Can constant nausea be caused by anxiety?

[emilylouisex1]

I've been feeling really really sick like I'm going to vomit for about a month on and off now, for the past few days it's been constant and I have a fear of being sick so it's really playing on my anxiety! I did see doctor about this but they put it down to ibs???? Not sure how feeling sick is related to ibs, evidently I am depressed, and anxious, could that cause constant nausea? It's really affecting my day to day and makes me want to stay in bed :( please no mean comments, im really down lately

Yes definitely. In fact nausea is the most prominent symptom I have with a flare up of anxiety, and it be awful and last for weeks so I do sympathise. Are you having any treatment for anxiety/depression? In the meantime there are some great meditations for anxiety on you tube that really do help.

Thank you for responding, I was prescribed citalopram two weeks ago as I told the doctor I couldn't cope with the anxiety anymore I was having panic attacks, thing is because I feel so incredibly sick all the time I'm scared to take the tablet incase I genuinely vomit, it's an endless cycle. I keep telling myself il start in the evening to try and reduce any side effects but when it comes to starting the tablet I feel so scared and don't end up doing it :(

Yea I suffer with emetophobia too, it's debilitating.
Nausea is very common with anxiety. I feel like my brain is out to get me sometimes.
Thing is though, I know deep down the nausea is down to anxiety so I can control it somewhat.

You need to take the antidepressants. You're going to have be brave there.
I'd also seek some therapy from someone who really knows what they're talking about.
I recommend Michelle Johnson and the Thrive Programme.
Follow emetophobia free on Instagram for some tips at least.

Thank you, sorry to hear you're going through the same thing! Admittedly I have always had anxiety but for the past few months it's definitely got out of control, il have a cry before I sleep and I don't even know why I'm crying! Just feel down. It amazes me that anxiety can cause me to feel like I'm going to vomit I've never had this with it before but as I said it's very out of control lately so it does make me wonder

Citalopram itself can cause nausea. It can also make anxiety worse initially, but persevere and it will get better I promise.

Oops sorry OP didn't read your update properly
Ignore me.

If you're feeling down generally, citalopram will help with that and give you a leg up.
Also, the last response isn't helpful to read for an emetophobia sufferer. I was on citalopram on and off for years and not once did it make me feel nauseous or vomit. It's unlikely put it that way.

Yes definitely. I used to wake up feeling sick during bad spells of anxiety. Really lost my appetite and generally felt crap.

Anxiety always plays havoc with my stomach too. Then I get anxious about going out and getting caught short in public when there's no loo. It's truly is a vicious cycle and I find it much more debilitating than the breathing/panic issues that an anxiety attack brings on. I can control them but I feel like I have less control over my bowels or being sick. I wish more people would discuss these symptoms as it really does boil down to fight or flight response.

Honestly my gut is fine, it's just the sick feeling! I literally am starting to get to the point where I am terrified of leaving the house incase I vomit, keeping busy and getting fresh air does help which leads me more to think it is anxiety but wow, it is truly
horrific

yes definitely can be. And I get nausea in the two weeks leading up to my period usually as well, in case that's a factor.

I'm on my period currently, I'm just concerned because it's been going on for a month, I've got anxiety and depression but worried it's not that and something else, just want it gone

Could it be low blood sugar? Do you take medication without eating some thing? Both of those things can give me nausea.

Not low blood sugar, I've been checked for diabetes and things, even when I eat I feel sick & not taking any medication at present

That's ok! I was feeling sick anyway but scared to take it as I know sickness is a side effect and I feel sick all the time 😭

Does anyone have remedies for nausea? I keep feeling the need to gag, it's genuinely horrible

Try ice chips for the nausea

100%, in fact during my period of debilitating anxiety (5 weeks signed off) I lost over a stone from the constant stomach pain.
Fluoxetine saved me but the first few weeks on it were horrible.

Try ginger and/or mint tea.

I take prochlorperazine for sickness. Works very well.

I haven't got stomach pain though it's just feeling like I'm going to vomit :(

Oooooo I have ice cubes in the freezer!

I've got ginger tea il try that!

Now I'm really worried, I woke up at 3am this morning retching!!! I didn't vomit but I literally felt it in my throat like it needed to come out thus causing panic attack for me, I managed to get to sleep and now I'm up again with hot flashes feeling like I'm going to vomit. I just struggle to believe this could be anxiety! I am emetophobic and this is a lot! Seriously :(

It 100% could be down to anxiety because I've been there. Thats not to say it isn't something else, but it definitely could be the anxiety.

I'm wondering whether it's the fear of starting the medication thats made you feel like this? You've told yourself that while you feel like this you can't start the medication. You have a fear of starting the medication so your body has perceived this as a threat, and therefore the symptoms continue. Just a thought.

3am by the way is prime time for waking if you suffer from anxiety. You are in fight or flight. Cortisol is unregulated so levels start to rise at this time waking you early instead of normal 7-8am. High cortisol levels can also cause nausea.