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Does Anxiety Cause Tingling Sensation Throughout The Body?

Posted on Wed, 21 Dec 2016

Question: Last night I went to the emergency department after a whole day of having tingling in hands. I have no neurological weakness or any other past history or on any current medications. The doctor assessed me and that he doesn't think it is anything serious, just give it a few days and see what happens. he did mention something about guillian Barre syndrome but seriously doesn't think it's that. I started to get all over body tingling once I left the emergency department and read about this condition, but I have no other symptoms but this tingling on my body. I read it could be an anxiety attack. I still have the all over body tingling now , but no trouble breathing, weakness, just tingling or vibration feeling. I saw a GP and he offered me some Valium and said we can possibly do some blood tests but isn't too worried. I have had an anxiety attack once about 10 years ago, but that was pressure on the chest. My question is this, can anxiety cause whole body tingling even though I have had the whole body tingling for about 11 hours? I am still anxious about it all and unfortunately wasn't given any information. How long does the tingling take to subside if it is an anxiety attack? why does it occur? or is there something else I should be concerned about?

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

This is certainly a somatic symptom of anxiety. This whole-body tingling can last for several hours at a time, but is not dangerous and will eventually subside on its own, though the amount of time it takes is very variable from person to person. It occurs as a result of hyperactivation of the amygdala in the brain which signals this sensation to occur. You need not be concerned. Consider treating anxiety with an SSRI medication such as escitalopram, or cognitive behavioral psychotherapy.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. REMY KOSHY

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (17 hours later)

thank you for your answer. Unfortunately the intense tingling in my hands and feet have not subsided despite 5 hours of sleep and taking a diazepam. I woke up and it was exactly the same. I have gone back to the ED and getting a work up, but they say it's a strange presentation. I do feel very anxious but tingling still present...

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
Tingling lasting this long can still be, and very likely is, a somatic symptom of anxiety and panic. You need to seek out treatment for this with a psychiatrist, using an SSRI medication such as escitalopram or sertraline, and/or cognitive behavioral psychotherapy.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (6 hours later)

Thanks for your reply, during this time I am very appreciative.(if you keep being helpful, you will be a major source of all my psych questions!) I am feeling a bit better mentally, had a sleep for a few hours with the tingling from feet to knees and hands to elbows and a little around the mouth has unfortunately gotten worse, but i am trying to deal with it. I asked the Dr if this could be a strong ongoing and slightly worsening symptom of anxiety, he doesn't think so because I appear calmer and my arterial blood gas showed normal levels of 02 and c02 (I am an anaesthetic nurse so understand blood gas analysis). The doctor has booked me into a neurological clinic for nerve conduction tests tomorrow. I will try and let my body relax and hope that by lessening the stress the tingling, he believes it may possible be a very very strange symptom of gullien barre, but without any muscle weakness. I hope that this anxiety as you suggest and the tingling is hanging around lover than me feeling more relaxed?

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (35 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
Yes, I still believe this is anxiety. This is almost certainly not Guillain-Barre, which is exceedingly rare and always involves muscle weakness.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D