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Why don't I get the symptoms most commonly described, like clammy hands and a tight chest? Is it my adrenal system or something?

13 Answers
Last Updated: 06/23/2020 at 1:29am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Elaine Kish, LMSW

Clinical Social Work/Therapist

My goal is to treat clients with respect and compassion. I am a supportive, strengths-based therapist with experience in treating mood disorders, grief, and trauma.

Top Rated Answers
Bridget546
June 18th, 2015 2:43pm
The simple answer is that everyone experiences panic differently. Not everyone has every symptom. Not everyone has all of the most common symptoms. Some people don't have any of the common symptoms. You have to listen to your body and respond accordingly.
Anonymous
October 1st, 2019 3:00am
Everyone is different. Everyone learns differently. They know that they have specific triggers, environmental exposures and genetic composition. Everyone has genes that get exposed across different conditions. Sometimes those genes activate. Sometimes they don't. Sometimes trauma can have adverse impact as well. Based on conditioning, different people have different activation of their flight or fight response. Other times, mental health impacts physical symptons and vice versa. Two people could have the same genes but varying environments, triggers, scenarios, experiences, knowledge, etc. The more you study, the more you learn about the complexity of the human condition and mind, including neuroplasticity.
Shaunislistening
May 4th, 2015 11:57pm
If it were your adrenal system the parasympathetic responses you mention would be more prevalent. You must be speaking to anxiety. As a chronic anxiety sufferer myself I rarely experience these symptoms either. That being said the anxiety is certainly real. Symptom clusters are rarely 100 percent applicable to each person.
imperfectlistener
June 8th, 2015 1:51am
Every person is different and experiences things differently. That's why they call them "common symptoms" and not "end-all-be-all symptoms"
xSarahlynnx
June 22nd, 2015 7:48pm
This is a question that we don't have the ability to answer , please go to a doctor and voice your problems there! And I hope you feel better.
TheWeepingWillow
July 13th, 2015 2:26am
Remember, not everyone will have the same symptoms! Everyone is different. Is this related to panic attacks or general anxiety?
Anonymous
July 21st, 2015 2:11am
the best thing is talk to your doctor, sometimes the doctors are the one who knows the answers..
Anonymous
January 7th, 2016 4:36am
There are hundreds of symptoms of anxiety and although the most common signs are clammy hands, fast heart rate, shortness of breath, etc., there are different symptoms for different people.
beautifulFreedom65
September 26th, 2016 7:17pm
You can look into your adrenal system or ask your doctor if you are worried about it. It may be just anxiety but it is always good to just safe(: good luck
Anonymous
March 27th, 2017 7:58pm
Everyone is different and we all experience things in different ways. Some people only get some syptoms some people get a variety.
Cheshiresaxon
August 22nd, 2017 12:03am
Everyone's bodies are different and everyone has different reactions to stressful situations. That's why people can't tell how others are lying based off of if they blink three times, or look to their right. Everyone's different and everyone's bodies copes with different stressful situations in different ways.
radiantFireworks51
February 12th, 2018 8:55pm
Sometimes I don’t get symptoms either and I didn’t at first, I’m not sure why this happens but they are just symptoms and symptoms aren’t always a definite thing that happens
JustBreathe019
June 23rd, 2020 1:29am
Anxiety manifests itself in many forms. Clammy hands and tight chest are just 2 common symptoms but are not the only symptoms. There are many symptoms like shutting down, feeling numb, fidgeting, lost in train of thought, afraid of doing things that may cause embarrassment, sweating, avoiding answering in fear of being wrong or sounding inadequate, overthinking, overanalyzing, making up many scenarios of a possible outcome before responding......and the list goes on and on. Anxiety is subjective to the person. You will know yourself. What feels right, what feels wrong, what feels off etc. You are the only one walking in your shoes. Basically you are 100% orginal and so don't use anyone else's symptoms as a benchmark for how you feel. Learn to be in tune with your own body.

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