Can Anxiety Cause Nausea? The Link, Signs, & Treatment Options

By We Level Up FL Treatment Center | Editor Yamilla Francese | Clinically Reviewed By Lauren Barry, LMFT, MCAP, QS, Director of Quality Assurance | Editorial Policy | Research Policy | Last Updated: January 16, 2023

• Postpartum Depression: is much more serious than the “baby blues” (relatively mild depressive and anxiety symptoms that typically clear within two weeks after delivery) that many women experience after giving birth. Women with postpartum Depression experience full-blown major Depression during pregnancy or after delivery (postpartum depression). The feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that accompany postpartum depression may make it difficult for these new mothers to complete daily care activities for themselves and/or their babies.
• Seasonal affective disorder: is characterized by the onset of Depression during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. This Depression generally lifts during spring and summer. Winter Depression, typically accompanied by social withdrawal, increased sleep, and weight gain, predictably returns every year in seasonal affective disorder.
• SAD Seasonal Depression (Depressed SAD): A form of depression known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is triggered by the changing of the seasons; it starts and ends about at the same periods each year. If you have SAD like the majority of people do, your symptoms begin in the fall and last through the winter, draining your energy and making you cranky. Typically, these symptoms go away in the spring and summer. SAD less frequently results in depression in the spring or early summer and clears up in the fall or winter. SAD treatment options include medications, psychotherapy, and light therapy (phototherapy).

Anxiety Statistics

It’s critical to understand the distinction between anxiety and depression. Anxiety, in its most basic form, is an excessive feeling of worry, whereas depression, in its most basic form, is an excessive feeling of worthlessness and hopelessness. It is conceivable for someone to experience depression and anxiety simultaneously.

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Can Nausea Cause Anxiety?

While experiencing occasional anxiety is natural, chronic and debilitating anxiety can make it difficult for you to function in daily life. Anxiety symptoms like nausea might make it more difficult to manage.

This article examines the physical symptoms of anxiety, the link between anxiety and nausea, as well as some available therapies and coping mechanisms.

Anxiety And Nausea (Nausea And Anxiety)

How To Tell If Nausea Is From Anxiety? Anxiety Causing Nausea

According to Alexandra Fuss, Ph.D., a gastrointestinal psychologist at Yale School of Medicine, some of the physical signs and symptoms of anxiety include perspiration, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, tense muscles, nausea, and other digestive problems. Fuss describes the relationship between anxiety and nausea as well as how anxiety causes your body to go into flight, fight, or freeze mode.

Why Does Anxiety Cause Nausea? Flight, Fight, or Freeze Response

The sympathetic nervous system, which is in charge of our body’s fight, flight, or freeze response to a threat, becomes active as a result of anxiety.

Our sympathetic nervous system releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline when we are exposed to a threat or stressor. Our bodies prioritize their resources in this situation to provide us with the best chance of immediate survival.

Physical symptoms including perspiration, a quick heartbeat, shortness of breath, and elevated blood pressure occur to us. Additionally, digestion is slowed, immune system responses are changed, and blood is diverted from the big muscle groups to the digestive tract.

Anxiety Induced Nausea: The Gut-Brain Connection

The gut and the brain are connected, and each can have an impact on the other. Our gastrointestinal nervous system sometimes referred to as the enteric nervous system, is made up of neurons (nerve cells) that line the walls of our bowels. Our central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord, is connected to this system.

Since this link is bi-directional, both parties may have an impact on one another. The brain can influence intestine reactions to ideas and emotions in one direction. The emotional and cognitive regions of the brain can react to the gut in the opposite direction.

In essence, our emotions and thoughts can be impacted by our digestion, and vice versa, our digestion can affect our emotions and thoughts.

As a result, it is common for people to experience nausea or that recognizable stomachache when they are stressed. In turn, nausea might make the anxiousness worse.

Can Anxiety Cause Nausea And Loss Of Appetite?

Can anxiety cause loss of appetite and nausea: Your body undergoes emotional and psychological changes as a result of anxiety to assist you to cope with the stress. You may lose interest in food as a result of these changes, which frequently affect the stomach and digestive system. If stress is the cause, once you start to feel more at ease, your hunger normally returns.

