I've been having a lot of problems dealing with my emotional stress right now, and its been getting so bad that I can sometimes feel my chest tighten to where it hurts a little.

Discuss:
What physical problems have you gotten from stress/depression?
Is this serious?

I've gotten that before, just a little though.
It wasn't serious for me but that's because my problem before [has nothing to do with my problem now] wasn't as bad as what you are going through.

Originally Posted by ZeldaFlower

I've gotten that before, just a little though.
It wasn't serious for me but that's because my problem before [has nothing to do with my problem now] wasn't as bad as what you are going through.

I guess your judgment is based on my thread in Life Issues? :sweat:
Yeah, but its been happening on and off for about a week, and that's what worries me. I guess I'll have to talk to my doctor about it and ask her some questions.

Just trying to get a little bit of feedback.

You're probably having anxiety attacks. How much caffeine do you have a day?

I suffered selected amnesia at least twice before due to stress. I forgot an entire week's worth of lessons/experience-- suddenly, there were notes in my books that I don't remember writing, a nearly-due project I never heard the teacher talk about, my friend asking me what my answer was to our homework from last week-- and saying I was giving answers to questions from two weeks before.

When it comes to emotional stress, I was once told to try to figure the core of the problem-- once found, then 'roleplay' with "what would a psychiatrist ask me right now? how will I reply?". Sometimes, talking to yourself -does- work. A good cry might also improve your condition-- I remember reading how tears from emotional outbursts were found to help in homeostasis. Call it sissy or stupid, but it's worth a shot.

Holding it all in may not seem like a good choice, but personally, I found it empowering to hold on to something that others think is negative, and slowly see it as not worth the amount of concern I originally gave to the problem.

Originally Posted by Blondheart

You're probably having anxiety attacks. How much caffeine do you have a day?

One can of soda a day, otherwise its just water or powerade.

Tsi Lai: I know exactly what the problem is, but about solving it in the hardest part. I created a thread about it in Life Issues but it doesn't seem to be helping me any because I'm getting a lot of similar posts.

I've never had amnesia, but I've had more than a handful of panic attacks where I start hyperventilating and crying very hard. I usually end up throwing up and then passing out for ten minutes and then waking up with a pounding headache.
I guess there are more than one scary things that can happen. :/

Technically I should move this thread to life issues as well, because it kind of belonged there.

Originally Posted by thoughtlessamaya

I guess your judgment is based on my thread in Life Issues? :sweat:
Yeah, but its been happening on and off for about a week, and that's what worries me. I guess I'll have to talk to my doctor about it and ask her some questions.

Just trying to get a little bit of feedback.

Yeah... sorry...

That sounds like a good thing to do. The doctor. Yes. I must retire to my sleeping quarters before I post anything else un-helpful. G'night~

Originally Posted by ZeldaFlower

Yeah... sorry...

That sounds like a good thing to do. The doctor. Yes. I must retire to my sleeping quarters before I post anything else un-helpful. G'night~

That wasn't a problem, I enjoy the advice.

And thank you, goodnight. :]

Sometimes I feel so sad that it feels like there is a huge weight on my heart... but I don't know if I'm just imagining it or if it's actually physical. '~ '

Originally Posted by Duchess

Sometimes I feel so sad that it feels like there is a huge weight on my heart... but I don't know if I'm just imagining it or if it's actually physical. '~ '

I'm having the same feeling, but its tight as the same time.

At least for me, emotional problems can sometimes have physical manifestations. When I'm really upset, I feel a tightening of my chest as well, even if I'm not having a panic attack.

If the tightening of your chest is the only symptom, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Fix the underlying causes, and it will go away. :3

I don't think this really requires a doctor visit.

Physical manifestations from stress are pretty common, and although it may be uncomfortable, you're just fine.

Just try to solve the stressful problem in your life.
If the stress is from something unavoidable, you may want to talk to someone about it.

I find that talking to my therapist about stressful things makes them much easier to deal with and she often gives me exercises (no, not like jogging) to help me deal with stress.

Originally Posted by thoughtlessamaya

That wasn't a problem, I enjoy the advice.

And thank you, goodnight. :]

Oh, ok.

i was reading phrank's and i was thinking, "but jogging does make me feel better." I don't know if that would help your situation though since you already have pain 0=

When I'm stressed I break out. And when I go running when I'm stressed my endurance is down a little bit (but that might do to the fact that stress=pavement stomping).

Stress/Depression can cause physical effects, such as chest tightening and such... it's not too serious as I don't believe it will truly stop your breathing .. though when I had experienced it.. I have a small case of asthma so I just used my puffer. (I know it was not my asthma making it so because I only experience attacks during excess physical activity)

But stress can become much worse if you don't figure out how to deal with it manageabley because I know when I had dealt with a lot of stress.. last year I had dropped out of school because it was the only way I could manage it. No one but my mom understood as to why...

At that point my stress levels were so bad I was getting physically sick, and throwing up bile because I had nothing in my stomach to throw up.

At the time it was school causing the stress so I had to step back from it. I don't know your situation.. however, if you can just step back from whatever it is for a while and clear your head it might do you some good. Or if that is not possible.. start a journal for yourself and write everything you feel down, no matter what it is. The key to stress and depression is part of keeping feelings inside. It may just be enough for you to manage whatever it is that's causing you stress.

Originally Posted by Kale

Stress/Depression can cause physical effects, such as chest tightening and such... it's not too serious as I don't believe it will truly stop your breathing .. though when I had experienced it.. I have a small case of asthma so I just used my puffer. (I know it was not my asthma making it so because I only experience attacks during excess physical activity)

But stress can become much worse if you don't figure out how to deal with it manageabley because I know when I had dealt with a lot of stress.. last year I had dropped out of school because it was the only way I could manage it. No one but my mom understood as to why...

At that point my stress levels were so bad I was getting physically sick, and throwing up bile because I had nothing in my stomach to throw up.

At the time it was school causing the stress so I had to step back from it. I don't know your situation.. however, if you can just step back from whatever it is for a while and clear your head it might do you some good. Or if that is not possible.. start a journal for yourself and write everything you feel down, no matter what it is. The key to stress and depression is part of keeping feelings inside. It may just be enough for you to manage whatever it is that's causing you stress.

I've been doing all of these things, and so far to no help. And I've talked to many people and have asked for advice as to what to do about my problem. And my friends have always talked to me about my problem when I need to talk about it. But when I think about it, my chest hurts.

I've been that way at a point, but never with my chest. I'd just throw up, and go to sleep, and wake up normal the next day.

Even though I'm not so stressed as back then.. I still get the effects.. sorta. It had gotten to the point I can think I'm sick, (even though I don't feel it) and I would actually get sick.. but that's sorta off topic. :offtopic:

---

If they don't help, and it's actually a very good thing you feel good about talking to others. (I'm extremely shy offline so I am completely uncomfortable talking to anyone about my problems.. and only to a certain point online). I think it's best to go mind over matter.. if you think about what stresses you out... in turn think that the tightening of the chest will go away it will.

I guess the first part was sorta on topic.. if you focus on a thought that includes something in your body happening (it may not happen right away - it's gotten to that point with me however that I think I'm sick and am sick because it's happened so often) it will happen if it's probable for your body to do it - as in it's not impossible to stop your body from having a period (that is of course if you're female).. but sometimes you can push it back a couple days or will it to come earlier if the symptoms are there and you just want it to start all ready. Again that it may not work at first...

Mind over body tricks sometimes fail with others.. but I've noticed sometimes it works for me and not only the sick thing either. ^^ I hate using public restrooms so I don't even have to truly think that I don't have to go until I get home anymore.. just.. happens. xD