I know I’m a bit late to this conversation, but I’ve just had a similar reaction to a general as the OP. I had a repair to a hiatal hernia 2 weeks ago. Before the surgery, I had severe anxiety, which was affecting my quality of life.
Right after the surgery and for the following week, I was super relaxed.
My anxiety levels have increased, but not to an unmanageable extent.
I have had anxiety for over 45 years (I’m on the autism spectrum, undiagnosed, but it explains a lot. I suffer from PTSD & depression. Strangely, I self medicate (that old chestnut).
I live in a fairly conservative country, so I don’t have access to a lot of medication. But I do get antidepressants etc. they have never really worked. I mean, they do something, but life was still pretty intolerable.
My main form of self medication was alcohol. I haven’t had a drink since the surgery. Yes, I know, alcohol make anxiety worse, but when my brain won’t shutdown for 1 minute in a day, I reach for that bottle.
I’ve lived with depression and anxiety for around 90% of my life, so I know this might only be temporary. But a 2 week break from the intense anxiety has been like a holiday.
I started thinking about this because I have heard there are some initial positive results with ketamine injections. I was wondering if this could be having a similar effect.
My psychologist wants to send me for a general anytime I get overwrought, over stimulated and generally can’t cope. 🤪🤪
Anyway, I just thought I’d add my story as anecdotal evidence.