Anxiety Relapse

[happyhannah31]

Okay, so I am new here and am not sure how much information to supply, so here I go:

*Background* I am 17 year old girl, diagnosed with Anxiety officially when I was about 6, and have been on Paxil all of my life since then. I am currently taking 60 mg. My anxiety was at the time focused on the school lunch room and throw up. I wouldn't eat in my school at all, in a room with anyone eating except me, and if anyone ever mentioned feeling sick I would panic that they would throw up. We made as much progress as possible but my parents (still new to a child with these problems) resorted to medication. And then I was fine, happy happy, until about 2010 when I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease and am still sick with it now. And my main symptom with Lyme's is that I constantly feel nauseas and sick (almost like morning sickness). I was home schooled for a year and they messed with my paxil and now I have anxiety again (not AS extreme though).

Anyways, if you're still with me, here is my problem: whenever I have to go anywhere (without my family) I get extremely nervous and panicky. I am scared that I will be out and feel sick, because I have several times, and no one likes to feel sick. And the farther away from my mom (my escape), the more afraid I am. And if the activity is involved with food I get worse (which almost everything does), because food is associated with feeling sick and not wanting to be around food. I have gotten even better with this, but things have recently changed...

About two weeks ago I started feeling really crappy, and I have been talking to this boy who I really like (a first for me). I went to his sisters quince and was super nervous but went and we got to talk and then we went to the movies and he came to church with my family which were relatively "safe" activities. But now he invited me to his church and then a party with him and his family and it's like a 35 min away and I would be "with them" so I can't be in control when I leave and where I go and if I'm getting food and stuff. I'm going to try and go but I'm very anxious. He also invited mento go to Hershey park in december with his family for his birthday, and I'm freaking out! Because, I will probably feel sick and then have to ride rides which will make me feel worse and then I will feel really sick and then they'll be all like "let's go get dinner" so I will have to sit in a room full of food while I feel nauseas and it will make it worse and it will be far away so I can't just leave without ruining the whole night. And I WANT to go, but I'm also afraid to go. And if I say no he will probably not like me. Who wants a girlfriend who is afraid to go anywhere and always cancels?! :( help?

[j17c27]

Hi, I want you to know that i have the SAME fear as you!! Its called emetophobia, or the fear of throwing up.  Ive had it since i was 2.  Anxiety causes nausea, thats probably why you are so nauseas all the time.  Your brain and stomach are very closely linked becuase there are 2 places in your body where you have braincells and that is your stomach and your brain. That also explains "butterflies" in your stomach when you get nervous or excited.  So when you get anxiety, it is the most common symptom to get nauseas too.  What ***** about what we have (emetophobia) is that nausea triggers anxiety just like anxiety triggers nausea, so its a never-ending cycle of pretty much horror haha.  Have you tried phsycotherapy? They help teach you how to deal with a certain phobia, so it could really help you.
About this guy, does he know about your anxiety? It may help if he knows because if he likes you, which it sounds like he does, he will support and help you! Maybe before going on the outings, take a motion sickness pill or any anti-nausea pill.  See a psychiatrist about this.  My psychiatrist perscribed me some pill to take as needed that helps anxiety, but also is perscribed to help nausea.  So it does both.  It really helps me a lot.  Also, maybe bring with you a mug of chamomile-mint tea.  The chamomile helps ease anxiety and peppermint eases nausea.  I also know people who, when they get nauseas, put peppermint abstract under their noses because the smell eases stomachs.  I use peppermint chapstick.  And chew peppermint gum whenever Im nauseas and it helps.  Know you arent alone, and try and go with him to at least one of those things, it will be a good step for you to take and i bet you will have fun and you will be so proud of yourself when you get through it.  It sounds like he likes you cause he invites you to all these things! So dont worry about him not likeing you, im sure he does

[mandapanda928]

Off of reading this I think that if he truly likes you which I'm sure he does, that you should explain to him what is going on with you, because going somewhere and making yourself feel sick to please him isn't the greatest idea . It is truly great that you want to go but i understand your other side of it completely. Have you talked to him about the illness you have, or your anxiety? Because putting you in front of a lot of people, and rides, and dinners, is a huge step , and if i were you I would take little steps first just to see how you do, and if you start getting comfortable then start taking bigger ones, but your health needs to come first and i think he needs to know so he can understand. Because you are not one of those girls that is afraid to go anywhere and always cancels, your reasons for this are not excuses they are a fact and an illness you struggle with , that is not your fault.