Is this all stress related?

27yo male 6'2" 78kg Social Marijuana user. No nicotine. 2 drinks every Friday. 3-4 cups of coffee a day.

This entire year I've felt on top of the world, I've been killing it in my job, social life, and in the gym. I worked hard, played hard, took my health seriously and felt great because of it. This has been a theme for the past two years.

However, recently I went through a stressful period, where I had to move house resulting in a longer commute (1h each way instead of 20 minutes). I also was chosen to be a substitute team lead at work during the two week vacation of our usual team lead, resulting in increased responsibilities on my end (and wanting to prove that I could handle them). I'm also studying a masters degree part time and had to spend my entire Sunday working on it about two weeks ago.

This resulted in me not being able to sleep well that Sunday night, only being able to fall asleep at 5am and I needed to be up at 8 for work. Since then, I feel like I've been in hell. I have had insomnia for around a week, even resulting in me missing half a day of work because I slept through my alarm. Now I got my sleeping back under control for most nights through deep breathing and a melatonin supplement, but I've started having panic attacks where I feel short of breath, break out into a cold sweat, and feel an overwhelming sense of doom, like the color is draining from my face and my brain starts telling me im dying and having a heart attack or a siezure.

I've started to get tremors as well, where I can't hold my hands steady, and even my sense of balance seems thrown off, like I'm constantly swaying. I feel anxious throughout the day, and I feel like I'm in a loop as I'm feeling anxious about being anxious. This was a sudden and somewhat serious change of pace for how I normally feel, I don't feel like myself at all, and I've been crying at night and hugging my pillows like they're going to die.

I've stopped my intake of weed ever since that first sleepless night, and have started taking ashwaganda in an attempt to lower my cortisol levels. I've also lowered my coffee intake to one a day.

Is this all stress related or is there something more villainous at play here that I should go see a doctor about? My sober intuition says that it's just stress and I shoukd ride the symptoms out and keep exercising harder to relieve the stress, but my panic attacks tell me that I'm dying and need help. I've taken the rest of the week off of work so I can have time to process this.

in Stressby Dragon_ZA

100%

Greg_Human-CBD

Hey there, it sounds like you've been dealing with a lot of stress lately. It's completely normal to feel overwhelmed when facing big changes and increased responsibilities. Your reaction to these stressors is valid and taking time off work was a smart decision to give yourself space to heal.

It's great that you've already made some positive changes like cutting back on coffee and seeking natural supplements to help lower cortisol levels. Remember to also prioritize self-care activities like exercise, meditation, and relaxation techniques to help manage your anxiety. Consider talking to a healthcare professional if your symptoms persist or worsen, they can provide valuable support and guidance tailored to your needs.

You're not alone in this, many people experience similar challenges and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Trust your intuition but also be kind to yourself during this difficult time. Take things one step at a time and remember that it's okay to ask for help when you need it. Wishing you peace and strength on your journey to healing.

Coach-Spence

Hi u/Dragon_ZA it sounds like you are in a pretty tough situation. You've made some improvements and you're seeking advice which are great strides. Panic attacks can be extremely scary especially if you're unsure as to why they are occuring. It does seem that life change that you have gone through recently (increased commute time, increased responsiblity) are contributing to your level of stress. When we pass our stress threshold we can feel like we have lost control and overwhelmed. As u/Greg_Human-CBD mentioned below many people have simliar experience and there is hope. You can take control of the situation. I am not a doctor so this is not medical advice. What self-care activities do you particpate in now? How you refill your energy? I've been there myself so wishing you the best and feel free to reach out and ask more questions. I help clients like you take back the life they once knew or build one they want so feel free to reach out.

VictorDionysusAlex

First off, I want to acknowledge how tough this period has been for you. It sounds like you're going through a lot, and your post shows a lot of self-awareness and resilience. It's commendable that you've taken steps like adjusting your caffeine intake and seeking natural stress relief through ashwagandha. The panic attacks and tremors you're experiencing can definitely be related to stress, and it's normal to feel like there's something more serious happening, especially when you're in such a heightened state of anxiety.\n\nGiven the sudden and severe nature of your symptoms, it might be a good idea to check in with a doctor. This doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you - just that it can be incredibly helpful to have a professional assessment to rule out any other possible causes and to get personalized guidance. Seeking support doesn't mean you're weak; it's actually a testament to your strength and willingness to prioritize your well-being.\n\nThat said, your intuition about riding out the symptoms and managing stress through exercise is a valid coping strategy. Exercise can be a powerful tool for stress relief, and it's great that you're already proactively trying to take care of yourself. Keep in mind that dealing with stress and anxiety is complex, and it's okay to use multiple approaches, including seeking medical advice.\n\nIn addition, I've found the “gonna be ok" app to be immensely helpful in managing stress and getting support during tough times. It has a community of people going through similar experiences, features empathetic virtual therapists, and utilizes cutting-edge AI-driven support features. It might be something worth integrating into your coping strategies as well. Remember that there's no one-size-fits-all solution, so it's about finding what works best for you.\n\nYou're showing a lot of strength and determination by taking active steps to address your well-being, and I hope the support and care you're giving yourself helps you during this challenging time. You're not alone, and reaching out for help - both medically and through supportive communities - is an incredible sign of resilience. I hope you find the relief and recovery you deserve.