Experiencing Unexplained Fainting and Anxiety
Greetings, Reddit community! I'm 27 years old and a female who has battled severe anxiety for quite some time now. Over the past several years, life has been quite challenging. As a stay-at-home mom with two young children aged 4 and 6, I manage the household while my husband works long hours—often up to 80 a week. Despite our hard work, we continue to struggle financially, living from paycheck to paycheck, dealing with debts, and receiving frequent calls from collectors. On top of that, I’ve faced issues in my marriage due to my husband’s infidelity. Under these difficult circumstances, I've stayed in the relationship when I typically would have addressed such problems decisively. At 24, following a traumatic experience during childbirth where I nearly lost my life and was separated from my newborn for a week, I began taking SSRIs. Prior to that, I had no serious concerns about mental health aside from experiencing anxiety and moments of sadness. Unfortunately, my journey took a troubling turn—I entered a phase of drug-induced psychosis that further complicated my life. I depleted my savings, took out exorbitant loans, and hurt those I cared about. Eventually, I found myself in a psychiatric hospital, where I was diagnosed with unspecified bipolar disorder. After many encounters with various mental health professionals, it's been around eight months since I’ve stopped taking SSRIs, and both I and my loved ones believe I’m managing better without them. Recently, about two months ago, I experienced an episode that has left me unnerved. While resting in bed next to my husband, I suddenly began to shake uncontrollably. This was no mere tremor; the magnitude of my shaking was enough to rock the bed. After about 20 minutes, it subsided, and I dismissed it as just another panic attack, despite feeling mentally clear at the time. I mentioned it to my therapist, who concurred with the panic attack interpretation. Since that day, I have gone through this shaking episode approximately 10 to 15 times, all occurring at night. As my stress levels and anxiety have been rising with fatigue becoming a constant companion, I assumed this was simply a manifestation of my unease. Fast forward to three days ago. My husband and I were attempting to share an intimate moment when I suddenly felt overwhelmed. As he kissed my neck, I grappled with a sense of discomfort despite trying to be present and relaxed. He lifted my shirt, and I’m unsure whether it was the cold air or the feeling of vulnerability, but I instinctively recoiled. I called out his name, though my voice was barely audible, and I found myself falling back against the pillow, eyes closed, completely unable to move yet aware of my surroundings. My husband panicked, exclaiming, “Oh my god, did you just die?” I could hear him and found myself questioning whether I had indeed passed out. After about 20 seconds, I regained consciousness, overwhelmed with emotion. He guided me through some breathing exercises which, to be honest, I thought were ineffective in the past, yet I followed along out of fear. I encouraged myself mentally, insisting that this must come to an end and that I needed to regain my composure. Eventually, I calmed down and we went to bed. Since that incident, I have not experienced any further shaking. Yet, I remain perplexed and frightened by what happened. While I consider reaching out to my psychiatrist, I harbor a strong fear that I might be prescribed SSRIs once more...
Answers (1)
2/4/2026, 1:20:42 AM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your experiences; it sounds like you’ve been through a very challenging time. It's understandable to feel anxious and perplexed by the recent episodes of shaking and faintness, especially with the stressors you are managing in your life.
Main Points:
- Understanding Your Symptoms: The shaking episodes and the fainting-like experience may be linked to your heightened anxiety and the stressful circumstances surrounding you.
- Focus on Immediate Management: While maintaining communication with your mental health professionals, you can adopt practical strategies to help manage anxiety and stress levels.
Explanation:
Your episodes of shaking and fainting-like feelings are concerning and warrant attention. Stress and anxiety can manifest physically, leading to symptoms like panic attacks, tremors, or dissociation (feeling detached from your surroundings). Given your history of anxiety and living with bipolar disorder, it’s important to seek clarity on these symptoms.
Even though your therapist attributed the shaking episodes to panic attacks, the severity and nature of your experiences may need to be reassessed. Factors like fatigue, emotional stress, and past trauma can exacerbate anxiety, leading to physical symptoms like the ones you've described.
Next Steps:
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Monitor and Document Symptoms: Keep a detailed record of your shaking episodes and feelings of faintness. Note down when they occur, their duration, any triggers you identify, and how you felt before and after. This information can be valuable for any healthcare professional you might consult.
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Implement Stress Reduction Techniques: Incorporate practices into your daily routine, such as:
- Mindfulness or Deep Breathing: Consider starting a daily practice of mindfulness meditation or deep breathing exercises, which can help regulate anxiety and promote relaxation.
- Physical Activity: Regular, gentle exercise (like walking) can improve mood and reduce stress.
- Sleep Hygiene: Prioritize good sleep practices, as adequate rest can significantly impact mood and anxiety levels.
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Limit Caffeine and Alcohol: These substances can exacerbate anxiety and may increase the likelihood of panic attacks. Aim to reduce or avoid them.
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Establish a Support System: Share your experiences with trusted friends or loved ones who can provide emotional support. Sometimes, discussing your feelings can help alleviate anxiety.
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Consider Reaching Out to a Mental Health Professional: While I understand your hesitation about medication, your safety and wellbeing are paramount. You might benefit from discussing your recent symptoms and experiences with your therapist or psychiatrist. They can help explore either medication-free options (like therapy) or alternative medications if needed.
Finally, remember that it's okay to seek help, and you are not alone in this journey. If you ever feel overwhelmed, take a moment to practice deep breathing or try grounding techniques (like focusing on your surroundings) to help regain your calm.
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