Anxiety about sickness

[pipa3]

So, I had my first anxiety attack about 2 years ago?? I ended up throwing up because I got so nervous. Last year it got worse when I started to feel very ill. I would have the worst pains in my abdomen and I would feel nauseous and start throwing up. I went to several doctors and got tests done on me. They all told me it was probably just from my anxiety. All the tests came back saying I had nothing wrong with me. It had gotten so bad that I wouldn't be able to eat. I've lost a significant amount of weight from this. Over the summer I started to feel a little bit better but now that school has started up again I am back to how I was. Last night I felt such bad abdomen pains I was in tears and couldn't sleep because my anxiety was so bad. I'm really worried. Has anyone else had these problems??

[20Voices]

If it started again when you went back to school, then you need look at why it started again.

What worries you about school? My niece had real problems which made her ill when she was at school and it turned out she was being bullied, when she got that all sorted out she started to become a confident and happy girl again.

So be honest with yourself about what is bothering you about school. Speaking to someone you trust about what is happening will help you, because they may be able to offer you advise or support.

I hope you can get this issue resolved.

Take care.

[pipa3 in reply to 20Voices]

Thank you for the advice!! I think what makes me anxious about school is change, having to face life and grow up, social activities and all of the homework and the fear I won't get it done on time.

[estheryang in reply to pipa3]

I have issues with stressful academic works. Have you talked with your professors about your concerns? It helps me a lot when I reached out for help and even get accommodations from SDAC allowing me to have flexible deadlines.

[pipa3 in reply to estheryang]

I have in the past but this year I wasn't able to get any. I'm doing ok so far though, I've been getting all of the work in. I just get stressed about it.

[Stopmycrazy in reply to pipa3]

Sending love your way!! We have elementary kids stressing about tests, some of them have gig blood pressure only while in school. You are not alone.

[20Voices in reply to pipa3]

Maybe you are putting too much pressure on yourself. I know I did when I was at school and college.

Have you set goals for what your priorities are for your school year?

It may help you to have a list of priorities and from that list you can them workout a time table for homework/study times, which evenings are free for social activities and also which times/evenings you are going to spend on relaxing activities.

You can turn the anxieties you feel into a positive by looking at all you are going to be learning, all the friends you are going to meet and achieving your goals so you can have a great future.

Those butterflies that you get in your stomach when you think of the future doesn't have the be created from anxiety, it could be excitement for the future.

Have you looked to see what other help is available for students in your area? Check the noticeboards and anywhere else where information is left for students for leaflets and also do a search on the internet.

I'd also suggest some form of relaxation exercise each day. 10 minutes is all you need and there is various things you can do, from a stretching routine when you get out of bed in the morning to breathing exercises.

Remember that you can control your future and you still get to have fun when you grow up. In 2012 I was lucky to be at the Paralympics in London as a coach for the British paralympic archery team. I was and still am a volunteer coach. All my working life I have worked to pay for my archery as a competitive archer and I also trained to be a coach. I have traveled on holidays and with my archery both as an archer and also as a coach. I had no idea that a hobby I took up a college just to get out of the house would be such an experience.

I wish someone had taught me about relaxation and coping techniques when I was a school or even in college as I now know it would have helped me alot.

You can do this, don't be scared of the future. Work out what you need to do to embrace it.

If you need any help with planning or goal setting please let me know. I would be happy to send you some tips or answer questions.

Take care.

[pipa3 in reply to 20Voices]

Thank you so much for the advice!! I did some breathing exercises last night and this morning and it calmed me down a bit! That's really cool that you get to do something you love! I'll definitely try to get more organized with my studies!

[20Voices in reply to pipa3]

If you need different exercises then let me know. I was watching a Ted Talks video last night and the presenter was saying that a lot of people dive right into doing meditation when they should really start with simple breathing exercises and work up from there.

I hadn't really thought about it but that is what I have done. I started with breathing exercise, then moved on to try some other breathing exercises, then some meditation exercises and I am now using a method called the 6 Phase Mediation. I trusted myself to let me know when it was time to move up the exercises.

I was always a really tense person, but when I was getting my feet checked at the podiatrist last week she was able to move my foot and ankle without me offering any resistance or preempting her moves. That is a really big plus for me as it let me know that I am feeling more relaxed.

Take care and good luck with your studying.

[pipa3 in reply to 20Voices]

Thank you! It's really nice that you've been able to find the right exercises for you! I'd love to try some new ones, if you have any suggestions could you let me know?

[Sandia]

I have physical symptoms from my anxiety. I have horrible stomach issues and heart palpitations. I also get headaches and feel like I have tunnel vision. I feel your pain, it sux.

[pipa3 in reply to Sandia]

I'm sorry to hear that! I'm hoping you feel much better soon! I might go to therapy for the first time in a few days and may try out some medications. If you'd like I'll keep you updated on how it goes and maybe the same thing might work for you!

[Sandia in reply to pipa3]

Thank you, I would defiantly like to know if you find something that works. We can all learn and try and help each other through this. 💗

[pipa3 in reply to Sandia]

Yeah!! Alright, I'll keep you updated. I hope I can get an appointment with a therapist soon.