What just happened? :S

[Eternity]

ok so i was sat here quite happily doing awful things to my computer, n suddenly I feel intensely like Im gonna throw up.. it lasts maybe 10 seconds then dissapears, n Im left feeling vaguely nauseas n really REALLY freaked. I wasnt thinking about sickness, I wasnt looking at anything vaguely related, there was no trigger, n this wasnt a panic attack as Id term it- there was no build up atall...


What happened? its happened before but rarely this intensely, Id say Ive been feeling a bit off for the last few days, but lets get real here, I ALWAYS feel off. Ive had maybe one good day in the last fortnight. Ive been taking a lot of anti emetics recently, n yesterday I took 1 tablet of Buspirone (anti panic) because my doctor wanted me to try them out, n absolutely nothing happened.


I feel really shaken, n sick, n SCARED now


Everytime i move I feel a bit nauseas, but I also feelempty.. n hungry.. so I think (hope) what Im experiencing now is more panic than genuine nausea. This isnt hunger related tho cuz I ate maybe 3 or 4hours ago. I think Im starting my period but I never feel sick when Im on, n I havent eaten anything that could hurt me, or been in contact with anyone sick. What justhappend? please help...?

[Eternity]

And another random question (might as well use the same thread)


What exactly do you term a "panic attack"?
I mean, I know what the standard criteria are, but I was calling attacks of feeling very sick when Im not "panic attacks" for years n in my mind they still sort of are. Ive had a fair amount of both kinds n sort of seperate them in my head by thinking "regular panic attack" and "emetophobic panic attack" does anyone else think of them this way?


Err... n Im fine now by the way *points to the origional thread* I thought I would be. Im still freaked though, I HATE when that happens.

[sage]

HI Eternity,


I think that panic attacks can take several forms. The brain and body are producing symptoms to respond to stress or anxiety. For most, this is increased heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, adrenalyn. But for you, and others, your body may be responding to some (even unknown) stress with a wave of nausea. It probably STARTS with some "mild" panic symptom and then switches to nausea SO FAST (thousands of a second) that you don't even realize it. THEN the nausea itself gets you into a feedback loop of panic.


The good news is that once you KNOW this is what it is (and you do know that when that happened the last couple of times, you weren't actually sick) then you can calm it down by soothing yourself. TELL your brain and body that "it's just anxiety" and this will help. Not fix it forever, but it will help.


All the best.

[Eternity]

But something that sudden and intense HAS to be physical.. doesnt it? Could your mind really do that... ? I mean nausea, dizzyness, shaking n all that stuff, can be created, I know that Ive done it, but to create something so incredibly intense.. so incredibly quickly, out of nothing, its like.. I dunno. I just dont feel like its possible. I feel sure there should be some physical explanation.. so sure.. dyou really think this was caused by panic?

[tayda]

But something that sudden and intense HAS to be physical.. doesnt it? Could your mind really do that... ? I mean nausea, dizzyness, shaking n all that stuff, can be created, I know that Ive done it, but to create something so incredibly intense.. so incredibly quickly, out of nothing, its like.. I dunno. I just dont feel like its possible. I feel sure there should be some physical explanation.. so sure.. dyou really think this was caused by panic?

Yes, I checked a book out from the library "It's not all in your head", and I'm only on page 30, but it stated that the body can secrete hormones to produce body responses, and that it's all linked to "fight or flight". When we are in danger, and know it, our bodies produce extra adrenaline and we get a rush. Our hearts pump faster, our breathing is short, and you may feel tightness in the chest. However, the same thing is happening w/ and anxiety attack, except you may not know what the imminent danger is. Panick is the bodies defense mechanism. People have convinced themselves that they have all kinds of diseases and so forth because of anxiety. (I believe it's health anxiety).. anyways, the book states that the symptoms that these people are feeling ARE REAL, but are not linked to any kind of disease. People will visit their doctor for the same symtomsevery month, and eventuallymay seek2nd, 3d,or 4th opinions, only to find that theywill all say "It's in your head". The book states that after seeking professional help, that the first step to healing is accepting that there is nothing "physically" ailing you. I'll keep you updated w/ anything else I read. Just remember that you CAN'T DIE from an anxiety attack, and you won't be harmed from them (except after the fact... I know I'm ALWAYS shaky and scared after one.. b/c they really are REAL to me, and even though I know what it is... the sensations I experience are so traumatic... however, I live every time, and I'm still here. I have good days and bad.) I hope this helped you at all. I can give you the author when I get the book out later if you are interested.

[Eternity]

So theres no physical.. thing that could cause that to happen.. it isnt like this acid reflux or something that people keep disgussing on here.. wait.. *goes to read up*


Oh lord that sounds unpleasant, you poor people. No I certainly dont have THAT.
Oh dear god Im loosing my mind! How can something that feels so real not be? :S

[meercat]

I have experienced those very same waves of nausea that come on in a SHOT, for no reason what-so-ever!!!!! They are horrible, they are real, and they scare the crap outta you!!! I KNOW!!! BUT each and every one i had and still have, over many years, WAS and IS all anxiety attacks!! When they happen, yes im uncomfortable, yes it makes my heart start racing out of fear of v*ing (which i never do), BUT i know what it is and it goes away, and i don't let myself dwell on those attacks anymore. You can do the same :-) You are alright!

[sage]

It's unbelievable, isn't it? Yet the brain is a powerful instrument - and it is to "blame" for producing the symptoms. Interestingly, if you're really sick it would produce the same symptoms. So whether it's your stomach giving the brain the signals, or another part of the brain itself (fear centres) giving the brain the signals, the symptoms will be the same. I hope this makes sense. A short answer is YES it can all "be in your head". Which does NOT mean you're crazy, or "making it up". Just because it's "in your head" doesn't mean it's a simple matter to get it OUT of your head. The brain is very powerful, as I said. It controls every single organ in the body - heart rate, breathing, adrenalyn output (which causes shaking/dizziness), sweating, etc. You wouldn't believe how many people are absolutely convinced they're having a heart attack when there's not a thing wrong with their heart. A proper scan shows the heart is healthy and functioning normally. Yet the panic in the brain causes the very same symptoms as a heart attack.


THE GOOD NEWS about all this is IT'S NOT DANGEROUS. You aren't in any danger. You're not sick. You won't vomit.


All you have to do is jot down the symptoms when it happens and even write some narrative about how it feels. THEN, when it just "goes away" eventually and you are NOT sick, be sure to write that down too. Then the NEXT TIME it happens, you can look at your journal, and actually TELL your own brain to just "stop it", because you KNOW you're in no danger.


(The more times you do this, the more it will "click" - it may not work the first time)


Good luck!

[hollyjean]

Hiya, i had exactly the same thing a week ago! if you look you might be
able to see my thread about it. It happened to me a week ago and i was
fine, im sure you will be ok too *hugs*