Anxiety and Physical Illness

10/4/2012

Last Wednesday, I was supposed to go to CPT group. I ended up stuck in the house with serious anxiety issues that made me marginally functional at best. Out of the blue, I felt anxious about everything and nothing all at the same time. The feeling was so intense that my adrenalin kicked in so violently I felt sick. I don't know why it happened, but I am starting to see a pattern in my behavior that worries me a lot. Before Iraq, I was in great physical health. Now, I have borderline high cholesterol, respiratory issues, severe allergies. It is like my body is attacking itself. The only common element I see that has been constant across all of these health issues has been my severe anxiety and the burst of adrenalin that goes with it. It can't be coincidental. I firmly believe that prolonged periods of anxiety and adrenalin induced hyper-vigilance is deleterious to your health. I am curious is any other veterans or caregivers of veterans have thought about this connection. I hope to hear from you all on this subject. I find it hard to believe that I am the only one who suffers these symptoms.

Chris

10/4/2012 08:09:58 am

I've always looked at it like redlining an engine. Sometimes you need to do it; sometimes to pass a line of cars, sometimes to hammer through an ambush or IED hit, sometimes just for the hell of it. That's what happened to us.

Here's the kicker though. We're not cars, we're beings that learn. The more we do something, the more we get used to it and the better we get at it. The better we get at it, the more we do it. So it continues. We like the adrenaline rush. Think about the guys you know. How many are playing MW3 or Black Ops? Why do it? Most of the guys I've talked to do it for the adrenaline rush. We start to crave it, we like it. For some, that's the only way we feel "normal." The only way we can think straight.

But, we're still like cars. What happens when you redline an engine for too long? The car starts to break down. The human body can only take redlining for so long until it crashes. Then we start to see the effects. Anxiety hits, we redline. Goes on for too long, then it crashes and we hit depression. Unlike cars, we can self repair, then we can redline again. The cycle continues. Chronic stress puts a helluva lot of wear and tear on the body. The body is on constant alert, and it eventually wears down.

If you want a good book on it, I'd suggest looking up Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers by Robert Sapolsky. Granted, it does use some of the technical terms for things, but he actually puts it in plain english.

Max Harris link

10/4/2012 08:13:01 am

I would agree with your assessment. Thanks for your input. I will look into the book you recommended. Let's hope I can go a few more days before I redline again....

Nose reshaping gold coast link

10/9/2012 02:01:29 am

I liked the way you wrote it. You did not divert from the topic even once which I have not seen in many other writers.

Jackson

10/5/2012 04:24:25 am

I was in a weird way glad to see this post this morning, because I deal with the same issue all the time! It really impairs my life, and I am reminded daily when I shower that I used to be in great shape, and care and now I am not and although I care I get so anxious I can't do anything. It's so tough for me and so it is good to know I am not alone, even though it's shitty

Max Harris

10/5/2012 05:49:55 am

I think you hit it on the head. It's frustrating and demoralizing all at the same time.

Jurriaan Plesman link

10/8/2012 03:53:10 pm

The problem with PTSD sufferers is that it is invariably looked at from a psychological point of view. We keep on imagining that anxiety attacks are caused by our negative thinking. It is part of PTSD to believe that since anxiety attacks emerge out of the blue and in the absence of any trigger in the environment, therefore it MUST be in the mind.
Somehow most people with anxiety attacks find it hard to believe that it is caused by rogue hormones - such as adrenaline and cortisol - due to an illness in the body.

If you just can open your mind to the possibility that physical illnesses can cause mental illnesses, then you may be ready to consider the possibility that your anxiety attacks in PTSD, are due to a physical disease, that in addition can be treated without recourse to drugs and even psychotherapy. Read:

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Hypoglycemia
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/2011/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd-and-hypoglycemia/

R M Harris

10/9/2012 09:25:09 am

Thank you for sharing this info. While this could be true in some cases, I have bloodwork twice a year at work and twice a year through the VA. My number are all in the normal range. It was some interesting reading, though!

10/9/2012 04:53:48 pm

Blood work by doctors may not detect hypoglycemia, as this requires a special test as described by Dr George Samra:

Testing for Hypoglycemia, summary
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/2012/self-help-website-for-personal-growth/#Testing

Acupuncture Integrative Natural Care link

10/9/2012 08:57:34 pm

I am pleased to read your post. Good job. More power! - Brian

Comments are closed.

Living with PTSD:
Every Day is a New Day