Is This Anxiety?

[Neal73]

As a young child I was on medication for anxiety after my parents got divorced. I wasn't really aware at the time of what I was really going through, and to be honest, I also can't remember moments as a child very clearly. I'm assuming that's from taking SSRIs.

I stopped taking the medication when I was 14, and haven't taken it since. A year ago I started feeling really bad. I started having a lot of issues with my mind. I had difficulty staying focused, I felt (and still feel) like I'm in a fog, and I just have this "inactive" feeling. Which is something I've never felt before. I've always been quick with my thoughts, and fairly happy. However lately (starting about a year, and a half ago) I seem to be in like a nervous spell, sort of like what you feel when you're scared for your life, not as intense though. I also have been having serious headaches.

I was then diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and vitamin d deficiency. Both of which are back in normal range as of May (5-1-15). However, I'm still getting lightheaded when I stand up. When I wear my eyeglasses it intensifies everything. Making everything seem 10x worse. It isn't the prescription, I've had it checked 3 times, and it's the same prescription I had before all this started.

When I'm in class, and listening to the professor speak, hearing everyone else also talk, and with the bright white light it gets worse too. It seems like a lot of it has to do with perception, and lighting. I know it sounds weird, but I just need some answers.

I'm much better than I was originally, but I'm still not myself. I was hoping someone had an idea of what it could be. I'm also always wondering if I look okay, and what others think of me. I didn't used to be like that. Oh, and incase it's relevant, ever since I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (a little over a year ago) I've been on a strict no carb diet. Lots of steak, cheese, eggs, and chicken. I actually lost quite a bit of weight the first few weeks of doing that. I actually like the diet too. Just to clarify though, the symptoms, and illnesses started before the diet. I think the diet has really helped me too. I plan to get off it sometime soon though. I plan to increase carb intake by 15g a day each week. I think that would be slow enough for me. Well at least I'm hoping.

Before all this, I was a happy guy. I still have some moments of happiness, but not much. I'm not depressed though. I don't hate life, and I look forward to the future. I'm just stuck in this weird feeling right now. I really want it to go away. I will try anything (except for SSRIs). I just need some guidance!

[Angel91baby]

Getting dizzy when you stand up may be a sign of low blood pressure, has it been checked recently? That is where I would start. Secondly, did you see an optician or an opthalmologist. If you just saw a optician, I would try and get seen by an Opthalmologist. They can take a much closer look at your eye, do retinal scans etc etc.

Also, are you drinking enough? Dehydration can cause 'dizzy' like symptoms. So maybe increase your water intake. It certainly wont do you any harm regardless.

As for anxiety... it doesn't really sound like that. To be blunt it sounds far more like depression. And it is possible to love your life and look forward to your future with depression. If you are feeling a little listless, have no interest in things you used to love and are having a persistent low mood, I would definitely get it checked. The good news is that a fair few antidepressants are often used to treat anxiety as you know, so you could go on them and it might fix it whatever it is, be it anxiety or depression.

The most important thing is that you were worried enough to come and post on here. I think that means it is time to see your doctor.

[Neal73]

It got a little better when I started the diet. I think all my symptoms got a bit better when I started the diet, but very slowly. I just assumed it was from sort of rebooting my system. Whenever I laugh I get really lightheaded. I really just have no idea what's going on.

[Paxiled]

I really don't know -- I wish I did.  Anxiety can cause a lot of this stuff, especially the fog, but it might be something else.  A question -- when you went on your protein only diet, did the fog dissipate?  Because if so, it could have been a gluten problem.  But really, a medical expert I'm not.

[Neal73]

Okay, well any idea as to why I feel the way I do? Why I'm so foggy, and have that inactive brain feeling, or why my glasses make it worse? I've been to the Optometrist, and my prescription is fine. I also went for a LASIK consultation, and a different doctor looked at my eyes, and gave me the same script. So I don't think it's my glasses. There's just something that makes it worse when I put them on. Maybe since my brain is processing more visual stimuli, it fatigues my brain even further. Does that make any sense? I don't know what's going on, that's why I'm here. I just want it to stop. I feel like a moron everywhere I go. I don't necessarily feel drained like I used to. However, I do still get tired more quickly. My thyroid, and vitamin D levels are back in a good range last I checked, so why am I still feeling like I'm in a fog? I don't remember when exactly my levels were back up enough, but how long is it suppose to take? What else should I do? Lol I know a lot of questions, but I'm just at my wits end here. I need this to stop! By the way, maybe saying fog isn't the correct word. I just feel like I'm in a disconnected state. I feel like I'm in fight or flight mode or something. Like a high state of awareness, where everything is more bight, but where I can't really absorb any information. Just doesn't feel right.

[Paxiled]

There are no set answers to this -- there are more theories about eating than about anything else, and we are all different.  I don't see any risk in switching back to a healthy diet, as long as it's healthy -- meaning, healthy carbs.  The word starch is misleading -- what most think is bad are simple carbs, such as white flour and sugar and potatoes that metabolize quickly into sugar, unless you're very athletic and burning it right off.  But you can eat all the vegetables you want, moderate fruits, whole grains, beans.  If you eat a balanced diet you'll get fiber and nutrients.  But nobody can really tell you what percentage is ideal for you -- that comes with trial and error.  I mostly just want you to get some fiber and green leafy vegetables in there so you get your antioxidants and vitamins.

[Neal73]

Yeah, I've thought about all of that. Like I said I'm starting back on a regular diet soon. Do you have any advice as to how slowly I should reintroduce the carbs? Since I haven't had any, I don't want to throw anything out of whack. I've heard you can harm your gallbladder by a sudden dramatic change in diet. My plan is this. One week eat my regular meals with an added daily total of 15g of carbs. Second week add another 15g, and so on, until I'm back to eating regularly. Would it be better to get my carbs from fiber, or starch? Any carbs I should regularly avoid even after I'm eating regular again? Lastly, how many grams of carbs should I consume a day?

[Paxiled]

You may be doing fine now, but it will bite you.  You are hugely increasing your cancer risk, for example, if you're not eating antioxidant rich foods.  There are people who eat very high protein diets, but usually only in places where there just aren't any other foods available, such as the Inuit and the Plains Indians, but they adapted to it over centuries and didn't live the long lives that are possible now.  I really do urge you to consider this course as the high animal diet you're eating has virtually no vitamins in it and no antioxidants.

[Neal73]

I'm taking a bunch of nutritional supplements, and having regular blood tests. No I'm not having any carbs. Not even vegetables. My nutrition however is doing great. All my levels are in a good range. I've thought of maybe it being low blood sugar too. Some days are good, and some days are bad. I can tell I'm not back to myself yet though.

[Paxiled]

First, when you say you're on a no-carb diet, if that's actually true it's probably one source of your problems.  All vegetables and fruits, and in some part beans and whole grains, are carbs, and without them you can't get the proper nutrients.  A diet too high in protein can be nice for awhile, but then it becomes unhealthy.  So I'm hoping you mean you're not eating simple carbs, such as sugar and white flour, which are the only carbs that are bad for you -- the rest are essential to getting your vitamins and antioxidants.  Other than that, the rest could be anxiety, but it could be something else too.  There's no way to tell, but the fact you have thyroid problems can be the problem as everything you're suffering is a symptom of a thyroid problem.  Assuming that's not the issue, it could be a blood sugar issue or a vascular problem or so many things, and it could also be anxiety.