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What Causes Head Pressure, Nausea, Chest Tightness, Light Sensitivity And Fearful Thoughts?
Posted on
Thu, 10 Aug 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 10 Aug 2017
Answered on
Wed, 6 Sep 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : Another question on panic attacks... often i will get what feels like an attack... pressure in the head, nausea, tightness in the diaphram, sensitive to stimuli and my thoughts definitely becone more fearful. Sometimes its overwhelming. And when its over it leaves me depressed and flat and sonewhat disconnected.
But, i dont get freaked out about it and go running to an er like i used to. I certainly hate it in the moment and def dont want more of them but im not super held back anymore.
Why do they still happen? And do you think theyll go away?
Also, could it be anything else or are panic attacks the only reason for these stmptoms typically?
But, i dont get freaked out about it and go running to an er like i used to. I certainly hate it in the moment and def dont want more of them but im not super held back anymore.
Why do they still happen? And do you think theyll go away?
Also, could it be anything else or are panic attacks the only reason for these stmptoms typically?
Brief Answer:
These symptoms are most probably due to anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM
The symptoms like pressure in head, nausea, tightness in diaphragm, increased sensitivity to light, fearful thoughts etc could be occurring due to anxiety. If severe and result in symptoms like impending doom then that could be due to panic attacks.
Panic and anxiety attacks occurs due to a number of reasons. Neurotransmission of serotonin, environmental factors, behavioural factors etc all play role in generation of anxiety.
Yes with proper medicines and behaviour therapy these can be controlled and your day to day functioning will definitely improve.
Other issues especially cardiac issues, hyperthyroidism, vitamin B12 deficiency etc should be ruled out. ECG can help to rule out any cardiac issue grossly. Thyroid function tests should be done to rule out hyperthyroidism. These could cause symptoms similar to anxiety.
Thanks and Take care
Please let me know if you need further assistance.
These symptoms are most probably due to anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM
The symptoms like pressure in head, nausea, tightness in diaphragm, increased sensitivity to light, fearful thoughts etc could be occurring due to anxiety. If severe and result in symptoms like impending doom then that could be due to panic attacks.
Panic and anxiety attacks occurs due to a number of reasons. Neurotransmission of serotonin, environmental factors, behavioural factors etc all play role in generation of anxiety.
Yes with proper medicines and behaviour therapy these can be controlled and your day to day functioning will definitely improve.
Other issues especially cardiac issues, hyperthyroidism, vitamin B12 deficiency etc should be ruled out. ECG can help to rule out any cardiac issue grossly. Thyroid function tests should be done to rule out hyperthyroidism. These could cause symptoms similar to anxiety.
Thanks and Take care
Please let me know if you need further assistance.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi thanks.
They used to get bad with impending doom but that never happens anymore. Its much more physical then mental.
And it mostly happens when resting or inactive.
But what do you think of the depression afterwards. Sometimes thats worse than the attack. I can feel so off in the head and so pressured inside like i need to relieve internal pressure but theres no way to do it. And sometimes that can last for hours.
Whats that?
They used to get bad with impending doom but that never happens anymore. Its much more physical then mental.
And it mostly happens when resting or inactive.
But what do you think of the depression afterwards. Sometimes thats worse than the attack. I can feel so off in the head and so pressured inside like i need to relieve internal pressure but theres no way to do it. And sometimes that can last for hours.
Whats that?
Brief Answer:
The pressure like feeling is part of anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
The symptoms after severe anxiety attack or panic are part of mood disturbance only. This is not any other issue. After severe anxiety or panic anticipatory anxiety remains for some time. This mild to moderate anxiety results in symptoms like pressure like feeling in head and as if head is heavy. This is seen in a lot of individuals after panic attacks.
Thanks
The pressure like feeling is part of anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
The symptoms after severe anxiety attack or panic are part of mood disturbance only. This is not any other issue. After severe anxiety or panic anticipatory anxiety remains for some time. This mild to moderate anxiety results in symptoms like pressure like feeling in head and as if head is heavy. This is seen in a lot of individuals after panic attacks.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks again.
Do you think if i keep working through on my own and reduce my fear about the symptoms they will settle down?
My therapist thinks so but that it could take up to 2 years because of how sensitive my nervous system has become and that it takes a very long time to go bsck to homeostasis on its own .
Do you think if i keep working through on my own and reduce my fear about the symptoms they will settle down?
My therapist thinks so but that it could take up to 2 years because of how sensitive my nervous system has become and that it takes a very long time to go bsck to homeostasis on its own .
Brief Answer:
Behaviour therapy has great efficacy in anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
Yes, Behavioural Modifications or behaviour therapy have great efficacy in controlling the symptoms of anxiety. You can try thought suppression and relaxation exercises and you will definitely see improvement.
You can control the severe anxiety or panic attacks by breathing exercises and relaxation exercises. This requires practice but with time you will be able to control the anxiety.
Thanks
Behaviour therapy has great efficacy in anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
Yes, Behavioural Modifications or behaviour therapy have great efficacy in controlling the symptoms of anxiety. You can try thought suppression and relaxation exercises and you will definitely see improvement.
You can control the severe anxiety or panic attacks by breathing exercises and relaxation exercises. This requires practice but with time you will be able to control the anxiety.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Great!
And do you think that is the same with depression? Sort of that the people who recover are the ones who understand that the brain just takes time to heal from stress and not to get too wrapped up in the feelings in your head?
