Does physical illness increase anxiety?

[DustingMyselfOff]

Always hard to tell which comes first: do I feel physically lousy because my anxiety is flaring or is my anxiety flaring because I'm coming down with something viral? I have had a really good run with my anxiety - it hasn't caused me any significant problems for several weeks but I noticed it starting to rise yesterday, and today I'm feeling anxious AND like I'm coming down with something.

Is there a connection? Is there a physiological reason why our anxiety would wake up when we're coming down with some bug or illness?
Sue

[AntsyVee]

It can. Anxiety is usually a result of stress. You and your body can be stressed out from a physical illness...but your physical illness can also be caused or worsened by stress. And stress makes anxiety worse.

It's a chicken or the egg paradox that isn't usually worth trying to solve. The thing in your best interest is to treat the stress, as treatments for stress are also treatments for anxiety: Eat well, get enough sleep, daily exercise, talk to someone about your worries/feelings, take your medications on time, etc.

[DustingMyselfOff]

Yes, definitely always has been a chicken or egg thing with me. So as silly as this sounds, if I wake up feeling physically bad tomorrow I will be relieved, knowing that that is the cause of my anxiety flaring and that it is temporary and nothing I have to dig deeper to find the source of. There's really nothing stressing me out that would have caused this. But then again, I've spent my life stuffing down and denying stressful things, so.... who knows?:shrug:
Sue

[AntsyVee]

I think you just answered your own question there ;) Sounds like it's time for a vacation!

[pulisa]

Yes, definitely always has been a chicken or egg thing with me. So as silly as this sounds, if I wake up feeling physically bad tomorrow I will be relieved, knowing that that is the cause of my anxiety flaring and that it is temporary and nothing I have to dig deeper to find the source of. There's really nothing stressing me out that would have caused this. But then again, I've spent my life stuffing down and denying stressful things, so.... who knows?:shrug:
Sue

Do you really have to dig deeper anyway as regards the source of your anxiety? I'd say just let it be and don't give it any significance? I live with a chronic pain condition but am rarely ill with viruses etc but if I were strangely I am far less stressed and anxious..I suppose because it's a common thing to have a bug and it has an ending whereas with an anxiety disorder it's a whole different thing...

Sorry, Sue, this probably makes no sense at all?!:D

[DustingMyselfOff]

Do you really have to dig deeper anyway as regards the source of your anxiety? I'd say just let it be and don't give it any significance? I live with a chronic pain condition but am rarely ill with viruses etc but if I were strangely I am far less stressed and anxious..I suppose because it's a common thing to have a bug and it has an ending whereas with an anxiety disorder it's a whole different thing...

Sorry, Sue, this probably makes no sense at all?!:D

Pulisa! It made perfect sense to me!!!! I absolutely needed the reminder that IF this is anxiety I'm feeling, I do not need nor should I analyze it and dwell on WHY I'm feeling anxious, but instead just say "Eh, so I'm feeling lousy due to some anxiety.... it'll pass, it always does." It's such a simple concept to just let it be, accept it, and let it pass, but it's so hard to actually do!

And like you, when I have validation that I truly have a virus or infection, I feel no anxiety for that week or so because I know what's causing my discomfort and I know it's going to end. I almost enjoy having a good reason to feel lousy. So along that same concept, I think that's why I tend to try to figure out where my anxiety is coming from so that I can say "Ah ha, there is a good reason for it so now I can accept it and let it pass." If I know it's anxiety but don't know WHY I'm anxious, then I can't do anything to resolve the issue or prevent it from happening again. There's that "control" issue, where I hope to eliminate all stressers and never feel anxiety again. :rolleyes: So kind of like the relief we feel when we have a virus, I would feel relief if I could find a reason for all my anxiety spells.
Sue

[pulisa]

I recommend some Seahorse Therapy, Sue! Go with what you enjoy and not what the books/latest therapies say you should be doing. Keep it simple and give yourself a break from looking for an answer. You just need some mental peace which is so valuable even if it's temporary xx

[DustingMyselfOff]

I recommend some Seahorse Therapy, Sue! Go with what you enjoy and not what the books/latest therapies say you should be doing. Keep it simple and give yourself a break from looking for an answer. You just need some mental peace which is so valuable even if it's temporary xx

