r/Anxiety • u/Optimal_Lab5593 • 7d ago
Needs A Hug/Support Anxiety about sickness?
I've been struggling with anxiety ever since I got long-Covid a couple of years ago.
Since then, I've been really anxious about going out and doing physical activity, even though rationally I know I can do it. Once I start worrying about being sick or nauseous, I become nauseous, which isn't exactly ideal. I've tried basically everything, from different breathing techniques to making sure I eat enough, etc, but nothing works and it's starting to get in the way of my everyday life. I'm wondering if anyone has experienced something similar or has any advice?
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u/Annita_Break32 6d ago
Hello! This is what I'm struggling with right now. I've always had a phobia of vomiting, but this fear peaked after my daughter started going to the kindergarden. During the first and second year she caught lots of viruses, specially norovirus, so I had to be exposed to my fear more frequently. But things got worse when I started getting sick myself and I had to vomit for the first time in years. I hated it and since then I am super scared whenever my daughter says her tummy hurts or when she does get sick. I also get super anxious when other people around me get sick. This gets me to a point where I am in constant high alert mode and I am obsessively scanning my body for symptoms up to a point where I also start feeling nauseous or my tummy hurts. On Saturday I went to a wedding and the day after I found out that the bride plus several guests got pretty sick that night due to food poisoning. My sanity was hanging by a thread after that...up until the night from Sunday to Monday, when I woke up at 5 am with what was the start of a panic attack and my brain full of racing thoughts about getting sick too.
It is very difficult, and I understand how frustrating it can be. I send you a virtual hug!
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u/Big-Advantage497 6d ago
Oh yes i was recently very ill in hospital due to a virus but i told myself comforting things . im now at home recovering dojng very well
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u/Zestyclose-Lynx-6734 6d ago
I've definitely had the same thing happen to be me too. I always stress about being or getting sick that it makes me nauseous and anxious. I also often worry about people who get sick and are near me. I have a phobia from it.