Anxiety manifesting physically?

[Seekparadise]

I have never been diagnosed with anxiety before but over my life there have been several things that have triggered me to feel exceptionally anxious to the point of what I would describe as a panic attack such as having bugs in my house and public speaking. I've also generally been exceptionally nervous when it comes to social situations.

Recently I started a new job. It was great for a few weeks but I'm a few months in and I'm starting to feel horrible. It's a sales job and it's stressful and I find myself dreading going even in the days leading up to a shift. When I do go, I've found myself vomiting on my way there and when I'm at work. I've been the doc for it + other symptoms like acid reflux and I'm on medication for that. But I'm still vomiting. I realised it only happens when I'm on my way to work. Lately I've been feeling horrible all the time. I feel sick to my stomach, exhausted. I'm not thinking anything in particular, not pre empting situations or thinking negative thoughts, but I feel worried all the time and I'm starting to feel unsettled like I used to, feeling like I'm clenching up all the time. I've had a long history of nausea and vomiting and stomach issues and I'm starting to wonder if all along this has been tied to anxiety.. doctors have never found anything physically wrong with me.

I'm seeing Headspace next week and my doctor has me on a mental health care plan. but I'm just wondering if anyone else has anxiety that manifests in physical health symptoms. Like stomach aches, vomiting, nausea? Fatigue? I'm wondering if anxiety is causing it?

[geoff]

hi Seekparadise, all I can say is absolutely without any doubt, simply because your mind and your stomach can be connected, so when someone has anxiety it sends a signal to your tummy on how you are going to react, in other words have a stomach that will handle how you are thinking or alternatively cause nausea and then vomit, it's not done on purpose, but your mind may force your body to let it out.
Awhile ago I had several bouts of feeling nauseated so my doctor prescribed anti-nausea tablets or gave me an injection, these sometimes worked but the only way to feel better was to make myself sick, and if I had an empty stomach the feeling of being nauseated was worse.
There maybe nothing wrong with you physically, but that doesn't mean you that you won't feel the way you do, old grannies ways are that ginger, hard loolies and/or peppermints help with settling your stomach. Geoff.

[Seekparadise]

Yeah that's what I figured was happening.. Thankyou 🙂 I'll try some of those things.

[JessF]

Hello Seekparadise, I think part of the key may be in your sentence "It's a sales job and it's stressful and I find myself dreading going even in the days leading up to a shift. " Perhaps this is not the job for you?

I found myself in an unsuitable job a few years ago and similar thing started occurring. The anxiety kicked in to the point where I could not face going to work any longer. I do have a history of anxiety, which was making things worse, but the real problem was the job. I was not happy there. As soon as I left, and found something better suited to me, things went back to normal.

[Seekparadise]

I do agree with you, however at the moment I'm stuck with the job I have until I can get something new. My partner recently quit his job because his boss was toxic and abusive and so I'm solely supporting us. I also have debts I have to pay off and so I have to be in this job right now.. I'm trying to find something new though. There's a whole bunch of other things going on too

[Supergirl]

Anxiety starts off in the mind and eventually it manifests itself in physical symptoms. I was agoraphobic for 6 months and couldn't leave the house. I was dry reaching every morning, and felt nauseous all the time. I had severe heart palpitations, dizziness, chest tightness, all over body tension,, I was paralized with fear. If I ever tried to leave the house a panic attack would occur. It got worse and worse and the physical symptoms got worse the more I avoided. I started with small exposure exercises (going to the mailbox, sitting out the front for 5 minutes), then progressed to walking around the block and gradually but surely I began my recovery. When I say recovery, I mean recovery from agoraphobia. I still have acute anxiety but am pleased to say I haven't had a panic attack in months. But at this time of year it is incredibly hard to go to the shops etc when the crowds are so bad. I have social phobia so have no friends or social life. I don't go out at night and have been single for sometime. I am a work in progress, I am glad you will be seeing the Mental Health Team to access your situation. If I can be of any help, please don't hesitate to contact me..... I am a good listener and have experienced quite a bit in my life,, both bad and good. There has to be hope, their has to be a reason that you want to get better. I find only then does progress begin. Good luck!!

[Traveller73]

Maybe you in a bad routine? And your body is reavting the same every day. Maybe do something different on the way too work? Something nice and enjoyable, a different route to work, a bit of window shopping? A boost juice? Something to look fwd to besides work. Good luck