You are so wise, and perhaps psychic, because yesterday I started fantasizing about a new, bigger seahorse tank. :) Of course it's not as simple as it was last time I got the urge because back then I would buy whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, and money was not an issue. Now that I'm retired, I'm trying really hard to be more thrifty and responsible, so I'm not rushing into anything, but instead am making part of the fun challenge of getting there, finding a way to do it with either some equipment that I already have stashed in the basement or perhaps buying a used tank. And then it will take months to "cycle" the new tank, so this new enjoyable challenge could hold me right through to winter. :) I always need a challenge and something to keep my mind busy, and, oh, my son and his wife have asked me to start doing their books for them (they own a business) so that should keep me challenged, too.

So between my husband's minor surgery yesterday, a casino trip tonight, and a cross-country trip coming up mid-August, I think I have my justification for feeling anxiety, even though I try to convince myself that I am NOT anxious about those things. Gotta do something about this denial of mine. :(
Sue

[pulisa]

You are so wise, and perhaps psychic, because yesterday I started fantasizing about a new, bigger seahorse tank. :) Of course it's not as simple as it was last time I got the urge because back then I would buy whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, and money was not an issue. Now that I'm retired, I'm trying really hard to be more thrifty and responsible, so I'm not rushing into anything, but instead am making part of the fun challenge of getting there, finding a way to do it with either some equipment that I already have stashed in the basement or perhaps buying a used tank. And then it will take months to "cycle" the new tank, so this new enjoyable challenge could hold me right through to winter. :) I always need a challenge and something to keep my mind busy, and, oh, my son and his wife have asked me to start doing their books for them (they own a business) so that should keep me challenged, too.

So between my husband's minor surgery yesterday, a casino trip tonight, and a cross-country trip coming up mid-August, I think I have my justification for feeling anxiety, even though I try to convince myself that I am NOT anxious about those things. Gotta do something about this denial of mine. :(
Sue

No you haven't..admitting denial is enough. I hope your husband is recovering with the minimum of fuss on his part?!! Those cross-country trips of yours always astound me...how on earth do you do it?!! Glad you have the seahorse tank project-that sounds absorbing and enjoyable. Doing the books will also be distracting yet mentally stimulating too and something concrete to get your teeth into..also structure to your day which I'm sure you miss?

[DustingMyselfOff]

Thanks for telling me that admitting my denial is enough. I always seem to want to take things one step further than I need to.

Actually, the trips amaze me, too. And I guess that explains why, even though it's almost 3 weeks away, I may already be subconsciously getting anxious about it. At about this point in time before each trip I start fantasizing about never having to do it again, but, in life, we sometimes have to do things we would rather not do. I adore my daughter and grandchildren and want to be a part of their lives, and since they only manage to make the trip once a year, I try to get out there to keep the relationship alive and well. I want these kids to know their grandma! I used to go about 4 times a year but think I am now going to drop that to twice a year. Financially and stress-wise, it's the better choice, and I'll leave it up to the Universe to get that family geographically closer to me in the future so I can attend my grandkids' sports activities. They are only 2 years old and 9 months old right now, and at such a fun age, but there's still time to watch them grow. Let's all hope my son-in-law loses his job and has to move! :scared15: :ohmy: :whistles:. (Thank God my daughter is not on this forum!) :)
Sue

[Fishmanpa]

The simple answer, just from what's been posted here, YES. If you have anxiety, a real physical illness, even as simple as a cold and cough, increases anxiety. How many threads have there been where a common cold is lung cancer? How many threads have there been where a scratch is rabies? Also, anxiety tends to make the sufferer hyper-focus so even a simple niggle is something deadly (thanks to Dr. Google). Its a Catch 22 I'm afraid.

Positive thoughts

[DustingMyselfOff]

Thanks, Fishmanpa, but the cold or illness doesn't lead me to start thinking I have a terminal illness. But it seems whenever I'm coming down with something, it's preceded by a few days of "unexplained" heightened general anxiety. When I get validation that I am truly ill, I'm actually relieved.
Sue

[pulisa]

No anxiety is "unexplained" when you have an anxiety disorder though..