GERD And Anxiety (Anxiety And GERD)

Anxiety GERD: A persistent illness known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causes your stomach acid to flow back up into your esophagus. While occasional cases of acid reflux are common, GERD is defined as acid reflux that occurs more frequently than twice per week.

Although anxiety is your body’s natural reaction to stress, it’s possible to have an anxiety disorder if your anxiety is extreme or lasts for several months and significantly affects your life.

Both ailments are getting worse. 18.1 percent of individuals in the United States have an anxiety illness, while 18 to 28 percent of people in North America are thought to have GERD.

But they may appear to be unconnected, experts think there may be a connection between GERD and anxiety, although the specifics of that connection are not yet known.

GERD Anxiety: What Causes GERD?

Frequent acid reflux, which happens when stomach acid runs back up into your esophagus, irritating and occasionally inflaming its lining, is the root cause of GERD. Your chance of developing GERD may be increased by a number of conditions, such as:

• Obesity
• Hiatal hernia
• Delayed stomach emptying
• Pregnancy

Poor eating habits, such as eating large meals, reclining down during or just after eating, or consuming fried or fatty foods, are some lifestyle choices that might exacerbate acid reflux. It’s well known that stress, which is strongly related to worry, makes acid reflux worse.

GERD From Anxiety

In a vicious loop, research from 2015 indicated that anxiety and depression raise the risk of GERD, and other studies have found that the detrimental effects of GERD on quality of life also raise anxiety and sadness. However, there is no solid scientific proof connecting anxiety to a rise in stomach acid.

Numerous persons with anxiety and GERD symptoms have normal esophageal acid levels, according to a few studies, including one that was only recently published in the medical journal Gastroenterology.

However, a number of studies have discovered that worry seems to exacerbate GERD symptoms such upper abdomen pain and heartburn. It’s thought that anxiety may increase your sensitivity to GERD-related pain and other symptoms.

Esophageal motility and the operation of your lower esophageal sphincter may be affected by anxiety and other psychological discomforts. Esophageal motility is the term used to describe the contractions that take place in the esophagus when food travels toward the stomach.

Your lower esophageal sphincter is a muscle ring that surrounds your lower esophagus. It opens to let food and liquid enter your stomach and shuts to stop the contents from flowing back up.

GERD Anxiety Symptoms

There are several symptoms that both GERD and anxiety seem to share, despite the fact that both disorders can induce many diverse symptoms.

Heartburn, motion sickness, and stomach pain are both frequent symptoms of the GI system. The painless sense of a lump in your throat or a constricting or choking sensation is known as the globus sensation, and it is another symptom shared by both conditions.

In addition to hoarseness, a persistent cough, or a constant desire to clear their throat, those who have globus sensation frequently also have these GERD and acid reflux symptoms.

Another typical symptom of both illnesses is disturbed sleep. When you are lying down, acid reflux may be severe, which may keep you from sleeping well. Your sleep cycle can be impacted by anxiety, which can also make it difficult for you to get to sleep or stay asleep.

Gerd Causing Anxiety: Can Anxiety Cause GERD or Can Gerd Cause Anxiety? Does Anxiety Cause Gerd

Does GERD cause anxiety? In a vicious loop, research from 2015 indicated that anxiety and depression raise the risk of GERD, and other studies have found that the detrimental effects of GERD on quality of life also raise anxiety and sadness. However, there is no solid scientific proof connecting anxiety to a rise in stomach acid.

GERD And Anxiety Panic Attacks (GERD And Anxiety/Panic Attacks)

Anxiety and acid reflux may be closely related. According to several studies, worry may worsen acid reflux symptoms. In certain circumstances, stress and anxiety may also be causes of acid reflux. On the other hand, some people may experience anxiety and tension as a result of acid reflux.

GERD Secondary To Anxiety VA Disability

The VA Ratings for GERD secondary to PTSD are 10 percent, 30 percent, or 60 percent depending upon the severity of your GERD, and how your GERD symptoms affect your work, life, and social functioning. The highest scheduler rating for GERD secondary to PTSD is 60%.

