Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

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Anxiety-Induced Gagging

StephPoe
StephPoe

This is something I've been dealing with ever since I was in highschool, it doesn't happen often and sometimes it happens almost everyday. I figure my triggers are when I am having problems in my relationship or something that makes me super nervous I can't control it. I will be having a tense conversation with my partner and I have to literally stop him so I can run to the bathroom and gag. It's happened in airports and in school, but mostly when I'm having difficult conversations which is the worst because I can never have a serious conversation without interrupting the other person. I never hear about others having this anxiety symptom and im trying to figure out how to stop it....it will happen randomly and the first time it happened was my freshman year of highschool, im 25 now. 

hyperpgal
hyperpgal
I've had that-first it was nausea and retching--but then it turned into just retching or gagging--as my anxiety lowered-so did the problem--it also helped to drink water when I felt it coming on--and eating peppermint altoids. I think they are so strong they become a distraction.
arfie
arfie
Hello Steph. Welcome to DS.

Yup, I get this. I believe mine is caused by clenching muscles in my throat. Which muscle sets I clench in any given anxiety attack vary, but I always seem to clench one muscle set or another when I am anxious.

I use breathing exercises to work through it. Singing and humming are my favorite breathing exercises for the job. The vibration of my vocal chords adds a massaging effect.
StephPoe
StephPoe
Thank you both for responding! I don’t know if It’s my throat that clenches I feel like it’s my stomach like if someone is squeezing it (no pain, just pressure) the only thing I can manage to do is run to the bathroom and breath... Either way I wanna try the humming and also some mints maybe both can distract me... thank you both for the suggestions
arfie
arfie
My stomach is another of my muscle clench spots. Yes, the breathing exercises also work well there, as well as gentle stretches to accomplish the gentle massage effect my throat gets from my vocal chords.

Never forget that singing and humming are breathing exercises. Super good breathing exercises, to boot, with the added bonus of the creative expression which is so helpful in venting repressed emotions.
StephPoe
StephPoe
Wow... I didn't think of it like that at all....thats awesome. You're absolutely right it is a breathing exercise!! knowing this, itll help me remember when I am hugging the toilet LOL
arfie
arfie
If you can remember while you are hugging the porcelain throne (toilet), you are the gorier half-way to being able to remember as a preventative measure. I can't even remember my own name by the time my condition has escalated to commode hugging.
tofizz
tofizz
This is a newer problem of mine with my increase in anxiety. I thought it was due to a change in medicine and was trying to pinpoint which it was. I'm glad to hear I'm not imagining it and others are experiencing this too. My husband has been supportive but confused, of course, but I think knowing this could be anxiety based could help, especially the humming exercises!
StephPoe
StephPoe
you are definitely not alone tofizz. I used to think the same until I did some more research and looked at forums. when it first happened in high school i thought it was due to medication or another sickness but it was definitely anxiety and it's followed me a long way! Good luck, I hope these strategies help you as well =)
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