Anxiety and nausea

[thebatman]

Hi, I'm 21 years old and I've suffered from anxiety from the around the age of eight. During this time my anxiety continues to change my symptoms, as my resilience builds against current symptoms. Because of this, each time I'm faced with the question - is this anxiety, or am I actually ill this time? As of the past month or so I've been feeling extremely nauseous from time to time, and I've also been light headed and feeling panicked. I made the mistake of googling 'what causes nausea?', and this has now increased my nausea and vertigo severely because of the possible illnesses that could be the root of my symptoms. I was previously unaware that anxiety could actually cause nausea or vertigo, so I suppose a large portion of me is worried that I am suffering an actual illness. It seems when I start to feel nauseous, it gets worse, because it consumes my each and every thought. It has now gotten to the stage where I don't want to leave my bed, and I'm struggling to eat anything at all, in fear it will make me sick. My question is: has anybody else experienced this? and if so, how did you get over the nausea or the feeling as though you're about to faint?

Thank you.

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[white knight]

Hi batman welcome toBBe forum

Its been over a day and still no answer. this is likely because few have had your symptoms or dont know how to reply.

With depression you can have the same issue, not know if your feelings are the illness or your personality. So you just have to battle through and seek meds and therapy for your anxiety as a priority.

My anxiety took 12 years of medication and a total of 25 years of relaxation exercises to overcome. Read up on many threads under anxiety to educate yourself as much as you can.

Take care TonyWK

[jennyr]

My mother is currently going through the same issues as you. She has severe anxiety and is constantly having chest problems but after medical advice with the heart specialist that is all fine.  She is currently seeking help with relaxation exercises and will be needing new medication, as the current medication that has been prescribed to her does not agree with her. It is very hard for her and she doesn't want to leave her place and finds comfort in the television.  The doctors have also recommended daily exercise even just walking around the block.  We are still trying to find what works best for mum to help her cope with daily life.  I go and visit her weekly with my children which puts a smile on her face and helps her not to think to hard about the negatives.  She is currently seek help from new doctors at the hospital so if new information comes to hand and I'm able to pass it on, I will.

Take care

Jenny

[Doolhof]

Hi Batman,

I am wondering if you have been to a Dr about your anxiety? Have you been referred to a psychiatrist or a psychologist? Have you mentioned to your Doctor, if you are seeing one, that you have been using "Dr. Google" as I call it.

It is great to use the internet to look up things, but it does not pay to take everything as the truth or to heart as you have certainly noticed regarding the nausea and vomiting and anxiety.

The more we think of something, the stronger and the truer that becomes in our minds. If we believe that we are really ill, then we can think our selves into becoming really ill.

So what if you try really hard to change that way of thinking? What if when you start to feel ill you recognise that feeling. You think that yes I am feeling a bit anxious now and I know that if I keep thinking like this I will become really ill. Okay, so I want to stop these thoughts now.

You need to find some way to distract yourself before your thoughts go down the same well trodden path to feeling miserable.

Try a new path. Go out for a walk, dig up weeds in the garden, do a Sudoku puzzle, read an exciting book, count from 110 to 1 backwards, do something to stop your mind choosing the same path way.

Next time you Google, look up subjects that interest you. If you have hobbies, seek more information about those. Maybe look up anxiety, and ways to help yourself. Don't look up the symptoms of anxiety as you already have enough of those, just seek answers to getting better.

Hope this helps in some way! Cheers for now from Mrs. Dools 

[thebatman]

Thank you for the response! 

I'll certainly be doing some reading, thank you 🙂

[thebatman]

Thank you for the response, it's comforting to know that I'm not the only person who feels this way. I sincerely hope your mother finds a way to cope with her issues, as this is quite literally torturous.

Thanks.

[thebatman]

Hi,

Yep, I've seen doctors, had x-rays, heart scans, you name it. (not for the nausea, as this is a new symptom, but I'm seeing my doctor next week about this issue). I have told my doctor about my habit of googling symptoms, and she has told me not to do it, yet I continue to anyway, as my immense need to have answers always gets the better of me. I've also previously seen a psychologist, though, as bizarre as it sounds, this made my issues worse, as I also have quite terrible social anxiety and I would become very anxious in the time leading up to each session.

I probably use 'Dr Google' too often, and have developed a bit of 'cyberchondria', because I've been scaring myself quite terribly. I do, however, feel comfort in knowledge, as my mind is very over-active, and I seem to develop ridiculous ideas in my head, that with factual knowledge, I manage to put to rest. 

Physical distractions are quite difficult for me to rely on, as my mind is extremely easily taken off course, which often results in me re-thinking my anxiety, thus making myself ill again. Though, your mention of reading a book sparks an interest in me, as I enjoy writing, and as I recall, I have managed to remain distracted from my anxious thoughts through writing in the past. Perhaps I will start writing more frequently again.

Thank you for your response, advice and suggestions, I will certainly take them into consideration, and try extremely hard in not allowing these thoughts to consume me. I found it very helpful that you mentioned that the more I think about it, the worse it will become, as I have found this to be very true. I will try to focus my over-active mind elsewhere from now on.

 Thank you! 🙂  

[Doolhof]

Hi Batman,

Thanks for getting back to us. Okay, so the physical side of things doesn't do it for you, I get that. My mind wanders too when I am out walking, so I comprehend that.

Next time you Google something, look up MAZES  PUZZLES  SUDOKU or anything along those lines that uses your brain to concentrate so you don't have time to think of other stuff that is just over running your mind and is of no benefit to you.

So you have clicked with the idea of reading and writing, those activities certainly stop your mind from wandering. Even if you do this for a short period of time, you will soon start to learn to control your mind and be able to comprehend more those thoughts don't need to be at the front of your mind all of the time.

All the best with this, let us know what is working for you, and let me know if you find any interesting sites on the net for mazes and puzzles and so on.

Cheers for now, from Mrs. Dools

[Chloekat84]

Hey. I get extreme anxiety and depression as well and often get nausea. I think its part of having the illness. mine comes and goes. Going through a rough patch of anxiety atm 😞

[Brooklyn01]

hey batman

I've been going through the exact same thing! I'm a lot better now though so there is hope 🙂 my doctor has cleared me from life threatening illness so seeing a doctor to make sure it's nothing else is a great idea. I see a psychiatrist that my doctor recommended Which has made me realize how common anxiety is, meditation has helped the most out of everything! my anxiety has its bad days but now I have techniques to use so that it doesn't turn into a full panic attack. Paul santisi guided meditation is something you should get his helped me day to day, atleast I'm able to leave the house now and work. Try to get through the day hour by hour that helps too, don't worry to far ahead as there is no need 🙂 life's to good to be worrying about what 'if'

brooklyn