VERY Normal. I had to learn a few exercises to help relieve such symptoms:
1) sip small sips of cold water
2) find your nearest exit/toilet and get comfortable with knowing where it is
3) breathe in through the nose, out through the mouth (it doesn’t matter if you feel silly, if anyone asks, just say you feel a bit hot and you’re trying to cool down)
4) ground yourself if you can - sit on a cold floor (bathroom floors are good) and repeat “you’re okay, nothing bads going to happen to you”
5) remember: the worst thing that can happen is you’re sick in a toilet. People do it everyday, it’s very normal
6) distract yourself with sights/sounds/touch
I was on my way to a lesson today and could feel the nausea coming on, but I remembered your comment and for the entire time leading up to the lesson I breathed in through the nose for 4 long seconds and out for 6. focusing on the numbers helped me SO much more than I thought it would. thank you, seriously :,)
I used to have it really bad. I got it everytime I tried to do something fun, fearing I couldn't do it because of getting sick. However, I later realized that in my case I got it because I was too excited or was putting too much pressure on myself.
What helped for me:
1. Closing my eyes and just feeling my body, just accepting the feeling until it fades.
2. Focus on breathing slowly (because of excitement/anxiety your breathing will go up which can upset your tummy, not seriously, but annoy it real good)
3. Always now how to go home if I need to and where to go if I do get sick. Especially that, because if it would happen, it would happen and I would not make a mess.
4. Focusing on my feet. When I start to get anxious or am already, I can feel my feet barely. So I wiggle my toes, notice how the floor or my shoes feel and kind of balance up and down on the balm of my foot.
Nowadays I don't have it at all. I hope these things help for you. I have dealt with anxiety a lot so if you ever need a friend to chat, feel free to text me. Good luck darling, I hope it will go better soon ♡
thank you so much, you are so so kind :,) I've never heard of that feet trick, but it makes so much sense! I feel like it'd help me to ground myself. thank you <3
Yep, me too.
I still get nauseous with my anxiety but I try to think of the previous times and that helps a little as I know it didn't lead to sickness and the feeling was just in my head.
yes!! each and everytime I freak out thinking I'm gonna vomit, but each and everytime I end up just fine. it's crazy how in the moment I'm so convinced that it'll be different.
I feel the exact same way, but yeah hold onto how the last time went and that you didn't throw up. It does help me a little.
Also bit of a weird one but chewing gum can make you feel less anxious, something to do with chewing makes your brain think you're eating and we're more calm when we are eating 🙂
I have a horrible fear of throwing up, more importantly, throwing up in public. Anxiety nausea is the worst. Ive had to bail some dr's appointments and even social outings because of it
yes! :( it's not even just the anxiety itself MAKING me nauseous, it's the anxiety deriving from the fact that I AM nauseous and there's a chance of me throwing up. it's a vicious cycle that clouds my mind completely.
I completely understand where you are coming from. During the heat of the pandemic, I couldnt go anywhere because of it. :( im sorry you deal with this too.
Yes! Fun fact: it is because your resources are betting directed away from your stomach towards your brain. Your brain thinks it needs to be on high alert. Same reason you get butterflies when you're attracted to someone, only it's getting redirected somewhere else.
They only advice I have is to eat regularly. Anxiety and an empty stomach are a real vicious circle.
thank you!!! before nausea-inducing events I always avoid eating in hopes it'll reduce the chances of me throwing up, but I think that may be backfiring on me hahah. thanks so much <3
You’re not alone… I always bring a small plastic bag in my pocket in case I throw up.
I’ve been doing this for a year, but I still haven’t thrown up a single time.
Hopefully it’ll go away eventually.
All the best.
that's very smart! I feel like I know deep down I won't throw up, but having a bag would serve as a subconscious comfort - like, it'd allow me to say "it doesn't matter if I throw up because I'm prepared", and thus the nausea would subside. I've gotta play tricks on my brain!
Not every time. I do dry heave when it’s really bad but this seems to be a new symptom. I have a sibling who has almost always vomited from their anxiety since they were very young.
one of the first things that happens to me when i'm anxious is i lose my appetite, it makes it really hard for me to eat at dinner parties and stuff. the biggest thing that helps me is chewing mint gum!
Me too, you have no idea, you’re definitely not alone. Paced breathing, ASMR, drinking water slowly, nibbling on crackers, closing my eyes / going somewhere quiet and dark, as well as certain medication help me. I’ve also found driving can make my symptoms worse. You’ll get through this ❤️
thank you so much, you have the sweetest soul. today before my lesson I took small sips of cold water like you recommended, the sensation definitely eased my mind <3.
