How can I control sickness associated with anxiety?

Question

I have severe anxiety issues, and whenever something spikes my anxiety - even if I don't understand why it has spiked - I feel sick. It's frustrating and really unpleasant, because one feeds the other, ie, if I feel anxious and sick, I get anxious about feeling sick - I had an episode a few years back where I literally couldn't keep anything down for weeks. I was a mess. I'm no wiser as to how to control it, it's really getting me down. It's so sensitive, I can be out in a restaurant and if a certain topic of conversation arises, I lose my appetite completely and cannot eat anymore, until about an hour or so later. I don't create an issue or anything, but it's awful.
Any pointers?

I'm on a waiting list for therapy - can't afford private. Been on the list for almost three years now.

Answer 1

FInd a health care professional that you can trust. Just don't let them give you a pill and send you away. Medication will help, but start with 'talking' therapy. You obvious understand that you know you have a problem and that's a huge start in helping yourself. Avoid situations you're uncomfortable in (I hate crowds for example, I hate eating out in public). I you don't like doing it, don't and don't be afraid to explain to people. It's real. Talk with your family about this, keep a diary about the trigger points. Find something that helps you (i.e., creative stuff?)

Answer 2

I was diagnosed with SAD a few years ago. And I refused to take any medication. I feel like I've pretty much overcome it today. The solution for me, and what my doctor gave to me, was to just dive in head first. I had a serious problem with only CERTAIN people, and meeting new people. It turned out that the problem for me was the dread of meeting people (going to a party, first day of school, social events). It was always prior to the social interaction I would have my greatest anxiety. Once I dived right in, and overcame that, I found that I just acted rather natural in the situation. I still feel rather paranoid in a lot of situations, and it sits at the back of my mind all the time, but I make a conscious effort constantly to master my own anxiety. Basically, the method that worked for me were all these little mini-experiments I did for myself. What was it that I was so afraid of? Rejection. I started small, and moved into new waters, where I put myself in situations where I was terrified of being rejected. And consciously put my fears to the test. And after the ordeal, I would realize that my own fears and prior interpretations were unfounded and had no base on real evidence. All in all, what I used was a form of cognitive-behavior therapy (see my source). I didn't change the chemicals in my brain, but I changed my way of thinking, and my interpretations of events and people. It's a very conscious effort you have to make. THOUGH, in retrospect (and even today) I definitely would have benefited more, and my treatment probably would have been that much more effective with some medication, to help hinder my own anxiety. See a doctor, please. He'll be able to show you the steps to all of this. Bring your fiancee if you need. And don't be afraid to get medication. There is quite a large stigma with medications, but they have there uses. Good luck. And just try to relax. :)

Answer 3

Have you been getting any therapy?I started having panic attacks a few years ago which pretty much ruined my life as I knew it.I'm getting some therapy and it helps.I'm still not the same person and might not ever be but i'm learning to deal with it much better.I know it's a scarey thing and it's hard to fight when you can't pinpoint what it is thats causing it.Just know your not alone.There are lots of people that are affected by some form or another.Hang in there and please get some professional help.

Answer 4

im goin through the same thing right now. i even think that sometimes i have acid reflux disease cause my anxiety would make me lose appetite. so i d eat really small portions during my rare "windows of hunger"

if im at home or not busy i find that cardio helps alot for me. simply jogging can pump the stress out.

the hard part is when youre stuck at work or at a public place and really cant just up and leave. thats when i order a vodka tonic. the carbonation and no sugars helps. liquids i can keep down. food i cant.

Answer 5

I have anxiety issues with similar problems, especially like when you mention about being at dinner and losing your appetite. I always order a glass of lemonade or water with dinner and sip it slowly, focusing on the drink til I can get my self under control and then I keep eating my dinner slowly and in small pieces, trying to focus on the food and enjoy the sensation of the meal as usually the conversation will have quickly moved on from my 'trigger' so speak.

Answer 6

I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.

Joe Barry writes exactly how I think. The examples are perfectly described. And the method is genius. I recommend this book and thanks Joe Barry for writing it. It changes your life

Answer 7

The number one problem with anxiety is environment.
Find a place where you are at ease.
And most of all when you are stressed out, try not to constantly think about it. Anxiety comes from within yourself, and you have the power to stop it.
Good luck.

Answer 8

You need to learn to control your anxiety instead of worrying about controlling anxiety symptoms. See a psychologist and possibly a psychiatrist/GP for medications.

Answer 9

Homeopathic Remedies for Anxiety / Panic Attacks / Stress / Depression(Bereavment) / Mood Swings (Totally safe, without any side effects or complications of any sort) :-

ANXIETY / PANIC ATTACKS & STRESS :-

Sudden with restlessness and fear of death, Panic Attacks, Aconite 30X or 200X,1/2 hourly (3 Doses)

Prolonged with periodic and panic attacks Arsenic Alb.200X, 4 hourly (3 Doses)

With fainting spells; profuse sweating; worse in the morning Sulphur 30X or 200X 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Makes patient walk fast; due to anticipation Argentum Nit 200X, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Worse lying in bed and closing the eyes Carbo Veg 30X or 200X, 4 hourly (6 Doses)

Anxiety aggravated by upward or downward motion; going in an elevator; worse till 11 P.M, Borax 200X or 1M, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxious about business even when seriously ill Bryonia Alba 200X 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Full of apprehensions in the evening Causticum 200X, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety and fears in the evening with restlessness and palpitation Calcarea Carb.200X or 1M, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety worse while lying still. Sad music ameliorates the complaints Manganum Acet 200X 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety due to fright, fear,exciting news; stage fright; worse while appearing for examination or interview etc Gelsemium 30X or 200X 3 hourly (6 Doses)

Mood Swings, Anxiety due to grief or shock in the subconscious mind Ignatia 200X or 1M, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety; better after eating Anacardium Or 30X, 4 hourly.

DEPRESSION & GRIEF(Bereavement) :-

Severe shock due to sudden death of loved ones; restlessness, anxiety and fear Aconite 200X. 10 min (3 Doses)

Prolonged mournings; cannot overcome the loss of loved ones and/or Mood Swings. Ignatia 1M or 10M, 6 hourly (3 Doses)

When the grief is in the conscious mind; patient weeps; does not like sympathy Natrum Mur.200X or 1M, 6 hourly (3 Doses)

For chronic grief and indignation Staphysagria 200X or 1M, weekly (3 Doses)

Depression with suicidal thoughts feeling of worthlessness, Aurum Met 30X, three times a day half hour before meals.


Take the remedy which is similar to your symptoms. No side effects or complications if taken as directed, please do not exceed the given dosage and under any circumstances do not try to mix any remedies and avoid Chocolates, Mints, Coffee, Red Meat, Alcoholic and Carbonated drinks, Spicy Rich Food while taking any Homeopathic remedies, and keep the medicines away from direct sunlight, heat strong smells and perfumes and do not store them in the fridge.
Curing without any side effects or Complications Thats the Beauty of Homeopathic Medicine (Cures Par Excellence)

Take Care and God Bless you.

Answer 10

See anxiety treatments, at http://www.ezy-build.net. (.net.nz/~shaneris) on page 6. Make a list of those topics, so other people will know to avoid them, when dining with you.