New, trying to tackle my anxiety

[animaty]

Hey everyone,

So I've only recently accepted that my anxiety is an issue, and I want to be able to tackle it. I'm just really not sure where to begin.

For context, when my anxiety comes, it's in the form of immediately vomiting. My chest tightens up, I start breathing heavily, and then boom. Vomit. Even if there's nothing left to get out. In the worst case I lost a bunch of weight because I couldn't eat for a few weeks. It's also very situational, and largely irrational (ex. getting jealous, getting out of a relationship, etc).

I get so mad at myself when I start throwing up, because it feels like I no longer have control. Then the anxiety cycle continues.

So I'm trying to do something about it. The problem is, I really don't know where to start. There doesn't seem to be any local anxiety groups in my area, and I am in a tighter financial situation so therapy isn't an option at the moment.

Do you have any suggestions for what to do? Any advice is really appreciated, I would love to find even small ways to help work through this.

And I hope I can help you all as well. Thank you, and take care!

[JerseyGirl83]

So sorry to hear you're going through so much! I have never had the vomiting myself, but I have been very ill with panic attacks and uninsured, so I have a few suggestions that may help!

First, there is a book I recommend to anyone who has anxiety or panic attacks and it's by Dr. David Burns and it's called "When Panic Attacks." He also had a book out called "Feeling Good" and "When Panic Attacks" has a lot of the same information, but updated, so I wouldn't suggest reading both since I did. This book may help you understand what's going on with you when you're feeling bad or having irrational fears. It also helps you devise a plan to conquer some of the underlying issues that cause these episodes.

Second, I have just found this forum, but I have had success with getting help on depressionforums and if you google that, it should come right up. Your vomiting is a symptom of a larger underlying problem and education and support are two of the best tools you can arm yourself with to conquer it!

Best of luck!

[Hidden]

I'm so sorry to hear about your situation, many of us have been there. It's rare that i vomit from anxiety but I do get nauseated very easily and honestly just drinking ginger ale or sprite really helps and I also take an ulcer medication. Find a breathing technique that works for you, I use square breathing with is you breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4 and repeat. Also in for 4 hold for 7 out for 8 works. I dont know your religious affiliation but I'm sure you could find a pastor or something that could listen to your situation or there's always crisis hotlines or textlines that can give you someone to talk to. Look into meditation as well, I usually do guided meditations through Youtube. Hopefully some of this helps, best of luck to you!