations though since they feel very real and feel internal. Sometimes I just feel off and like something is happening to me or going to happen. I notice the internal stuff happens mostly at night and sometimes in reaction to excess caffeine but not always. That stuff is like acid to me.
How do I deal without taking pills? I really don't like taking them anymore because of choking fears, and I don't know if they have liquid versions of mental pills. That's another thing..thinking I'm choking when I'm not or that I'm going to choke
This used to happen last year more often than now, but I'll get this feeling that I'm not breathing or can't breathe. I'm actually breathing but trick myself into thinking I'm not and I'll panic. Sometimes I'll feel like I went deaf in one ear and panic and try to test it out to make sure I'm still hearing. Other times I'll feel like my face is numb, I can't feel my hands, or they're losing function, and I'll frantically slap myself or shake my hands or something just to make sure I can still feel. It's not that numb feeling you get when your foot falls asleep. A few times, I felt a strange sensation as if my foot was hovering above my foot, as if it were no longer a part of me. Another thing is feeling that I'm going blind suddenly. I think sometimes something might be in my eye and block my vision, but I'll just overreact. In anxious situations with too much going on in terms of people, noises, activity, etc., I'll feel like there's an earthquake. It feels that real to me. Everything just seems to shake. Often, I just feel strange walking like I'm not stepping on anything. I get the feeling that death is imminent and for no apparent reason; I just feel like I'm going to die in any second. I feel like I'm paranoid in general. I'm really, extremely quiet in person and don't like to attract attention, but my inner paranoid self managed to come out one day when I smelled something unsettling and chemically which in hindsight was probably mothballs or a spray, so I started loudly saying, "Chemicals! I smell chemicals," while blocking my nose in a dramatic, panicked way, and I noticed some people looking at me. So basically I just have a lot of general freak outs and used that example to demonstrate that even my social inhibitions don't prevent the genuine panic that I feel from showing. I feel paranoid over things pertaining to health/death usually. The ones that are most unsettling are the weird sensations though since they feel very real and feel internal. Sometimes I just feel off and like something is happening to me or going to happen. I notice the internal stuff happens mostly at night and sometimes in reaction to excess caffeine but not always. That stuff is like acid to me.
How do I deal without taking pills? I really don't like taking them anymore because of choking fears, and I don't know if they have liquid versions of mental pills. That's another thing..thinking I'm choking when I'm not or that I'm going to choke
I am not any kind of mental health professional (though I have been a recipient of treatment) but I hereby internet diagnose you as having anxiety OUT THE WAZOO.
Whether I'm right or wrong, your first step is to call your doctor and schedule an appointment. Tell them what you wrote here (print this and bring it to your appointment). Your GP will probably refer you to a therapist, psychiatrist, and/or psychologist. Follow those referrals. Do not get caught in "I can't take pills pills are the only thing that could help but I can't take them therefore there is no help" loop. It might not require pills, now or ever. You won't know unless and until you seek some actual treatment.
Other things that might be helpful in the meantime: Various forms of meditation (sitting, walking, etc.), yoga, exercise, good sleep practices. But you sound like you're in a pretty acute crisis phase; personally, I have only found the meditation-type things useful - in that I mean I could actually *use* them effectively - when I was not in the midst of a spiraling crisis.
posted by rtha at 9:44 AM on June 25, 2013 [5 favorites]
Whether I'm right or wrong, your first step is to call your doctor and schedule an appointment. Tell them what you wrote here (print this and bring it to your appointment). Your GP will probably refer you to a therapist, psychiatrist, and/or psychologist. Follow those referrals. Do not get caught in "I can't take pills pills are the only thing that could help but I can't take them therefore there is no help" loop. It might not require pills, now or ever. You won't know unless and until you seek some actual treatment.
Other things that might be helpful in the meantime: Various forms of meditation (sitting, walking, etc.), yoga, exercise, good sleep practices. But you sound like you're in a pretty acute crisis phase; personally, I have only found the meditation-type things useful - in that I mean I could actually *use* them effectively - when I was not in the midst of a spiraling crisis.
posted by rtha at 9:44 AM on June 25, 2013 [5 favorites]
I know several anxiety-prone people whose symptoms pretty much cease to trouble them if they quit caffeine completely, get better sleep, and cut back on screen time in favour of moderate outdoor exercise. You might care to do all those things while you wait for your doctor's appointment.
posted by flabdablet at 9:52 AM on June 25, 2013
posted by flabdablet at 9:52 AM on June 25, 2013
I feel paranoid over things pertaining to health/death usually. The ones that are most unsettling are the weird sensations though since they feel very real and feel internal. Sometimes I just feel off and like something is happening to me or going to happen. I notice the internal stuff happens mostly at night and sometimes in reaction to excess caffeine but not always.
