Anxiety from a real threat

[mw2530]

Last night I experienced some anxiety due to a legitimate threat as opposed to the crippling anxiety that I experience daily due to no specific threat. I had a sore throat and it kept getting worse and worse. I could hardly swallow and drinking and eating were not much fun. Then last night my tonsils were so swollen that they were starting to restrict my breathing. I basically was awake all night long because I was afraid my breathing would get more difficult. I was planning to go to urgent care this morning but ended up not going since I was feeling somewhat better today. My throat is still sore and swollen, but seems to be getting better. I may have been a little paranoid, but all in all this was a legitimate threat and anxiety served me well in this instance.

But it also made me realize how out of control my daily anxiety is and how it does nothing but make my life more difficult and lowers quality of life.

 

[Fitzo]

I think you should still go and see someone because I often have throat problems and they nearly always get worse at night. At the very least get some antibacterial throat gargle which should soothe and help to clear it up.

 

[Major Tom]

In situations like that I almost always gargle some saltwater. It usually makes the swelling go down and perhaps kills whatever bacteria is causing it, if that's what is indeed causing the sore throat. As far as your anxiety, I haven't a clue, but if you figure something out let me know, as I suffer from it too on a daily basis. Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

 

[SusanLR]

Warm salt water gargle has always been my home remedy too.
There are also soothing teas with herbs I drink made
specifically for sore throats. I like Yogi brand.

You are correct in it being a true cause of anxiety.
It can get so swollen, if it goes into the trachea/vocal chord area complete swelling can happen.

I know the daily anxiety is a real bother.
I have it too. But, when it happens there's not much to do
except try to flow with it.
If it happens at home, I usually lie down and put on some calming music, shut my eyes and go to my safe place in my mind that I've created. It's like meditation and helps.

 

[Gracey]

Am currently trying to gauge mine. Fit it into neat categories: fight, flight or freeze and if I remember, record brief details about the situation that triggered my thoughts and reaction, assigning a number to represent strength or intensity of reaction.
(Classic C.B.T method)

Something else I’m enjoying, when I remember to do it, is again, classifying worries and thoughts and some catastrophising into “Fact or Opinion”

Again, it’s a CBT method.
Is what I’m worrying about a fact?
Or my own opinion (fueled by my incredible imagination?)

My ocd/ barrister brain loves the challenge of setting out the case to make my own opinion fact

And if nothing else results from this exercise it’s a complete distraction thus interrupting the thought patterns that result in “fight, flight or freeze”

Once the thought process is interrupted, so too are the neurochemicals and adrenaline. The intensity of my reaction is reduced.

Still a newbie at this, sometimes my fear still overrides my conscious choice but getting a little better at distracting myself.

Makes a difference between panic attack/ meltdown/ useless
And choosing to remain in control of myself

 

[Tom]

I had similar issues recently. Best course is to have a Doctor check it out and remove some worry or get on right treatment if it is something that needs attention. I had Doctor look at it, but it didn't seem serious to them and it did go away on its own. I treated myself with over-the-counter stuff like sore throat lozenges.

 

[tducey]

I agree, going to see a doctor about this might be a good idea.

 

[mw2530]

I ended up seeing a doctor yesterday b/c my throat was not improving. I did have strep throat so they gave my an antibiotic. My throat is feeling close to normal tonight. I wish the anxiety problem was as simple.

 

[Streetwise]

I ended up seeing a doctor yesterday b/c my throat was not improving. I did have strep throat so they gave my an antibiotic. My throat is feeling close to normal tonight. I wish the anxiety problem was as simple.

try mindfulness !I try to do it it's very hard but it starts to work.
what do you like looking at .