YOUR Symptoms of Anxiety/stress???

One of the blessings of ADHD is you don't dwell on things that stress you. Panic attacks, oh yeah we get them.

Usually when it is constant I am at work and it is caused by my boss. So I make jokes about her behind her back and make my coworkers laugh. So I guess my symptom is I crack jokes.

When I am stressed, I don't sleep, and I clean house like a crazy person. I have control issues, and if I'm stressed I like to feel like I'm in control. Cleaning is something I can control. My house is always neat and clean. It's something I'm pretty obsessive about, but when I'm stressed, it's super-clean. I start cleaning fans, baseboards, air-vents, closets, everything. Since I don't sleep when I'm stressed, I have plenty of time to clean, too.

I pick fights with The Man.

Epic Fail.

:(

Normal stress:

I stop cleaning (I have to be happy to clean)

I stop taking serious "me" time (aka stuff that takes effort but leaves me feeling completely energized/ excited/ happy. For me thats: Sports, writing, travel, photography, art, study)

I stop eating regularly / start cooking like crazy (I cook but don't eat)

I stop sleeping normally. My normal is weird anyway, but it gets serious weird.

(the previous 2, the nix on eating and sleeping are both adrenaline/cortisol reactions)

I hermit (I'm an outgoing introvert. Meaning I love people, but they exhaust me. When I'm stressed I don't have the energy to put into other people)

I become very emotionally "stable". It's sorta stepfordy. Everything is "fine"... because I keep things 2 dimensional. What this is really is me stuffing every single bit of me that could possibly fly apart into a box and sitting on it with a grin on my face.

I start talking in a lower tone of voice (I have a 5 octave range / very nimble speaking voice... although I can't sing. If I were a singer I'd be a Coloratura contralto. When I'm speaking in a very low whiskey kind of voice it's a sign I'm stomping on my emotions to keep things at arms reach).

Gallows Humor / Silver lining girl
_____________________________________________________________

Extreme stress:

I actually do really well in extreme stress. My mind clears and I become very decisive and agile. I also find a wicked sense of humor that is usually half alseep In the military, I was the type they tried to keep out in the field as much as possible. I thrive in this kind of environment and leave it feeling more refreshed than after vacation. It's the ADHD, most likely.

___________________________________________________________

Panic attacks

I ride them or stomp on them depending on how severe they are

Everything AngelaG and MartyMamma mentioned. I feel your situation first hand, Your not alone my friend.

I get a tension headache in the back of my head and a nasty, sinking, pit of the stomach feeling.

Crabbiness, bad heartburn, sometimes trouble sleeping.

When I have really bad anxiety I have dreams that I can't open my mouth and my teeth are breaking. I wake up with cracks in my veneers ( I have veneers from grinding down my own real teeth)

During the day if I am extra anxious I am figity , irritable, tired and likely to crave a drink.

I used to have full blown panic attacks that felt like heart attacks and loss of my lungs but it hasn't happened since I gave birth the very first time.

I find that cleaning, exercise, sex, a hot bath, wine or a massage does wonders ,,,,, or all of that on one night!

Extreme irritability, lack of patience. Tension headaches. Fatigue. I'm right there with you, hope it gets better!

Heart palpitations. Tense. Short fuse. Cold fingers and toes.

I can handle a great deal of it before snapping.

Low to Med - tight chest, light head ache, agitation, breathing gets somewhat shallow.

Med - most above symptoms intensifies, then I get nervous, I start picking at my face or arms, breathing gets worse, more tightening of the chest and neck. Headache can intensify. Temper is low, snappy. I start to feel claustrophobic, need some sort of release before I hit High mode.

High - severe anxiety and panic attack, full scale PVC attack (premature ventricular contraction) heart flutters, but to me it feels like my heart is kicking my chest. Feeling sick, faint, flighty. Hyper ventilate. Extreme mood swing, anger, chest hurts majorly. Usually need to tranq.

Thats how it was before I went to therapy. I was able to get into a program to manage panic/anxiety even if I could not lower stress. Before my kids, and 2nd marriage. I was a recluse for 2 years. I didnt step foot from my house... not even to my yards. It was a LONG road to recovery. I still get panicky from time to time, but never like it used to be.

Cranky, tired, short temper, sleeplessness, extreme fear of dying, heart palpitations, headaches... :(
exercise and enough sleep really help... but its a viscous cycle, if I don't get enough sleep one or two nights in a row it starts the exhaustion which makes me not able to sleep the next night etc...

Chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, sweating, irritability, overly emotional, racing thoughts. I know there's more but right now I'm in a brain fog.

Shortness of breath, no patience, easily annoyed, cry easily, just want to sleep, etc... anxiety is no fun and takes a toll on everyone around you. Exercise really helps. Figuring out the source of anxiety helps too..........overworked, money, sickness, etc....
Take deep breaths, it does help surprisingly.

Yes, no patience for anything!
Physical ailments and fears of heart attack.
Hard to stay asleep.
IBS

When I am super stressed I sigh all the time.. Annoys my family so much. I clench my jaw while driving for example if traffic is bad and the kids are arguing. I just had a molar repaired that I cracked:(. I have been working hard to destress.. By working out. More sleep. Take 20 min out of my day to organize and try to plan more meals at home (my doctor just taught me that trick). Oh and drinking more water during the day has helped too :). Best of luck,
L.