Hi. I’m new to Reddit and am not entirely sure how it works. But I would love some insight.

I never had anxiety as a problem. I think every human has some sort of baseline anxiety level. And it fluctuates. Whether you have a presentation to give, exam in school, dentist appt. Etc (those are when your anxiety levels are higher). This was me. I was happy, and I wasn’t limited to doing anything, because my anxiety didn’t stop me. And once I finished the presentation, or turned in my exam or left the dentist office, I was back to “normal”

Something happened to me 2 months ago. It wasn’t anything extreme, but something not good happened to me 2 months ago. And ever since then, my anxiety level has established a new baseline of “normal”. A much higher level now. I don’t know how to quantify it, but it’s not normal. It’s foreign to me it seems. It’s a higher level, and my body is physically reacting to it. I don’t know why.

My body is the problem it feels like now. My brain seems to be fine, and seems to have the same thoughts as it always have, but my body’s reaction to these thoughts have changed now. I get nauseous, my limbs feel like jello, I’m light headed, higher heart rate, and restlessness. I wish I could explain exactly and precisely what I’m feeling, but this is the best I can do. It’s like I’m in a fog, or in a trance and I can’t snap out of it. I don’t know if it’s getting better or worse with time. It seems like this new anxiety is becoming more rooted in me, and as time goes on, it’s getting harder and harder to target the cause. 

I really believe it’s anxiety, but I never knew it could be triggered for the first time ever. I thought it was just something people were “born with”. I never knew there was a “switch” in my brain that turned on causing me to feel this way.

Has anyone felt like this before? On paper I have nothing to worry about, but my body is reacting this way for no reason it seems. And thoughts that never used to bother me, bother me. Even when I logically think to myself, there is no fear or worry, my body’s baseline anxiety is still persistent.

I’m so tired of feeling like this every single day. Maybe I’m weak because people endure this for much longer than two months. But it’s taking a toll on me. Can someone help me understand? And is this something that can go away, and can I go back to “normal” where I was 2 months ago? I know this is different than what I used to feel, so it bothers me. This is not normal and I’m a bit scared.

What do I do to get better? I’m meeting with a therapist, no meds, and some moments during the day it’s worse than others. My worst moments can be described as desperation and helplessness. My best moments I feel patient and understanding. But nonetheless my best moments still have the new baseline anxiety level.

My body feels like the problem now. Not my thoughts. Thanks in advance. Insight is really appreciated.