[Fishmanpa]

Thanks, Fishmanpa, but the cold or illness doesn't lead me to start thinking I have a terminal illness. But it seems whenever I'm coming down with something, it's preceded by a few days of "unexplained" heightened general anxiety. When I get validation that I am truly ill, I'm actually relieved.
Sue

I did say that even a simple niggle combined with anxiety leads to increased anxiety. Anxiety can have non-specific symptoms such as fatigue or a general unwell feeling. 1+1 = 5 with anxiety. Also, anxiety and stress takes a toll on you physically so your immune system can be compromised leading to more common colds etc.

Positive thoughts

[DustingMyselfOff]

Thank you both .... very good points. So even if I don't think my ear pain is ear cancer (LOL), feeling ill can still trigger anxiety? Even if I'm not worried about dying from it?

No anxiety is unexplained.... I should have that tattooed on my arm as a reminder.
Sue

[ankietyjoe]

To concur with others, yes it can. Any illness is a stress, and stress = anxiety once the genie is out of the bottle.

In terms of your historical denial..the key is awareness. This is something I talk about a great deal I know, but meditation/mindfulness is the tool that will teach your mind about awareness. You don't have to spend a decade analyzing why you did something, just be aware of the interaction between your thoughts and your surroundings and it becomes much easier to shrug them off and carry on with your current life.

The feeling of anxiety is often just a CNS response, a CNS response that's inappropriate for the situation you're in. Your body can sense a virus, then your adrenals start to spike, your heart rate is faster when you have an infection (anxiety or not), your body temperature goes up, your mind starts analyzing the sensations. All these things you would have paid no attention to a decade ago, but now you do.

[DustingMyselfOff]

To concur with others, yes it can. Any illness is a stress, and stress = anxiety once the genie is out of the bottle.

Friggin' genie.... I need a bigger cork for the bottle!

In terms of your historical denial..the key is awareness. This is something I talk about a great deal I know, but meditation/mindfulness is the tool that will teach your mind about awareness. You don't have to spend a decade analyzing why you did something, just be aware of the interaction between your thoughts and your surroundings and it becomes much easier to shrug them off and carry on with your current life.

Tell me more.... I think this is an area in which I really need to focus. I still am trying to practice meditation every day, but it still ends up being 15 minutes of me sitting quietly trying to focus on a focal point while my mind wanders in 5 different directions. I will keep working at it because I know it takes practice, but I just wonder if I need to try another form or just keep practicing and being patient.

I feel as if I AM constantly aware of the interaction between my thoughts and surroundings, maybe too much so. When I refer to denial, I have had therapists tell me that I downplay and minimize stressful events in my life and shrug them off as if they were simply a splinter in my finger while others would be hysterical basket cases. I spent my life chasing the highs and excitement and drama and boy did I find it. I was on a constant roller coaster of highs and lows and if I ever found normalcy, it was boring. I've finally learned to embrace "boring" and consistent, but I still have the habit of not recognizing when something is stressing me. Instead I just start to notice all the anxiety symptoms creeping in and then wonder why I'm anxious.

The feeling of anxiety is often just a CNS response, a CNS response that's inappropriate for the situation you're in. Your body can sense a virus, then your adrenals start to spike, your heart rate is faster when you have an infection (anxiety or not), your body temperature goes up, your mind starts analyzing the sensations. All these things you would have paid no attention to a decade ago, but now you do.

THIS is the explanation I was looking for, so thank you for that. Except for the part about me not having paid attention to it a decade ago.... I assure you, this has been going on for many decades! :(

And I believe that a lot of times when I think I'm coming down with something physical, it's actually adrenaline/cortisol/anxiety causing physical symptoms, so that's where I need to recognize that something is causing me anxiety so I can look at it, accept it, and let it pass. What confuses me is when I was working that exhausting, high-stress job, I was dealing with hundreds of stressful things on a constant basis and functioning, even though I was always anxious and tired. Now it seems like the tiniest change in daily routine is enough to spike anxiety, and that can't be normal. My life before was a non-stop lack of routine! I fear I'm going to become a person who is afraid of a simple dental appointment or a visit to a park!
Sue