Autonomic Nervous System Disorders and Mood Swings

Q: Autonomic Nervous System Disorders and Mood Swings

Hello, dear netizen： I do not know your age or gender, so I can only guess that you are a young student. <br>From your letter, I can see several health concerns, including symptoms such as chest tightness, insomnia, gastrointestinal dysfunction, emotional stress, significant fina

Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction, Bipolar Disorder

I was previously diagnosed with ADHD and depression.
Recently, I have been experiencing chest tightness, insomnia, and gastrointestinal disturbances, possibly due to academic pressure over the past six months.
However, my emotional fluctuations have not been significant.
Is there a possibility of autonomic nervous system dysregulation, or are these physiological issues caused by anxiety and stress? Additionally, with exams approaching, I experienced a scam two days ago, resulting in a loss of over a hundred thousand.
My emotional and physiological state has changed drastically in the past two days.
In the morning, I felt mentally constrained and depressed, and due to insomnia the night before, I felt exhausted and haggard.
My gastrointestinal function was poor, with nausea and a lack of appetite.
I was also very preoccupied with the money I lost, feeling a tightness in my chest, and coupled with academic difficulties, I felt useless and downcast.
However, after most of the day passed (without any significant events occurring), I suddenly felt like a different person in the evening—my mood lifted, I felt energetic, and my appetite returned.
I became indifferent to the money I lost, feeling happy about spending it, and found joy in the large sums I had spent.
Is this normal? Could there be a tendency towards bipolar disorder?
Moreover, I have been experiencing a cycle of feeling timid at times and fearless at others.
Sometimes, when I see sharp objects or blood, I feel particularly excited and think about the idea of cutting my skin and bleeding, which gives me a thrill.
I often dream of intense scenes involving fighting and killing.
However, when I was threatened during the scam, I felt fear and was scared of being harmed.
Yet, two days later, I feel excited again, thinking about the bloody scenes described by the scammers, anticipating the idea of fighting with others and getting hurt and bleeding, which gives me a sense of excitement.
Sometimes, I am moved by touching scenes in TV shows, but at other times, I enjoy watching others suffer and even feel an impulse to harm or kill them.
Is this normal, or could there be some underlying mental or psychological issues? I have previously discussed my problems with a counselor and a guidance teacher, who suggested seeking professional help.
Given all these issues, do you think it is necessary for me to seek medical attention?

Liu, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2021/06/15

Dr. Liao Dinglie reply Psychiatry

Hello, dear netizen: I do not know your age or gender, so I can only guess that you are a young student.
From your letter, I can see several health concerns, including symptoms such as chest tightness, insomnia, gastrointestinal dysfunction, emotional stress, significant financial loss due to being scammed (I have also been a victim of fraud, so I can empathize), and a strong emotional and perceptual response to pain and harm, among others.
It is indeed advisable for you to visit a psychiatrist at an appropriate time after the pandemic to undergo a comprehensive evaluation and assessment.
This will help you gain a better understanding of yourself and equip you with more tools to appropriately handle these distressing life events and face challenges.
Wishing you all the best, Dr.
Liao Ding-Lie.

Reply Date: 2021/06/15

More Info

Based on your description, it seems that you are experiencing a complex interplay of symptoms that could be related to autonomic nervous system (ANS) disorders, anxiety, and possibly other psychological issues. The autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary bodily functions, including heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate. When it becomes dysregulated, it can lead to a variety of physical symptoms, such as chest tightness, gastrointestinal disturbances, and sleep issues, all of which you have mentioned.

Your history of ADHD and depression, combined with the recent stressors you’ve faced—academic pressure and the emotional fallout from a scam—could certainly exacerbate these symptoms. Stress and anxiety can trigger or worsen autonomic dysfunction, leading to physical manifestations like the ones you are experiencing. For instance, the feelings of chest tightness and gastrointestinal distress are common in individuals with anxiety disorders, as the body’s stress response can lead to hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, which is part of the ANS.

The mood swings you described, where you feel low and then suddenly experience a high, could suggest a mood dysregulation issue. While it’s important to consider the possibility of bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic-depressive illness), it’s also crucial to recognize that significant stressors can lead to temporary mood fluctuations. The excitement you feel in response to thoughts of violence or injury, as well as your fluctuating emotional states, may indicate underlying psychological distress that warrants further exploration.

Your fascination with sharp objects and blood, coupled with feelings of excitement and fear, could suggest a complex relationship with aggression and vulnerability. This duality—feeling both fear and excitement—can be indicative of deeper psychological issues that may benefit from professional evaluation. It’s not uncommon for individuals under significant stress to experience heightened emotions and unusual thoughts, but persistent or intense urges to harm oneself or others should be taken seriously.

Given your symptoms and the impact they have on your daily life, it would be advisable to seek a comprehensive evaluation from a mental health professional. A psychiatrist or psychologist can help assess your symptoms in the context of your history and current stressors. They may explore the possibility of anxiety disorders, mood disorders, or other psychological conditions, and they can provide appropriate treatment options, which may include therapy, medication, or a combination of both.

In summary, your experiences of physical symptoms, mood fluctuations, and unusual thoughts suggest that there may be underlying issues related to your autonomic nervous system and mental health. Seeking professional help is a critical step in understanding and addressing these concerns. A mental health professional can provide you with the support and guidance needed to navigate these challenges and improve your overall well-being.

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