Also... weird question... psychosomatic stuff?

I've wanted to ask about this for a while but couldn't figure out how to explain it and not sound totally nuts.  But oh well.  Here's the deal.

When I was younger, it used to happen more.  If I was anxious, I would get very sick to my stomach.  When I was in fourth grade, I think it was, my family doctor ordered some tests to check for an ulcer (which I didn't have).  But I still do it sometimes, feel sick in some way, when I'm anxious.

Sometimes I don't know if symptoms I'm having are related to a physical problem or an emotional problem.

But also, it seems like sometimes I am good at blocking symptoms out.  I think that has to do with my PTSD.  Hmm... something to talkl to my therapist about later today when I see her.  But anyway, my symptoms might come and go, or I might be really sick and not realize it.  Which is scary.

Anyone else have this problem?  How do you deal with it?  How do you  know if something is a physical problem or not?

I have suffered with anxiety ever since I was a little girl.  When I got sober 6 years ago that underlying constant anxiety turned into panic that would stay with me all day.  During that time, sometimes I would be so panic stricken that I would actually get really nauseous and vomit.  For me, I needed cognitive behavioral therapy and zoloft.  That combination helped me to get the anxiety to a much more manageable level.  Not sure if this helps you or not, but I just wanted you to know that you're not alone. 

I will keep you in my thoughts that you find some resolution and quick!

Well, I am in therapy and on meds, but honestly I don't think I've really worked on this issue in therapy.  But I think I"m gonna bring it up today.

I have dysautonomia. Basically everyone has an autonomic nervous system. It controls everything your body does that you don't think about from temperature and heart rate to gi function. It can also cause panic attacks. In me I have issues with my heart rate, panic attacks, and GI function (IBS). It can seem to those looking in that nothing is wrong. I have learned to live with it and do take meds for it - celexa because my brain makes enough serotonin but because of the dysautonomia sucks it all back up, klonopin for the anxiety, verapamil to lower my heart rate, bentyl for the GI problems. Anyway, I say all this to say that I have learned what "normal" is for me and know that I can head off some of my problems by taking appropriate meds. Other times I'm sick. I was once told by a doctor during a particular bad weekend that I had a stomach virus. Nope, just the dysautonomia. I think we know our bodies better than we think and I think when something is wrong you will know it.

Several years ago I was treated for an anxiety disorder, which is hereditary from my dad. I learned alot from my therapist and Psychiatrist. One thing I thought was quite interesting is we have as much seratonin in our gut as we do our heads. So anxiety tied to GI symptoms makes perfect sense. I actually stay on the lowest dose of Zoloft to keep my irritable bowel in check.

Not sure if this is what you were asking, but hopes it helps

Audra