[cait]

I sweat far too much. I have for as long as I can really remember (I mean, probably starting at puberty). It's just sort of there, and always has been for me. Anyway, I was wondering if anybody else has this. I am not on medications or anything like that. I was wondering if it is directly linked to my anxiety. I mean, it just happens when I'm walking to class or something, I can't run very far or anything, or do any physical labour without starting to sweat too much. I sweat sooner than most people under any activity, and more than them as well. So that people will visibly notice that I am sweating too much, and often ask me if it is water! Is it possible that this could be directly caused by my anxiety disorder, or is it more likely that it is due to something else, such as hyperthyroidism or hypoglycemia? I am pretty sure I don't have the former, but I have often been suspicious of the latter.

Anyway, the sweating really does negatively affect my life. It's influenced my choices to drop out of sports, and it is one of the main reasons I refuse to excersise. I hate it so much, oh and I get dehydrated really fast. But it's like it's kind of a part of who I am because I don't recall being any other way. So that kind of prevents me from doing anything about it. Oh yeah, and I'm scared of doctors and I can't articulate what is wrong with me to anybody very well.

 

[millenniumman75]

Cait,

Sweating can be linked to anxiety. It was made worse, for me, with medication, though. It's not just sweating, but also having to go to the bathroom. I use it to my advantage in that it will keep me cool when I run. When I am indoors, I keep a fan blowing on me.

It's just an adjustment to make, the way I see it.

 

[Amygdala]

Where do you sweat most? I sweat a lot, too, mostly under my arms. I think, for me, the cause is a combination of anxiety and just the way my body works. I used to be really self-conscious about it, and try not to raise my hand in class and stuff so people wouldn't see the stains. I now use a product called Certain Dri, which works differently than a regular antiperspirant. It has worked really well for me, and it's available over the counter in the US. I don't know if you can get it in Canada, though. For sweating in other areas, I think the only solution is medication, so you'd have to see a doctor.

As far as talking to doctors, can't you just say the same thing you explained here? It's not a good idea to be afraid of them, because if something medically dangerous was ever wrong with you, you would need to see one. They could probably answer your questions about what could be causing the sweating, too.

I hope this helps!

 

[cait]

Unfortunately it is my forehead, scalp, neck and chest (all the visible places) along with most everywhere else. It's not something I can just make an adjustment to (I've had it all along, it just seems to be getting worse now that I walk more). So I go to school and my neck and face are dripping, it's not exactly something I can just hide. Or bring a fan to class - not an option. It doesn't cool me down faster when running, in fact I think I get warmer than you're supposed to. And then of course the the other side of the spectrum I get cold easily. My body just hates me, basically. And yeah, it's not just sweating. My nose drips (when I eat hot foods or when I'm cold) and my eyes tear up when I'm in the cold wind. I used to show up at my school cafeteria with tears streaming down my face because I had to walk through a windy area to get there in the winter time. Quite frankly though, I don't know what a doctor would or could possibly do for me.

 

[missnat84]

I sweat alot when im anxious :afr

 

[Caedmon]

Hyperhydrosis is miserable. When I was at uni I would walk all day across a large campus to get to my classes. I would have to go into the bathroom stalls just before class and wait 5 minutes for the sweating to subside, meanwhile stripping off my top clothing and dabbing my forehead with toilet paper like a moron. This happened no matter what the weather was like outside.

I thought I would never get my sweating under control but a low dose of amitriptyline works wonders in this area. It does give me dry mouth however, but that's okay because I can probably use the extra hydration - water's good for you!

You might want to see a doctor about getting on an anticholinergic of some sort. That's really the only thing you can do for the overall body hyperhydrosis (if it's just underarm stuff, you can use antiperspirants). I used to think beta blockers were the best thing for this but now I believe most people would do well to try a tricyclic antidepressant, barring any contraindications.

Meanwhile, I always carry a small spray bottle of deodorant in my backpack. Always. Never know when I'll want it!