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Why does my mom keep getting anxiety attacks?
Aging Well | Last Active: Sep 17, 2023 | Replies (11)Comment receiving replies
She did have a sinus infection but we noticed the anxiety before that, and she was in the hospital for the anxiety attacks. There is also no sign of fever or infection, but her appetite has been affected severely she is not eating like she use to would you know if this is normal for someone with anxiety like this?
Replies to "She did have a sinus infection but we noticed the anxiety before that, and she was..."
This is SO me. At one point, I stopped eating for over a week. It was a combo of job, and visiting toxic family, and travel, and weather, and I left there and drove directly to Mayo Clinic. Once I was there, after my first meeting with the doctor who would coordinate my visits, I left there and went to a bakery, and ate an entire chocolate pastry.
It sounds like she really would benefit from an empathetic psychiatrist, once physical problems are ruled out.
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Hi @aarona560 ❤
I love how much you love your mother.
Before the anxiety started, did your mother have any big medical problems that she's been dealing with(in addition to her sinus infection)?
Also, if you list some of the meds she is taking, maybe someone will be able to give you a heads up that it may be instigating her anxiety- like symptoms (dizziness, heart palpitations, vision disturbances, legs not working, etc).
Yes, there is definitely no doubt that anxiety, worry, and panic attacks can absolutely cause all of these symptoms. It is a real thing.
But that said, I always like to make sure there isn't something medical that is being missed.
Has your mother experienced panic attacks and anxiety in her life before the last 4 weeks or is this something totally new for her? Is there anything new in her life that may be affecting her thoughts? Did something happen?
I know that a lot of people are worried now about their jobs, crazy inflation, the price of housing, the price of food, personal relationships, etc.
Is your mom possibly worried about something like that?
I read an article that over 50% of the American population is now struggling to keep their mental health, so your mother has lots of company in this unbelievably stressful world.
I love that she has you as her daughter to support her through this and I totally agree with @patient101
If you feel the anxiety is not from a medical issue, making an appointment with an excellent psychiatrist is an outstanding idea to help your mother through this rough patch in her life. Do you like that idea?