GERD And Anxiety/Panic Attacks Treatment

A doctor may recommend a combination of the following to treat GERD and anxiety:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) antacids, such as Tums and Rolaids.
• H-2-receptor blockers (H2 blockers), such as famotidine (Pepcid) and cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as esomeprazole (Nexium) and rabeprazole (Aciphex)
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa)
• Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan)
• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor)
• Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

How To Get Rid Of Nausea From Anxiety? How To Stop Anxiety Nausea? Anxiety Nausea Treatment

Can Nausea Be Caused By Anxiety? Nausea Caused By Anxiety: Treatment for Anxiety

Fuss offers the following therapies and coping mechanisms to assist you to manage your anxiety and accompanying nausea:

• Therapy is essential if you want to address your anxiety and improve your coping mechanisms. Some of the therapeutic techniques that can be helpful include exposure therapy and cognitive behavior therapy.
• A specialist form of treatment for nausea and other digestive problems is gut-directed hypnotherapy. It entails entering a deeply relaxed state of therapeutic hypnosis when you are still conscious and in control of your behavior. You will be led through exercises by your healthcare professional that can help you gain more control over physiological symptoms and reactions.
• Breathing exercises: Breathing exercises, such as diaphragmatic breathing, are shown to help the body reduce anxiety and return to a state of rest. These exercises can lower heart rate and blood pressure and reduce stress hormones. In addition to practicing breath work daily, you can focus on your breath during periods of peak anxiety to bring a sense of calm.
• Mindfulness techniques: Other means of stress reduction that can help with anxiety include various mindfulness practices such as meditation, guided imagery, and progressive muscle relaxation.
• Self-care: It’s equally important to take care of your health and yourself. Making the time for self-care, like taking care of your body’s basic needs such as getting adequate sleep, good nutrition, regular exercise, and practicing self-compassion is essential.

Can Anxiety Make You Dizzy? Anxiety Dizziness

Anxiety And Dizziness: You may have started to feel uneasy if you frequently feel dizzy or if you do so as a result of a medical condition like low blood pressure, anemia, or a vestibular ailment such as paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), labyrinthitis, or vestibular neuritis (also known as balance disorders):

• You are worried about falling or hurting yourself because of your health condition
• You are anxious about drawing attention to yourself by falling or fainting
• You are concerned about your health and what is happening to your body

Does Anxiety Cause Dizziness? It is strongly advised that you seek medical attention for your dizziness if you haven’t already. You may start to better control your dizziness, minimize your symptoms, and stop it from having such a significant influence on your life with the help of your doctor and the appropriate treatment.

Anxiety Dizzy: Keep in mind that you have access to medical care for both your physical and emotional well-being. Today’s anxiety treatments are both broadly accessible and extremely effective. To help them decide the best course of action, discuss your anxiety with the healthcare professional who is treating your vertigo.

To start taking action to manage your anxiety and enhance how you feel all around, you might also wish to consult with a mental health expert like Priory Group for advice and treatment.

Why Does Anxiety Cause Dizziness?

People who are worried may experience hyperventilation. This method of breathing alters the blood’s gas composition, making the brain feel faint and feeble. One of the main types of dizziness, lightheadedness, is frequently brought on by hyperventilation, which is connected to anxiety disorders.

Is Dizziness A Symptom Of Anxiety?

Numerous symptoms, such as headaches and vertigo, are brought on by chronic anxiety. Actually, both acute and long-term anxiety frequently go hand in hand with dizziness. A person’s chance of acquiring an anxiety condition may also be higher if they have an inner ear disease, which can make them feel dizzy.

Waking Up Dizzy Anxiety

Sleep problems and dizziness are frequently associated. As a result of their illness, people with anxiety and depression frequently have problems falling asleep. Another reason you could feel lightheaded in the morning is sleep apnea. With sleep apnea, you stop breathing while you’re asleep and then gasp for air when you awaken.

“My Heart Is Racing And I Feel Dizzy Anxiety” What is happening?

When you experience a panic attack, your body shifts into “fight or flight” mode. Your breathing becomes more rapid as your body strives to take in more oxygen. Your body also secretes substances like adrenaline, which makes your muscles tight and your heart beat quicker.

