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Suggest Remedy For Stress And Anxiety

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Posted on Mon, 12 Jan 2015
Question: Hi! For some reason, I just feel out of it all the time. Every day. I feel spaced out, almost detached from whats going on around me, and tired. I'm getting the right amount of sleep. I have had an EKG, heart X-ray, and CT of the heart and lungs for blockages. Could it be something else? I haven't been stressed out, and that's why I'm worried about what this is. If I had severe anxiety while feeling this way, I could understand; but I don't. The best way that I can describe it is that I feel high or drunk but I'm not. My vision is also blurry, and my eyes are extremely sensitive to light
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Can occur due to neurosis or mild depression

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for choosing Health Care Magic for your health related queries

I can understand your concern, you are a healthy young female and have symptoms like feelings like spaced out, detached from what's going around you, tiredness etc. You also have feelings like you are high and blurred vision. You have normal sleep. You have undergone EKG, X-Ray, CT scam, tests to detect blockage etc. I guess investigations came normal. Kindly upload all reports on right side of your dashboard

After reading your history I can tell you that such symptoms can occur due to anxiety but before labeling such symptoms as anxiety we have to rule out some medical conditions.

First condition that can result in such symptoms is nutritional deficiency. This can occur in a healthy individual also. Low levels of Vitamin B12 are commonest reason behind such symptoms. Low levels also increase the risk of anxiety symptoms. So I would advise you to get your B12 levels checked. Even if they come below 300 starts taking B12 supplements and your symptoms should improve in about 6-8 weeks. Also get your complete blood work up done to rule out anemia.

Impaired thyroid gland functions can also present with such symptoms like feelings as if detached, tiredness etc. I would advise you to get thyroid hormones levels checked. Low thyroid may present with such symptoms.

Blurred vision or sensitivity of light alone can occurs due to eye problem. If you have any problems in reading then get your eyes checked. Though I don't think these symptoms are due to problems of vision.

There could be other medical causes behind such symptoms but they are very uncommon so we are left with some neurotic disorder like anxiety or mild depression. Anxiety and mild depression may present with similar symptoms like tiredness, fatigue, feelings as if detached, feelings of heaviness on head etc. As per my opinion such symptoms should improve with some life style changes as:

- Start taking multivitamin and also Omega 3 Fatty acid supplements. Both will reduce such symptoms.

- Take diets rich in protein and carbohydrates and low in fats. Increase the intake of walnuts, hazelnut, flex seeds, salmon fish in diet. These diets are rich source of omega fatty acids.

- Exercise daily for at least half hour. Exercise will help to release endorphins which will lift the mood and activity levels.

- Sleep early and wake up early. Sleep for at least 7 hours a day.

- Have a good cup of coffee in morning to increase activeness.

These life style modifications will help in improvement of symptoms and you will feel better. If symptoms persist even after lifestyle changes visit a psychiatrist for treatment of mild depression. Drugs like Modafinil or Armodafinil will help to maintain day time alertness and will reduce fatigue. Proper antidepressant treatment at this stage is not indicated as per my opinion. Visit a psychiatrist for proper prescription of this drug.


Thanks, hope this helps you. If you want to clarify something from my answer or have more doubts ask again.

Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (4 hours later)
I will start doing all of that. I wanted to ask..is 96 for a resting heart rate bad ? could it end up giving me heart troubles ? for some reason when I lay on my back I can feel my heart pounding and then I'm awoken out of my sleep and since my heart rate is so high I'm too panicky to go back to sleep.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Your heart rate is absolutely normal, no need to fear.

Detailed Answer:
Hello, thanks for asking a follow up question


Normal heart rate is in ranges of 60-100 BPM. Your heart rate is 96 BPM and its perfectly fine. It will not end up giving you heart troubles. Heart varies between individuals and also in one individual it may vary between different times of a day. Your heart rate is absolutely normal.

This is not due to heart palpitations you are panicky but due to panic, heart is pounding. You are becoming aware of breathing due to anxiety only. Try to relax yourself and don't think about hear rate again and again and you will feel better. Try Breathing Exercises. Keep your breath counts less than 12 in a minute during episodes and you will feel the decrease in heart rate. Breath holding can also help to reduce palpitations.

Thanks, and please follow the routine I have mentioned in my last answer.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (35 minutes later)
I am being woken up by this though. it's freaking me out. :( my BP is also 136/80
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Rise in BP and palpitations are due to anxiety only

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

First of all I would try to clear your doubt about heart illness.