This is just classic panic attack. It sucks.
Go see your doctor. They can help you find a psychiatrist. Medication can seriously help you. The choking fear is just your anxiety talking. After the medicine works a bit, you won't be afraid of that anymore.
posted by Lutoslawski at 10:08 AM on June 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
This is just classic panic attack. It sucks.
Go see your doctor. They can help you find a psychiatrist. Medication can seriously help you. The choking fear is just your anxiety talking. After the medicine works a bit, you won't be afraid of that anymore.
posted by Lutoslawski at 10:08 AM on June 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
(a) I agree with rtha, this sounds like some form of anxiety/panic disorder.
(b) I am not a doctor or pharmacist, but there are pharmacies known as "compounding pharmacies" that can supply medications in nonstandard forms (such as liquid) or doses.
(c) Anxiety and panic disorders are often successfully treated in the long-term through therapy as well, so just because you may want/need medication now doesn't mean that you'll be stuck taking chill pills forever.
I wish you luck.
posted by drlith at 10:14 AM on June 25, 2013
(b) I am not a doctor or pharmacist, but there are pharmacies known as "compounding pharmacies" that can supply medications in nonstandard forms (such as liquid) or doses.
(c) Anxiety and panic disorders are often successfully treated in the long-term through therapy as well, so just because you may want/need medication now doesn't mean that you'll be stuck taking chill pills forever.
I wish you luck.
posted by drlith at 10:14 AM on June 25, 2013
I want to add my voice to those encouraging you to speak to your doctor and a therapist about this. It does sound as though you are living with a great deal of anxiety and that is something a therapist can help you with.
You do not have to take medication. A good therapist will respect your desires there. But you may want to contemplate that your aversion to medication may likewise be a manifestation of your anxiety. You may find that you can only do so much work on your anxiety without the aid of medication, and you may find that in time, your aversion to medication will lessen, so I encourage you merely to keep an open mind about medication as you go through this.
Be kind to yourself. There is help out there for you, and there's no shame in asking for help sometimes.
posted by gauche at 10:20 AM on June 25, 2013
You do not have to take medication. A good therapist will respect your desires there. But you may want to contemplate that your aversion to medication may likewise be a manifestation of your anxiety. You may find that you can only do so much work on your anxiety without the aid of medication, and you may find that in time, your aversion to medication will lessen, so I encourage you merely to keep an open mind about medication as you go through this.
Be kind to yourself. There is help out there for you, and there's no shame in asking for help sometimes.
posted by gauche at 10:20 AM on June 25, 2013
You may not require medication if you can improve your situation of spending prolong[ed] periods at home without much social interaction, things going on in my life, or connection to the outside world. Also, if you are not taking proper care of your health during those times, you're increasing the burden on your adrenal glands and increasing the likelihood of what definitely appear to be panic attacks.
You could certainly try that first. Get outside daily, interact, get exercise, eat real food, sleep real sleep. But what you're describing sounds like depression, which is very difficult to get on top of on your own, and it would be to your benefit to get help sooner rather than later.
It may take medication for a while to break the cycle. Some medications do come in patch/tongue strip/liquid/spray. Some don't. Your airway is larger than pills anyway, but there are many tricks for taking pills, which the internet can help you with. This may just be a thing you need to power through until the anxiety about it fades.
Panic attacks aren't generally triggered in a "X happened then panic attack" way. If you can pinpoint a direct cause, that's an anxiety attack. Panic attacks are more of a random adrenal coredump, and their randomness combined with their very physical symptoms means that most sufferers think they are dying during an event. It doesn't help it pass any faster.
posted by Lyn Never at 10:27 AM on June 25, 2013
You could certainly try that first. Get outside daily, interact, get exercise, eat real food, sleep real sleep. But what you're describing sounds like depression, which is very difficult to get on top of on your own, and it would be to your benefit to get help sooner rather than later.
It may take medication for a while to break the cycle. Some medications do come in patch/tongue strip/liquid/spray. Some don't. Your airway is larger than pills anyway, but there are many tricks for taking pills, which the internet can help you with. This may just be a thing you need to power through until the anxiety about it fades.