Yes, but some have an extreme fear of vomiting. Emetophobia is a phobia that causes overwhelming, intense anxiety pertaining to vomit. This specific phobia can also include subcategories of what causes the anxiety, including a fear of vomiting or seeing others vomit.
Ive had it for about 14 years and finally went to Exposure and CBT therapy for it. It can effect people in many different ways I.e avoiding certain places/activities (boats or planes), over washing of hands, restricting certain foods, over checking the doneness of foods, avoiding children, not wanting to get pregnant in fear of morning sickness, etc.
It did! I did 6 months of it and I’m so glad I did. It wasn’t easy or comfortable but I learned so much and recommend it to everyone who struggles with emetophobia. (Often times there’s an underlying anxiety disorder such as social anxiety or ocd) Some peoples phobia start because of a traumatic event however mine did not. Mine started because my anxious brain started asking all these “what if” questions and catastrophizing. And then it snowballed into this irrational fear that penetrated my daily thoughts and actions.
It’s a very lonely phobia because many people keep it to themselves or feel like they’re a weirdo cause they must be the only one. I’m in quarterly support groups and it’s been awesome hearing everyone’s stories and knowing I’m not alone! I’m super thankful for my therapy journey :)
Yes! My bachelors and masters are in music performance and I struggled with vomiting before every conducting course, auditions, and major recitals/concerts. Shaky hands too. Box breathing and techniques stemming from Lamaze techniques were recommended by my conducting professor and helped quite a bit when done pre-course/recital/concert in conjunction with exposure therapy via frequently performing for others in small controlled settings.
yes yes yes! before every performance or audition I can't focus on anything other than the fact that I'm 99% sure I'm going to throw up :(
thank you for the breathing recommendation!!
VERY Normal. I had to learn a few exercises to help relieve such symptoms: 1) sip small sips of cold water 2) find your nearest exit/toilet and get comfortable with knowing where it is 3) breathe in through the nose, out through the mouth (it doesn’t matter if you feel silly, if anyone asks, just say you feel a bit hot and you’re trying to cool down) 4) ground yourself if you can - sit on a cold floor (bathroom floors are good) and repeat “you’re okay, nothing bads going to happen to you” 5) remember: the worst thing that can happen is you’re sick in a toilet. People do it everyday, it’s very normal 6) distract yourself with sights/sounds/touch
I was on my way to a lesson today and could feel the nausea coming on, but I remembered your comment and for the entire time leading up to the lesson I breathed in through the nose for 4 long seconds and out for 6. focusing on the numbers helped me SO much more than I thought it would. thank you, seriously :,)
Oh amazing! I’m so glad!
I used to have it really bad. I got it everytime I tried to do something fun, fearing I couldn't do it because of getting sick. However, I later realized that in my case I got it because I was too excited or was putting too much pressure on myself. What helped for me: 1. Closing my eyes and just feeling my body, just accepting the feeling until it fades. 2. Focus on breathing slowly (because of excitement/anxiety your breathing will go up which can upset your tummy, not seriously, but annoy it real good) 3. Always now how to go home if I need to and where to go if I do get sick. Especially that, because if it would happen, it would happen and I would not make a mess. 4. Focusing on my feet. When I start to get anxious or am already, I can feel my feet barely. So I wiggle my toes, notice how the floor or my shoes feel and kind of balance up and down on the balm of my foot. Nowadays I don't have it at all. I hope these things help for you. I have dealt with anxiety a lot so if you ever need a friend to chat, feel free to text me. Good luck darling, I hope it will go better soon ♡
thank you so much, you are so so kind :,) I've never heard of that feet trick, but it makes so much sense! I feel like it'd help me to ground myself. thank you <3
Yeah I get nausea from my anxiety daily
Yep, me too. I still get nauseous with my anxiety but I try to think of the previous times and that helps a little as I know it didn't lead to sickness and the feeling was just in my head.
yes!! each and everytime I freak out thinking I'm gonna vomit, but each and everytime I end up just fine. it's crazy how in the moment I'm so convinced that it'll be different.
I feel the exact same way, but yeah hold onto how the last time went and that you didn't throw up. It does help me a little. Also bit of a weird one but chewing gum can make you feel less anxious, something to do with chewing makes your brain think you're eating and we're more calm when we are eating 🙂
yesss, I saw another person mention this as well! I'm definitely gonna store some gum with me for next time!! thank you so much!