Dizziness From Anxiety: Anxiety and Dizziness Can Be Experienced at the Same Time for Completely Different Reasons

Anxiety and vertigo can occur simultaneously in a person without there being any connection between them.

It is crucial to contact your healthcare physician if you encounter any or both and are unsure of the causes. They will be able to assess your symptoms, assist you with any required diagnostics, and refer you for any required specialized care. This might entail getting support for both physical and mental health.

Anxiety Cause Dizziness (Dizziness Anxiety)

A person can experience both anxiety and dizziness at the same time, without them being related in any way.

Ear Pressure And Dizziness Anxiety

Stress and anxiety can make symptoms of inner ear vertigo worse. The most frequent causes of lightheadedness that are not brought on by the inner ear are stress and anxiety. other factors, such as illnesses like low blood pressure and diseases of the brain.

How To Stop Dizziness From Anxiety? Ending Anxiety Dizziness

Anxiety and experiencing faintness, vertigo, and lightheadedness are unpleasant feelings. Often, the onset of these symptoms might send you into a vicious loop in which your anxiety causes dizziness, which then intensifies your anxiety. There are several things you may take to quickly reduce your symptoms and soothe your anxiousness. Try these brief strategies and see what helps you feel less lightheaded:

How To Stop Anxiety Dizziness? Dizziness And Anxiety

How To Get Rid Of Dizziness From Anxiety?

• Adopt some relaxation strategies. Breathing exercises, visualizations, and muscular relaxation are all effective ways to reduce anxiety when it strikes. Relaxation techniques are excellent for controlling your breathing and releasing tension in your body if you can look past your symptoms of lightheadedness and dizziness.
• Avoid stimulants – Coffee and alcohol can dehydrate you, which might worsen your feeling of lightheadedness and dizziness. Regular water consumption helps ease headaches and help you feel better if you feel like you might pass out.
• Distract yourself from the source of your anxiety. This can assist in swiftly reducing symptoms. Even something as simple as changing rooms can help you shift your attention from the source of your concern and, consequently, your lightheadedness.
• Listen to some music: Certain musical genres have been shown to lower anxiety by lowering heart rate and providing mental diversion. Put some soothing music on and take a seat if you start to feel lightheaded or faint.
• Take a moment. There is probably a major source of concern, a situation or scenario that you are experiencing at the time your vertigo appears. More than anything else, you need to take a break and get away from the stressful scenario. Give your symptoms of dizziness the best chance to pass by helping yourself to calm down.

Adopting certain coping mechanisms to deal with anxiety will help you feel less nervous on a regular basis and enhance your general well-being.

Medication For Anxiety Dizziness

Meclizine, an antihistamine, is most frequently used to treat vertigo and motion sickness. During panic episodes, the medication, marketed under the name Antivert, can help alleviate nausea and vertigo.

How To Get Rid Of Anxiety Nausea? We Level Up Dual Diagnosis Treatment

The exact definition of dual diagnosis (also referred to as co-occurring disorders) can differ between institutions.  However, it is generally described as the specific treatment of someone who has been diagnosed with a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder simultaneously. Treating dual-diagnosis clients is a critical aspect of our inpatient treatment experience because co-occurring disorders are strongly correlated with instances of substance abuse.

Creating a treatment plan that addresses the physical aspects of withdrawal, the psychological connection with drug use, and managing underlying mental health disorders is part of setting clients up for success.  A thorough mental health analysis identifies possibilities for treatment.  Meeting with mental health counselors and medical care providers means access to behavioral therapy and medication treatment. At our dual diagnosis treatment center, We Level Up can implement the highest quality of care. 

We recognize the fragile complexities of how mental and substance abuse disorders can influence others and sometimes result in a vicious cycle of addiction.  That’s why we offer specialized treatment in dual-diagnosis cases to provide the most excellent chance of true healing and long-lasting recovery.

It can be challenging to accept that you may be living with a mental illness, but once it is properly diagnosed and treated, treating the presenting case of substance abuse can be magnitudes easier. Only a properly trained medical professional can diagnose these underlying conditions.  If you believe you are suffering from a disorder alongside addiction, we urge you to seek a qualified treatment center to begin your journey to recovery. Call We Level Up today.

Anxiety Nausea FAQs