If we assume the increased rate was due to some heart problem then it would not have let you sleep. You are waking up from sleep and this points us more towards anxiety than heart problem.

Second point in favour of anxiety is your age. It is very uncommon to have heart problem especially coronary artery disease at your age.

You have underwent most of gold standard investigations for cardiac problems and all investigations came normal still you have fear of heart problem and this also proves that the palpitations are due to anxiety. You are becoming aware of heart rate again and again because of fear and this is resulting in palpitations.

Rise in BP can occur due to anxiety and as per my opinion this is quite normal.

Just to sum up, try to follow the life style changes I have mentioned and don't fear about heart problem. You are absolutely normal and at your age heart problems are quite uncommon. Try to do relaxation exercises and you will see improvement.

Thanks, still have some uncleared doubts please don't hesitate to ask again :)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (5 hours later)
thank you :)lastly, can you recommend any foods that I can eat ? also how can I strengthen my heart without exercise ? I will eventually full on exercise but I've spent so much time being inactive that I can feel my heart is weaker..lately since I've been active but with more stress this is the result
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Diets rich in protein and low in fat will help

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for follow up question

- Yes I have mentioned earlier in my answer. Diets rich in protein and carbohydrates but low in fats. Eat plenty of nuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, flex seeds, fish like sardine or salmon etc. These are rich source of omega fatty acids. Also increase animal products in diet like curd, milk etc which are source of B12. Avoid excess popcorns, cakes, candies etc.

- Avoid deep fried junk foods.

- You can strengthen your heart without exercises by avoiding excess stress and tension. Reduce saturated fats intake. Don't take excess refined carbohydrates in diets. If possible walk briskly at least 15-20 minutes a day. Dancing can be one other option. This will reduce any risk of heart problems in future.

You don't have any heart problem now and your heart is not weaker. Keep one thing in mind that you are absolutely normal.

Thanks, Wish you a good health.

You can contact me again if you have more doubts.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5193 Questions

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Suggest Remedy For Stress And Anxiety

Brief Answer: Can occur due to neurosis or mild depression Detailed Answer: Hello thanks for choosing Health Care Magic for your health related queries I can understand your concern, you are a healthy young female and have symptoms like feelings like spaced out, detached from what's going around you, tiredness etc. You also have feelings like you are high and blurred vision. You have normal sleep. You have undergone EKG, X-Ray, CT scam, tests to detect blockage etc. I guess investigations came normal. Kindly upload all reports on right side of your dashboard After reading your history I can tell you that such symptoms can occur due to anxiety but before labeling such symptoms as anxiety we have to rule out some medical conditions. First condition that can result in such symptoms is nutritional deficiency. This can occur in a healthy individual also. Low levels of Vitamin B12 are commonest reason behind such symptoms. Low levels also increase the risk of anxiety symptoms. So I would advise you to get your B12 levels checked. Even if they come below 300 starts taking B12 supplements and your symptoms should improve in about 6-8 weeks. Also get your complete blood work up done to rule out anemia. Impaired thyroid gland functions can also present with such symptoms like feelings as if detached, tiredness etc. I would advise you to get thyroid hormones levels checked. Low thyroid may present with such symptoms. Blurred vision or sensitivity of light alone can occurs due to eye problem. If you have any problems in reading then get your eyes checked. Though I don't think these symptoms are due to problems of vision. There could be other medical causes behind such symptoms but they are very uncommon so we are left with some neurotic disorder like anxiety or mild depression. Anxiety and mild depression may present with similar symptoms like tiredness, fatigue, feelings as if detached, feelings of heaviness on head etc. As per my opinion such symptoms should improve with some life style changes as: - Start taking multivitamin and also Omega 3 Fatty acid supplements. Both will reduce such symptoms. - Take diets rich in protein and carbohydrates and low in fats. Increase the intake of walnuts, hazelnut, flex seeds, salmon fish in diet. These diets are rich source of omega fatty acids. - Exercise daily for at least half hour. Exercise will help to release endorphins which will lift the mood and activity levels. - Sleep early and wake up early. Sleep for at least 7 hours a day. - Have a good cup of coffee in morning to increase activeness. These life style modifications will help in improvement of symptoms and you will feel better. If symptoms persist even after lifestyle changes visit a psychiatrist for treatment of mild depression. Drugs like Modafinil or Armodafinil will help to maintain day time alertness and will reduce fatigue. Proper antidepressant treatment at this stage is not indicated as per my opinion. Visit a psychiatrist for proper prescription of this drug. Thanks, hope this helps you. If you want to clarify something from my answer or have more doubts ask again. Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi