What causes gagging or dry heaving?

[Rs2win18]

I seem to suffer from gagging attacks, and sometimes start to dry heave and/or choke and cough. It's not usually accompinied by nausea but maybe once in awhile it can be, it's mostly just on it's on it's own. I usually worry about my breathing when I start to feel it coming and can feel myself very tense. It happens most when I feel pressured or nervous or when I have to go somewhere I'm worried about going. I have had Panic attacks with some OCD symptoms before but did very well with treatment. Now these seem to be more limited symptoms but very intense and I don't seem to be able to stop it. It doesn't feel like a panic attack, but more just something causes me to gag or dry heave. I was wondering are those symptoms of anxiety or should I seek another diagnosis, it doesn't seem to be listed in almost any book or information I've seen on Panic/Anxiety. Also is there something could cause this and if so, is there some type of treatment that could help or stop that gagging? It's very distressing and interfers with me doing things. Thanks in advance for the response.

[boyzrtoys]

Well.. My mom was given Zoloft, but i dunno why b/c she's not like really depressed or anything. At times she could be but that is seldom. She never took them and she is ok. Me on the other hand could use some. Well i'm not really sure. What if i were to take the Zoloft? If i were to need it then i would feel better right? And if I felt funny then it means i dont need it? I am scared to go to the doctor and talk about myself b/c what if i get institutionalized? So i'd rather just test the drug. If you really aren't supposed to take it or if there is no chemical imbalance and you take zoloft.. would you feel a high? and if you did need it then would you feel normal? I know what normal feels like b/c that is when I Am the happiest. So, is it ok to take Zoloft to see if i were to really need it? Like to find out for sure if i suffer from depression?

[Blue bossa]

I cannot explain in an email how happy I am to know that I am not the only one out there.  I have just turned 16 years old and for a year now have suffered constant gagging attacks every time I do something social or am very nervous.  A lot of times it even leads to vomitting due to a repeated gagging attack.  It has greatly affected my life and the people around me. I now dont want to do anything I usually do to constant gagging.  But I have a limited control on it.  A peppermint sometimes stalls my gagging and calms me down. Also chewing gum or swishing listerine.  I know its a mental problem because I think myself into it.  If there is any cure for my gagging problem please let me know because it is ruining my life

[Luckypozzo]

Since I was 5 or 6 I remember everytime my family would go somewhere for vaction I would have these gagging attacks. Then when I was 14 I had to dropout of school because of these attacks started to happen almost daily. Now I am 23 and still have these attack. No doctor, I have seen about 30, had any good thing to say about it. They would say just dont eat and u wont throw up, needless to say that didnt work. The only thing that has ever worked is Vicodin. When i was hit by a car, the dr. put me on vicodin, and it was short of a miracle. When I was having an attack i would take a pill, and it would stop within seconds. I have started Zoloft, 3 days ago, I hope it works because I am thinking of stopping college because of this.

[frogfucious]

Im relieved to see that im not the only one with this problem. The gagging feeling usually comes when I am about to do something stressful or something social. First I will feel the gaggingness in my throat and the more i think about it the worst it gets, a vicious cycle. When I give in to it and gag nothing comes out and I will feel better for a bit but then i begin to worry about it coming again and sure enough it does and then i gag, then I worry about gagging non-stop and get more nervous and gag some more. I've had this problem once every few years, lasting from a week to a month but this time its been going on for almost a year. It harsh effects all aspects of my life. Man it sucks...

[frogfucious]

Im relieved to see that im not the only one with this problem. The gagging feeling usually comes when I am about to do something stressful or something social. First I will feel the gaggingness in my throat and the more i think about it the worst it gets, a vicious cycle. When I give in to it and gag nothing comes out and I will feel better for a bit but then i begin to worry about it coming again and sure enough it does and then i gag, then I worry about gagging non-stop and get more nervous and gag some more. I've had this problem once every few years, lasting from a week to a month but this time its been going on for almost a year. It harsh effects all aspects of my life. Man it sucks...

[spidermonkey]

ive had the same problem for at least 8-9 years.  i had the most problems at the dentist and sometimes in sports.  i found that sucking on a tic tac or any candy made it go away but only for a short time.  I have no idea why this happens and it doesnt have to do with what i eat or when i eat.  My best guess is that its stress/anxiety.  I also notice i can work myself into it like others have said.  For me it doesnt happen all the time, but is random.  When i gag it doesnt happen again and goes away, for instance if i run a long distance and gag i dont have the problem for the rest if the day.
I plan on seeing a doctor about it soon, but if anyone finds anything else that helps let me know.