The Ramblings of a "Mad Man"

I was at the gym today for the second day in a row. I am hardly back in shape after is over a two year layoff from anything that resembles physical activity. This morning I woke up very anxious for the first time in quite some time and I couldn’t place why. I really should not have been trying to figure out why, but what can I say, I am an anxious, over analytical person. Anyway, I worked out this afternoon as well and am sitting here feeling similar. I feel tense, on edge, hot, stomach is a little strange, I am winded and breathing is tough. Then I noticed how similar these symptoms are to an actual panic attack. The tension caused by working out hard feels just like tension from a stressful event. Feeling on edge or, better put, light headed as a result of holding my breath as I worked out to exhaustion. Hot… Well, yea… My stomach is sick because I didn’t eat and I probably burned a lot of carbs while working out. Winded and breathing, again, I was working out! That is how I am supposed to feel when exercising. Anyway, I think it all comes down to my hypersensitivity to bodily sensations. Slight increase in heart rate, dizzy feeling, out of breath, etc. These are all signs that used to send me into a complete and total panic simply as a result of fear and an immediate adrenaline rush which is another “symptom” of exercise. LOL.

I think working out will be beneficial to me and I used to recommend that to everyone. Since I have not been very diligent myself, I feel somewhat hypocritical saying this, but exercise is very helpful for the anxious person for exactly the reasons I listed above. You will feel strange, out of breath, tired, and your heart may beat fast, but at the end of the day, the only thing that will happen is you will get in better shape. It is basically ERP with an added bonus of decreased risk for heart disease and pretty much any other ailment. I think it is truly the best medicine for anxiety disorders of all types.

Take care,
OE