So Anxious that I Become Physically Sick

[Camden]

I’m having a period of severe anxiety right now because of my rising OCD issues and some drama at work.

Yesterday I was so stressed before going into work, I woke up at 4 a.m. due to an adrenaline rush and felt so sick to my stomach, that I vomited and gagged. I felt better as if I had physically expelled the anxious feeling from my body, but it also felt like I had a stomach virus. I was too wound up to go back to sleep. It’s been a long time since I’ve woken up feeling sick to my stomach due to anxiety.

Last time I was persistently sick after waking up was when I moved away to attend college 3 years ago. I had been doing pretty good since then, but now I can feel myself slipping back into my old ways of dreading what the day is going to bring and letting the anxiety make me dreadfully sick each morning.

 

[triceps]

Just know that you're not alone. I vomit about half of the time after a panic attack. Loss of appetite and nausea are the symptoms that confirm to me that I am very anxious. Glad you're generally doing well and perhaps just recognizing that your episodes are increasing in frequency will keep them to a minimum. Good luck.

 

[imsotired]

oh I'm so sorry I can totally relate to you. it sucks. The things that I remind myself is that the anxiety always passes even if you think it wont. Also what helps me is write down when I have a bad day and also knowing that it will pass in a few days. the app that I use is "mood notes" or if tying doesn't work for you can always write them in a journal. What my therapist tells me is that think about what is in your control and what is isn't. take covid as an example. while I couldn't see my friends, I really took the time to work on myself.
remember to do what is comfortable for your mental health. for me I ended a relationship which was a really good decision of mine!
also try to keep yourself busy with your favourite things eg I do guitar and piano. but of course do virtual meet ups with your friends

also I suggest having a gratitude journal. I got this quote that says "we can always find gratitude in simplicity". Simply put, no matter what we are going through, there is always something to be grateful for. (this is really good advice! )

hope this helps and remember to go on lots of walks- it gets you into a greater headspace

 

[Camden]

oh I'm so sorry I can totally relate to you. it sucks. The things that I remind myself is that the anxiety always passes even if you think it wont. Also what helps me is write down when I have a bad day and also knowing that it will pass in a few days. the app that I use is "mood notes" or if tying doesn't work for you can always write them in a journal. What my therapist tells me is that think about what is in your control and what is isn't. take covid as an example. while I couldn't see my friends, I really took the time to work on myself.
remember to do what is comfortable for your mental health. for me I ended a relationship which was a really good decision of mine!
also try to keep yourself busy with your favourite things eg I do guitar and piano. but of course do virtual meet ups with your friends

also I suggest having a gratitude journal. I got this quote that says "we can always find gratitude in simplicity". Simply put, no matter what we are going through, there is always something to be grateful for. (this is really good advice! )

hope this helps and remember to go on lots of walks- it gets you into a greater headspace

Thank you for your kind words and advice! That's really important to mentally separate things in life that can and cannot be controlled. Also knowing that the anxiety always passes, even when I wake up feeling so terrible some mornings, I must remind myself that it will go away and not weigh me down the rest of the day.

I write in a journal and describe my emotions and things that I react strongly to. It really helps me to process my feelings and acknowledge the specifics that make me feel a certain way. It's very therapeutic for me to write in a journal about what's truly on my mind and how I really feel. I think I experience my emotions at a deeper and more complex level than many others (probably related to my OCD and anxiety.) and it feels great to get everything out on paper.

Walking really helps me to relax as well. Even a short walk through the neighborhood is enough to produce endorphins and make me feel really light and relaxed afterwards.