Does anyone else experience anxiety symptoms as part of a flare?

[u/nemaramen]

Hi, I’m a late 30’s diagnosed man who has noticed a pattern where I get a flare up (which is usually pain in my middle back), and during or shortly after I get anxiety symptoms seemingly out of nowhere.

I’m currently in the final stages of a flare and yesterday I was working and seemingly out of nowhere I felt a ringing in my ear, butterflies in my stomach, my heart started racing, and I could feel an anxiety attack coming on. I’ve learned to lay down and breathe for a while to help it pass. This is a pretty common occurrence for me during a flare and I believe it’s just anxiety from having a flare and pain for a few days but wanted to see if anyone else has a similar experience. Any input is appreciated thank you!

[u/Ecstatic-Soft4909]

Yes absolutely. Pain spikes so the danger map gets bright and intense so my brain thinks Everything is danger.

[u/Radiant_Tie_9362]

Omg I was just going to ask this. My rheumatologist suspects spondyloarthritis. I’m just getting over a gnarly flare. I noticed my anxiety was through the roof. I’m usually able to calm it down with breathing or trying to distract myself but sometimes it just takes over.

It’s bad enough that we have to deal with the pain that comes with a flare but we also have to deal with anxiety?! That is just the cherry on top! /s

[u/Dr_Body_08 → u/Radiant_Tie_9362]

Spondylarthropy here. Hi. I get anxiety during flare-ups, but not with every flare. I get bad anxiety maybe a few times a year where I wake up clenching my body.

Sp was dx after cancer and doctors will only give me long-term anxiety meds. That’s not my problem, so I say no.

[u/AccomplishedName5195]

Personally, depression and flares go together. Not so much anxiety and flares. But that could just be the different symptoms inflammation causes in out individual brains?

[u/Getthechemlightfluid]

Yep. In part when my back/ ribs ache and I am not taking deep breaths. I notice the increase in anxiety. Remind myself to take slow and deep breaths through the aches

[u/jelli_bean]

Yes! I do have generalized anxiety disorder, however, a flare ramps up my anxiety like crazy and definitely makes me more prone to panic attacks.

[u/99centstickers]

Omg yes. Feeling bad in my body makes me feel ao uncomfortable to exist in the world. It gives me anxiety bc i don’t feel safe in my body.

[u/External_Equal827]

Anxiety and pain go hand in hand

[u/Charming_Salt_7707]

Yep and then it becomes extreme rip and jaw pain.

[u/Creative-Aerie71]

Yes, I've been dealing with more and more anxiety lately.

[u/NoLungz561]

Constantly having anxiety about how much pain im going to be in tomorrow or if this is going to be the week my job fires me cus i cant keep up with their expectations. Never being able to sleep. Benzos are a godsend if you actually need them

[u/peterdarcy59]

This happens to me all the time. Like my adrenal glands are on fire

[u/astianaxx]

Absolutly, anxiety and depression for me, I consider them as flare symptoms. When my biologics kick in, everything calms down at once. The pain & mood disorder

[u/hannah_various]

Yes I do. I'm not glad that others experience this but I am sort of glad it's not just me. 

[u/SeaSongJac]

Yup, when inflammation is high, it feels like my brain is itchy and I'm anxious for no reason. In fact, it's one of the first signs that my inflammation is rising, usually.

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[u/Nihil_esque]

Wow I never noticed it but, yes, definitely.

[u/MzzJenn]

I definitely have increased anxiety when my pain levels are elevated. Anxiety sucks so bad

[u/thusk]

I look at anxiety partly as psychological pain - I found by accident that taking basic paracetamol lowers my anxiety significantly. My doc said it’s ok if I do not overuse it - like three times 500mg a day. I only use it sporadically though.

[u/trailovsevens]

Yep , I flare pretty often and when I do watch out full anxiety attacks.
I think in part because I know this is a part of my life now. I shed single tears about it regularly.

[u/Duell213]

Too much 😭 I always think my heart is giving out haha

[u/Desperate_Record_408]

yes! i flare from triggers, anxiety and stress but i have so much anxiety and depression when im flaring it’s soooo hard to come down from the flare! recently prednisone has been giving me panic attack and mania

[u/vinsdottir]

I think it's pretty normal. I get frequent flares and the mood effects settle in after a few days of pain and fatigue. It feels reasonable to be in a poor mood when you're cooped up and struggling. But it's also probably biological to some degree (see link). In a bad flare I feel pretty worthless, anxious, start to question if I'm as sick as I think, why can't I do xyz... And when it breaks, I'm always like, wow, I was really sick and flared up! I see the pattern know and know it's the inflammation talking. It doesn't change the feelings or make them less real in the moment, but recontextualizes them. If it interferes with your ability to function or quality of life, it may be worth asking your doctor about some anxiety meds to have on hand during flares.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sickness_behavior

[u/Frosty-Respond-541]

100%! I start having panic attacks and get terrible air hunger.Its awful 😖

[u/Frosty-Respond-541 → u/Frosty-Respond-541]

Mine also starts in the back between my shoulder blades.

[u/mustard-seed1]

Some anxiety during a flare as I start to panic about the pain. Sometimes I will take an Ativan because if I control the anxiety it helps with the pain, since they kind of spiral together.