Panic attacks aren't generally triggered in a "X happened then panic attack" way. If you can pinpoint a direct cause, that's an anxiety attack. Panic attacks are more of a random adrenal coredump, and their randomness combined with their very physical symptoms means that most sufferers think they are dying during an event. It doesn't help it pass any faster.
posted by Lyn Never at 10:27 AM on June 25, 2013
I highly recommend books by Claire Weekes for anxiety/panic, especially Hope and Help for Your Nerves. I was on the verge of crippling agoraphobia when a therapist pointed me to it, and the techniques it taught me worked so well that I have not had a panic attack since. In fact, I think a panic attack would be impossible now, because what the book teaches is how to reinterpret the sensations of panic when they arise so that they don't spiral. Also, don't hesitate to see a physician or therapist. Anxiety is very treatable.
posted by Wordwoman at 10:33 AM on June 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Wordwoman at 10:33 AM on June 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
I'm sorry you're having these disturbing feelings. Reading your past questions, it seems like you've got a range of issues going on in your life, in your heart, and in your mind. Enough issues that I don't think you are going to make much headway on solving them without professional help. You mentioned in an earlier question that you were trying to get back into therapy. That is a very, very good idea; if you need suggestions on how to make that happen, I am sure the Hivemind can give good ideas based on where you are, your insurance situation, and what you can afford.
posted by whitewall at 10:57 AM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by whitewall at 10:57 AM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
Long slow walks, Buteyko breathing, Heartmath's emwave, and especially high-intensity interval training (sprinting, going hard on the elliptical or treadmill, etc. for brief periods with recovery) will increase your carbon dioxide tolerance, which will reduce the intensity, duration and frequency all of that weirdness. Don't overdo any of them.
The above is in addition to any mental or physical solutions you explore.
Sitting around alone for long periods of time over weeks and months will physiologically make things worse (as your circulatory and nervous systems de-train), so get out and move. IANAD.
posted by zeek321 at 11:57 AM on June 25, 2013
The above is in addition to any mental or physical solutions you explore.
Sitting around alone for long periods of time over weeks and months will physiologically make things worse (as your circulatory and nervous systems de-train), so get out and move. IANAD.
posted by zeek321 at 11:57 AM on June 25, 2013
I have agoraphobia and Generalized Anxiety disorder. Being out in the world is painful for me. And if I don't leave the house at least once a week, I start to slip back into the mindset that makes it so hard to leave. I am also very medicated for this because after years of misery and trying to cope without meds, it was obvious that nothing else was going to help. I lost several years of my life to this. If your problem is as bad as it looks, don't rule out meds. Even if you don't want to take them forever, the symptomatic relief they lend can help you feel well enough to start other treatments like exercise and therapy. My mother has had panic attacks since I was a child and I've watched her try to function when not medicated. It is like living with a randomly firing adrenalin grenade. You never know when a panic attack will happen and just living with that knowledge made her a mess even when they weren't happening. Luckily, Zoloft was the magic duct tape that keeps the grenade from going off for her. Medication is a small price to pay for being able to live your life.
It is just impossible to keep it together when your brain is chemically betraying you. No one in my family has been able to get on with just therapy because it isn't a software problem (thoughts), it is a hardware problem (brain & genes).
posted by monopas at 12:34 PM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
It is just impossible to keep it together when your brain is chemically betraying you. No one in my family has been able to get on with just therapy because it isn't a software problem (thoughts), it is a hardware problem (brain & genes).
posted by monopas at 12:34 PM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
This sounds like anxiety. First, I'd figure out what increases or triggers your anxiety. For me it was not getting enough sleep, drinking too much caffeine and, oddly, spending too much time in my house when it was messy. By getting on a normal sleep schedule and making my life feel more organized and more in control, that helped with my anxiety a lot.
Also, I am not sure what you have against pills, but I found a very, very low dose of lorazepam when I felt an attack coming up was enough to stop the physical symptoms of my anxiety. It wasn't an everyday pill, it was only when I had an attack, so once a week at most. Just knowing I had it in case I freaked out helped a lot. If you are having these anxiety attacks everyday, you'll want to talk to a doctor about your options. (And as for your choking fears, my lorazepam pill is like the size of a crumb. And, let's be honest, your choking fears are irrational anxiety, which is exactly why you may need the pills.)
posted by AppleTurnover at 12:54 PM on June 25, 2013
Also, I am not sure what you have against pills, but I found a very, very low dose of lorazepam when I felt an attack coming up was enough to stop the physical symptoms of my anxiety. It wasn't an everyday pill, it was only when I had an attack, so once a week at most. Just knowing I had it in case I freaked out helped a lot. If you are having these anxiety attacks everyday, you'll want to talk to a doctor about your options. (And as for your choking fears, my lorazepam pill is like the size of a crumb. And, let's be honest, your choking fears are irrational anxiety, which is exactly why you may need the pills.)
posted by AppleTurnover at 12:54 PM on June 25, 2013
Sounds exactly like panic attacks, I've had those exact same sensations. I've always had a very difficult time swallowing pills (for the same reason it sounds like, it feels like I'll choke or inhale the pill somehow) but honestly taking medication to get my anxiety under control has been the best thing I've ever done.
It might not be the same way for you but lowering my anxiety levels actually made swallowing pills a lot easier. I still can't swallow large or thick pills but I can swallow small/flat pills (including my Celexa) with no real problems.
