Acute Physical Symptoms Of Anxiety/Panic Despite Mood

[vrd2107]

I have suffered debilitating anxiety/panic for 6 or so years now but had success in reducing the actual mental state of panic through psychotherapeutic intervention and practicing self-awareness. Despite this, I have suffered from the acute physical symptoms of anxiety/panic even when my circumstances/mood don't match this physiological reaction. Basically, I feel like my body is in fight or flight mode for prolonged amounts of time. This resolved for the most part late last year after I took a dose of LSD, but now it's back. Even when my mood is elevated.

I have an elevated pulse/racing heart all day, feel short of breath, nausea, complete lack of appetite, and what feels like a prolonged cortisol and adrenaline rush pulsing through my body for hours on end.

In the past when I had these issues, I was put on a benzodiazepine (lorazepam) but would like to avoid these drugs because becoming physically dependent on them is not an option for me. I have been taking cyproheptadine, but it has not mitigated these symptoms at all. Does anyone know if there is anything else that I could try? (Don't think an LSD trip is going to help this time around, ha).

 

[Creative Nature]

You'll get more useful responses if you describe your diet, lifestyle, etc.

Ray Peat often mentions that hypothyroid people can have high levels of adrenaline.

In addition, in my experience, B vitamin deficiencies can cause the symptoms you mention. For ~2.5 years, I've had bad adrenergic reactions (racing pulse, elevated BP, shortness of breath, etc.) to mild physical stressors. Sufficient B1 can prevent these reactions.

I know what this condition can do to you. I hope you find a way out, and soon.

 

[vrd2107]

I’m not hypothyroid. I have an insane metabolism (sugar burning), I eat intuitively (someone I know once called me natural peatarian lol). Basically, I eat all categories of food but because I am south east asian it usually ends up being mostly meat, vegetables, and rice (don’t plan on giving this up). Don’t eat much bread. I do eat lots of full fat dairy, ice cream, cheese, sugar etc. I enjoy food! I enjoy the occasional glass of wine (every 4-6 months, or longer) but I don’t drink much alcohol beyond that.

I’ve had my metabolic rate tested yearly, and if I do nothing (lay in bed all day) I naturally burn 1,800 - 2,100 calories per day. Meaning anytime I am up and doing more than this, I’m burning even more calories.

Before corona I had a stressful job where I was putting in 12-14 hour days, 6-7 days a week. Now, that corona has hit, I’m not doing that anymore so that’s been a big lifestyle change. I’ve been healthy most of my life aside from serious depressive episodes triggered by a sexual assault in college and a psychologically abusive relationship.

I’m thin (probably under 105 lbs at this point) and petite (read: short) and when my appetite isn’t thrown out of whack from this issue I’m having right now, I eat A LOT. I have to, given my metabolic rate.