Fear of vomiting (plus anxiety). Come here to feel normal.

Hi people.

I joined this forum to sort of vent and feel normal and air my feelings. I don't expect anyone to read them or have sympathy but sometimes its good to offload things.

I have (what I'd describe as) extreme anxiety..or atleast "bad" anxiety. I'm my own worst enemy, a small thought can trigger something to happen. Lately my fear of vomiting has resurfaced itself. The fear i've always had but it passed, in 2007 it was really strong and being younger at the time (15/16) I really did think I had a stomach problem. This was not the case. it was a cycle I got myself into thinking about vomiting etc and then feeling sick. Funnily enough it really did "pass"...as I carried on through school/sixth form/college that extreme feeling did go away (although I did get bowts of it).

However 2 weeks ago I started retching because I did genuinely feel sick. This has bought back the fear again. However this time it's worse than a few years ago. It feels worse and the feeling is more intense...and its all caused by me. I know there's nothing wrong with me physically, but mentally it's causing physical symptoms. It's awful.

That's just that 'niggle'. The anxiety prevents me from wanting to do things, join in in things and basic life. I used to be a really outgoing person and got on well with people. Now i just shut myself away panicking over a load of old nonsense! It's weird because I know it, but can't change it.

Anyway, this is a long post and sorry to ramble. thanks

Hi sgm and welcome!

I am sorry to hear that your anxiety has recently ramped up and that some of the old issues have resurfaced.:(

Stomach issues and emetaphobia are very common with anxiety, and we have had so many posts on this very subject! You are certainly not alone in this.

There are many treatment options including medication and therapy that you could talk to your doctor about.

There is also a lot of good material on self-help available. We have some great ideas in our Anxiety/Panic Resources right on the top of our main page!

Keep posting with us if you find it helpful...this is a great place to find information, caring friends with similar issues, and of course support.:)

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat

Any idea why the thought of therapy makes you uncomfortable?

Is it the thought of sharing personal information with a stranger, or a negative stigma surrounding seeing a therapist?

I think that a lot of people feel the same way. This combined with the cost of therapy is probably why self-helps books are so popular.

You could try some self help methods/books first...see how that works for you, and always keep therapy in reserve for it you really find yourself needing it later on.:) (who knows, you may even find yourself enjoying your sessions if you ever get started with it!)

Keep posting with us,

S.C.

I'm not quite sure (100% I mean) what it is that puts me off of the idea of therapy (or counseling). The anxiety alone makes leaving the house some big procedure so now with the feeling sick and nauseous added into the mix it sort of makes life seem almost unbearable.

I am trying to face it head on though, i.e. getting on with it and not letting it stop me but it's hard. I am in the UK and I believe counseling is free (I could be wrong) but I don't think talking about it helps. It helps me to tell my mum but I don't go on and on about it because there's only so much she understands.

I have had a very good day today (well better than recently anyway). I had a friend over which took my mind off of 'it' a bit (the sickness etc) but as I type this, I feel nauseous and back to square one again. It literally can be one moment fine, one moment not.

Overall though I would say today 'nerveswise' has been okay and quite steady.

Sorry if I bore you all, but it does help to know you're not alone.

This week (so far) I feel okay. Well, not okay but steady. It's constantly on my mind (or at the very back of it atleast). It's sometimes hard to understand the line between mental induced symptoms or actual physical symptoms.

Like lately I keep getting this light (but then escalates into something bigger) feeling in my throat. Like I want to gag or choke, but when it comes on, I instantly start thinking about vomit etc so then it starts to feel like i'm actually going to be sick.

This is a mind over matter situation and I do wonder if i'll ever break it, but I just want to live a quiet but steady life.

I do wish you luck, and hope that you have a wonderful time!

I am really glad that you are going, and think that it is a great step to go and take the chance in spite of some reservations.

I am sure that you will be glad that you went!

Talk to you soon,

S.C.

Hi Roosage and welcome to the A/P!

We are glad that you have joined us and are feeling a sense of community and understanding here...because you are certainly not alone!

We all share common struggles that we can support each other in, so post with us anytime.:)

Scaredy Cat

Hey, just to say - the more days out you have the more confidence you will gain. Ye, sure, you will worry, what if this, what if that? some days you may have an attack, but other days you wont at all - just like the day you had in london..If you avoid days out / away like that you will get it into your head that you probably would have had an attack, and reinforce the 'better not go just incase' thinking...
Get out more and enjoy the good days, its the only way. the bad days will become less frequent the less you fear them, your confidance builds, over time.. you may not give it a second thought

sgm said...I know not many will read these posts but it's quite a good way to keep track of my own progress (if at all I am making any).

Actually, a lot of people read through these posts! We have so many who only read through things here. They may or may not reply...but it will be very helpful to many of them to realize that they are not alone!

And yes, this is somewhat like jounalling, so it is a great way to keep tabs on where you have been and where you are going in your journey.:)

Keep up the good work!

S.C.

This whole weekend hasn't been very good all in all. I was tired yesterday (after my 'attack') and when I went to bed I was hoping to get some sleep. Wrong. I got about an hour and a half and was tossing and turning all night (just couldn't sleep). Then around 5am I started panicking (not sure why to be honest) and then the dreaded sickness feeling came, however I did go to sleep for about another hour and woke up feeling really shaky and sicky and blah. It's horrible.

I don't know whether to go to the doctor and explain all of this but sometimes it seems so much to explain. I get confused with it all myself. I don't promote having medication but it's getting to the point now where I feel that would be the only thing that'd work (or atleast settle my nerves).

This past week has been "OK". Nothing too serious, just steady. However as I type I sort of feel slightly queasy (this is because I am near enough constantly thinking of the worst case scenario of being sick). I don't feel sick but keep getting this acidic feeling which isn't pleasant. I read that this can sometimes be a symptom of anxiety (or stressing over the stomach area).

I try to beat it mentally (and I can sometimes) but it is hard depending on how I feel.

Anyway, that is a little update. :)

Thank you (both) for your posts. It really helps to know others have been/are going through the same as me.

This morning hasn't been too good. I just keep getting that "sick" feeling that I know is triggered by the mind. I just know it, I can almost feel it overcoming me. It's depressing when you feel you make progress.

However, as I type this I do slightly feel better and a little calmer so that makes me feel better.

I do think I will go to the doctor at some point. I will explain that because I believe I suffer anxiety and also have a fear of sickness, the two are working in motion to create a quite unbearable lifestyle (at times).