Because I recognize that as i come out of high anxiety... my brain is depressed... im not sad but i definitely feel like it just wants to rest and often tries to force me to pay attention to it with low feelings and those overwhelmed feelings from doing normal things and just an extreme sensitivity that didnt exist prior to my "nervous breakdown" after my father died and i had surgery and had money stolen and lost my job (all that hsppened a few years ago in the same month and its been a long climb out of it). I had a breakdown and started hsving very high anxiety and panic and all sorts of things. But when i started therspy, they explained to me what happened in my brain and that it takes time to heal, but it will heal eventually if i just keep living life and tolerating symptoms
Your thoughts are appreciated .
And do you think that is the same with depression? Sort of that the people who recover are the ones who understand that the brain just takes time to heal from stress and not to get too wrapped up in the feelings in your head?
Because I recognize that as i come out of high anxiety... my brain is depressed... im not sad but i definitely feel like it just wants to rest and often tries to force me to pay attention to it with low feelings and those overwhelmed feelings from doing normal things and just an extreme sensitivity that didnt exist prior to my "nervous breakdown" after my father died and i had surgery and had money stolen and lost my job (all that hsppened a few years ago in the same month and its been a long climb out of it). I had a breakdown and started hsving very high anxiety and panic and all sorts of things. But when i started therspy, they explained to me what happened in my brain and that it takes time to heal, but it will heal eventually if i just keep living life and tolerating symptoms
Your thoughts are appreciated .
Brief Answer:
Cognitive behaviour therapy is needed in depression
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
In depression Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) has great efficacy. Behaviour therapy part is similar to treatment of anxiety but in Cognitive therapy multiple sessions are needed. But the therapy has efficacy similar to medicines.
Those who have great insight about the mental illness are early to recover compared to those who lack insight. Yes those who understand that brain just takes time to heal from stress. This is part of insight only.
Repeated stresses first the health of your father and nervous breakdown, then surgery, then loss of money and then finally loss of job. All these things happened in a short time. Such huge traumas result in a situation like helplessness or learned helplessness. In future the individuals stop thinking with optimism but they started to consider that nothing positive will happen. This results in worsening of depressive symptoms.
Proper behaviour and cognitive therapy help to come out of these thoughts. Just don't loose hope.
Thanks.
Let me know if you need further assistance.
Cognitive behaviour therapy is needed in depression
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
In depression Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) has great efficacy. Behaviour therapy part is similar to treatment of anxiety but in Cognitive therapy multiple sessions are needed. But the therapy has efficacy similar to medicines.
Those who have great insight about the mental illness are early to recover compared to those who lack insight. Yes those who understand that brain just takes time to heal from stress. This is part of insight only.
Repeated stresses first the health of your father and nervous breakdown, then surgery, then loss of money and then finally loss of job. All these things happened in a short time. Such huge traumas result in a situation like helplessness or learned helplessness. In future the individuals stop thinking with optimism but they started to consider that nothing positive will happen. This results in worsening of depressive symptoms.
Proper behaviour and cognitive therapy help to come out of these thoughts. Just don't loose hope.
Thanks.
Let me know if you need further assistance.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Hi again -
Something that recently started is internal vibrating/jumpy nerves when trying to rest after activity or seeing flickering lights/alot of stimuli.
Last night i got into bed and my leg and head felt like there was a ball bouncing around inside. No visible shaking but very strong jumpy nerves. And my head felt very weird and anxious and full.
I had just come from alot of stimulation/bright lights/flickering lights/noise and activity.
Could this be contributed to my senditive nervous system and panic disorder or an i having seizures
?
Something that recently started is internal vibrating/jumpy nerves when trying to rest after activity or seeing flickering lights/alot of stimuli.
Last night i got into bed and my leg and head felt like there was a ball bouncing around inside. No visible shaking but very strong jumpy nerves. And my head felt very weird and anxious and full.
I had just come from alot of stimulation/bright lights/flickering lights/noise and activity.
Could this be contributed to my senditive nervous system and panic disorder or an i having seizures
?
Brief Answer:
This is due to mild anxiety and is commonly seen.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
No this is not due to panic disorder or seizures or any nervous system issues. You have mentioned that you just came from lot of stimulation, bright and flickering lights, noise etc. This is normal after such activities. This is due to slight restlessness or mild anxiety. This will go by own in some time. Avoid thinking about this. This is not a serious issue.
Thanks,
Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
This is due to mild anxiety and is commonly seen.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
No this is not due to panic disorder or seizures or any nervous system issues. You have mentioned that you just came from lot of stimulation, bright and flickering lights, noise etc. This is normal after such activities. This is due to slight restlessness or mild anxiety. This will go by own in some time. Avoid thinking about this. This is not a serious issue.
Thanks,
Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. Sometimes it feels like theres fireworks in my head when it happens. Its similar to when you grt really excited but usually that passes. This kinda stays around for a bit.
Brief Answer:
These symptoms will go by own.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Since you already have anxiety so this is the reason this is persisting for some time. But this will pass by own in some time. Try to ignore these symptoms. If you have prescription of low dose Clonazepam or Alprazolam then you can take a tablet and you will feel better.
Thanks.
These symptoms will go by own.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Since you already have anxiety so this is the reason this is persisting for some time. But this will pass by own in some time. Try to ignore these symptoms. If you have prescription of low dose Clonazepam or Alprazolam then you can take a tablet and you will feel better.
Thanks.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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