I've found using applesauce is a lifesaver if you have difficulty swallowing pills. It's thin enough to easily swallow without feeling like you have to chew it (or that you'll choke on it) but thick enough to mask the pill so you don't get that 'oh god there's something solid in my mouth I'll choke if I swallow' feeling. So, you could try that and see if it helps you swallow more easily. I had to practice with no pills in it at first until I got comfortable with it but since then it's made dealing with pills so much easier.
If you're really against taking a daily pill (I was, I resisted for years) then you might find just getting a prescription for Xanax helpful. I don't think you would have any trouble getting your doctor to prescribe it and honestly, just because you fill it doesn't mean you have to take it.
I didn't take any for months until I broke down because my anxiety was just spiraling out of control. I took very small amounts first (you can break the pill up) and it helped a lot. (Now that my anxiety is better regulated I don't take it at all.)
Whether medication comes into it or not, the main thing is to just find what will get your anxiety under better control. That will be the thing that will help you the most, and will help stop the panic attacks. There's already been a lot of good suggestions, you just have to find what works for you since everyone is different.
Taking medication for anxiety (or depression) isn't a failing. Just because there are people out there who manage to control their symptoms with just therapy or yoga or whatever else they've found that works doesn't mean that everyone is able to do the same. And just because you start taking it doesn't mean you'll be taking it the rest of your life.
Also, seconding that a good therapist/psychiatrist will not force you to take medication. I was in therapy for years before I finally started taking meds and while it was occasionally brought up it was never pushed on me.
posted by kassila at 7:44 PM on June 25, 2013
It might not be the same way for you but lowering my anxiety levels actually made swallowing pills a lot easier. I still can't swallow large or thick pills but I can swallow small/flat pills (including my Celexa) with no real problems.
I've found using applesauce is a lifesaver if you have difficulty swallowing pills. It's thin enough to easily swallow without feeling like you have to chew it (or that you'll choke on it) but thick enough to mask the pill so you don't get that 'oh god there's something solid in my mouth I'll choke if I swallow' feeling. So, you could try that and see if it helps you swallow more easily. I had to practice with no pills in it at first until I got comfortable with it but since then it's made dealing with pills so much easier.
If you're really against taking a daily pill (I was, I resisted for years) then you might find just getting a prescription for Xanax helpful. I don't think you would have any trouble getting your doctor to prescribe it and honestly, just because you fill it doesn't mean you have to take it.
I didn't take any for months until I broke down because my anxiety was just spiraling out of control. I took very small amounts first (you can break the pill up) and it helped a lot. (Now that my anxiety is better regulated I don't take it at all.)
Whether medication comes into it or not, the main thing is to just find what will get your anxiety under better control. That will be the thing that will help you the most, and will help stop the panic attacks. There's already been a lot of good suggestions, you just have to find what works for you since everyone is different.
Taking medication for anxiety (or depression) isn't a failing. Just because there are people out there who manage to control their symptoms with just therapy or yoga or whatever else they've found that works doesn't mean that everyone is able to do the same. And just because you start taking it doesn't mean you'll be taking it the rest of your life.
Also, seconding that a good therapist/psychiatrist will not force you to take medication. I was in therapy for years before I finally started taking meds and while it was occasionally brought up it was never pushed on me.
posted by kassila at 7:44 PM on June 25, 2013
it sounds like it could be a whole lot of anxiety but could also possibly be dissociation with feeling numb or that your foot is above itself.
posted by wildflower at 8:07 PM on June 25, 2013
posted by wildflower at 8:07 PM on June 25, 2013
Anxiety is very real, and can make your life miserable. When you feel panicked or like you can't breathe, A very cold wet washcloth on your face is very effective. Cold water on the face induces the Mammalian Dive Reflex,, which affects your breathing, and can stop a panic attack. I have used this many times.
You can get a prescription for Xanax, which a fast-acting, short-acting anti-anxiety med. In a panic attack, you can put it under your tongue for fast absorption.
Therapy to learn ways to reduce your anxiety can make your life a lot more manageable.
posted by theora55 at 9:42 PM on June 25, 2013
You can get a prescription for Xanax, which a fast-acting, short-acting anti-anxiety med. In a panic attack, you can put it under your tongue for fast absorption.
Therapy to learn ways to reduce your anxiety can make your life a lot more manageable.
posted by theora55 at 9:42 PM on June 25, 2013
Response by poster: yes my last questions were kind of depressing. the guy issue is not as bad now. I feel hurt in ways still, but I said bye to him when he came back because I don't want more drama or anxiety in my life, so it can only get better in that area. I've been working on the other issues as well too
posted by wholecornandsalt at 3:42 AM on June 28, 2013
posted by wholecornandsalt at 3:42 AM on June 28, 2013
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posted by ubiquity at 9:42 AM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]