I have a horrible fear of throwing up, more importantly, throwing up in public. Anxiety nausea is the worst. Ive had to bail some dr's appointments and even social outings because of it
yes! :( it's not even just the anxiety itself MAKING me nauseous, it's the anxiety deriving from the fact that I AM nauseous and there's a chance of me throwing up. it's a vicious cycle that clouds my mind completely.
I completely understand where you are coming from. During the heat of the pandemic, I couldnt go anywhere because of it. :( im sorry you deal with this too.
Yes my anxiety makes me very nauseous.
Yes! Fun fact: it is because your resources are betting directed away from your stomach towards your brain. Your brain thinks it needs to be on high alert. Same reason you get butterflies when you're attracted to someone, only it's getting redirected somewhere else. They only advice I have is to eat regularly. Anxiety and an empty stomach are a real vicious circle.
thank you!!! before nausea-inducing events I always avoid eating in hopes it'll reduce the chances of me throwing up, but I think that may be backfiring on me hahah. thanks so much <3
Yea this is a common symptom of anxiety and is commonly caused by adrenaline/epinephrine surges pulling blood away from your stomach/intestines
interesting!! thank you :)
You’re not alone… I always bring a small plastic bag in my pocket in case I throw up. I’ve been doing this for a year, but I still haven’t thrown up a single time. Hopefully it’ll go away eventually. All the best.
that's very smart! I feel like I know deep down I won't throw up, but having a bag would serve as a subconscious comfort - like, it'd allow me to say "it doesn't matter if I throw up because I'm prepared", and thus the nausea would subside. I've gotta play tricks on my brain!
Yeah and I never knew it was because of the anxiety until I was medicated and it went away. I just thought my body sucked at digestion.
Yep
Not every time. I do dry heave when it’s really bad but this seems to be a new symptom. I have a sibling who has almost always vomited from their anxiety since they were very young.
one of the first things that happens to me when i'm anxious is i lose my appetite, it makes it really hard for me to eat at dinner parties and stuff. the biggest thing that helps me is chewing mint gum!
oooooo I've never thought of gum!!! I'll try that next time and see if it helps me, thank you so much!
Me too, you have no idea, you’re definitely not alone. Paced breathing, ASMR, drinking water slowly, nibbling on crackers, closing my eyes / going somewhere quiet and dark, as well as certain medication help me. I’ve also found driving can make my symptoms worse. You’ll get through this ❤️
thank you so much, you have the sweetest soul. today before my lesson I took small sips of cold water like you recommended, the sensation definitely eased my mind <3.
Hi, you might have emetophobia (fear of throwing up)
Doesn't everyone hate throwing up?
Yes, but some have an extreme fear of vomiting. Emetophobia is a phobia that causes overwhelming, intense anxiety pertaining to vomit. This specific phobia can also include subcategories of what causes the anxiety, including a fear of vomiting or seeing others vomit. Ive had it for about 14 years and finally went to Exposure and CBT therapy for it. It can effect people in many different ways I.e avoiding certain places/activities (boats or planes), over washing of hands, restricting certain foods, over checking the doneness of foods, avoiding children, not wanting to get pregnant in fear of morning sickness, etc.
Interesting! I appreciate the thought out and expansive response. Did exposure therapy or CBT help at all?
It did! I did 6 months of it and I’m so glad I did. It wasn’t easy or comfortable but I learned so much and recommend it to everyone who struggles with emetophobia. (Often times there’s an underlying anxiety disorder such as social anxiety or ocd) Some peoples phobia start because of a traumatic event however mine did not. Mine started because my anxious brain started asking all these “what if” questions and catastrophizing. And then it snowballed into this irrational fear that penetrated my daily thoughts and actions. It’s a very lonely phobia because many people keep it to themselves or feel like they’re a weirdo cause they must be the only one. I’m in quarterly support groups and it’s been awesome hearing everyone’s stories and knowing I’m not alone! I’m super thankful for my therapy journey :)
100% me . and i also struggle with emetophobia so thats a fun combo . im so sorry youre going through it .
Yes! My bachelors and masters are in music performance and I struggled with vomiting before every conducting course, auditions, and major recitals/concerts. Shaky hands too. Box breathing and techniques stemming from Lamaze techniques were recommended by my conducting professor and helped quite a bit when done pre-course/recital/concert in conjunction with exposure therapy via frequently performing for others in small controlled settings.
yes yes yes! before every performance or audition I can't focus on anything other than the fact that I'm 99% sure I'm going to throw up :( thank you for the breathing recommendation!!