Stress Center Peer Support

ok my anxiety has gotten worse over the last couple years and alota of it had to do with my feeling sick all the time, nauseous actually. sometimes i throw up and its embarrassing and i think its gona happen all the time so i avoid social situations and when i do go somewhere i freak out before hand and feel like im gona be sick while im there, cigarrettes help alot for some reason but i dont wana be dependent on them to make me feel better.this happens all the time i just wana be able to have a normal life and go out without feeling like this.ive been to doctors and theyve done tons of tests and cant really find anything physically wrong so i guess its all in my head, i dont kno. hopefully il be able to get back on meds for anxiety soon tho, but sumtimes they just dont work. id love to know how this program has worked for others and if you think this might help my situation

White Trash Beautiful(interesting username!),
Welcome to the club! Many many many of us thought we were sick in some way and were totally mystified to find out there was nothing physically wrong. I spent a year vomiting at the drop of a hat a long time ago, and the doctors couldn't find anything wrong. It never occurred to me that I was doing this to myself. The mind is a powerful tool, and it can work against us as well as for us.

I'm not finished with the program (week 9) but I can tell you that I see little improvements every day. This doesn't mean I'm dancing a jig every day, in fact, mornings are hardest for me, but you can read a lot of postings from people who have made it to the other side and are cheering for those of us still trying.

I have antianxiety meds that I take when I am really out of control, but I have found that I can't focus on my feelings when the meds mask them. So the meds are a temporary help while I get my act together. Try not to look on them as anything more than another tool for your toolbox of life. You won't need them forever. You said cigarettes make you feel better. That's probably partially because you breathe deeply when you smoke. Try it without a butt and see if it still helps.

The program focuses on the cause of the problems, not the symptoms like medication does. That's why I think it works when other things don't. Don't be surprised if you get anxious about it sometimes. You're facing your fears, and that's scary. There will still be bad days, but you learn how to navigate them, and when you learn how to slow your breathing and make yourself calmer, I bet that nausea will subside. Good luck, and remember there are a lot of us here to talk to who have "been there, done that."
Leslie