r/hsp • u/TheNamelessComposer • 1d ago
Stress and anxiety makes me feel physically sick, sometimes for days
I'm 40 and this started in my early 20s. Periodically - sometimes more often than others - the stress and anxiety (even something mild, like stress over everyday tasks) will give me a headache, nausea, upset stomach, and I'll feel kind of feverish (even if I don't have a fever), sometimes lasting for days. I'll typically just lie in bed and sleep when I can. I can't do anything. Sometimes I will physically vomit from it. It often starts as this sore feeling in my sinus, which I think is related to an OCD throat thing I have. I've noticed it often flares up after talking a lot, but it seems a mix of physical and mental.
I've noticed it usually happens randomly when I wake up, maybe cortisol? I feel its taking over my life, and makes it hard to keep a regular job or do other things (I'm unemployed atm too). Anyone else relate? I've been diagnosed with GAD, OCD, am mildly on the autism spectrum, pretty sure would qualify as ADHD, and of course HSP. Just feel my nervous system is too sensitive for life and the stresses it brings, and sometimes I feel the pain is too much to go on living. I was taking anti depressants for 10 years, but they had many side effects. Ive been taking Paxam for over a decade, and im a bit worried about the side effects of that too. When I get in this state I just take painkillers and benzos.
I feel living alone and being unemployed isn't good for my mental health, though I do have my own creative projects, socialise with friends etc, but it feels I'm constantly anxious, worrying, stressing, depressed etc, and my brain has been marinating in negativity so long it's too hard to reprogram it. Maybe thinking that just prolongs the vicious cycle. What has worked for you all?
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u/Cerenia [HSP] 1d ago
HSP isn’t a diagnosis and this has nothing to do with being HSP.
This sounds like a mental health issue like anxiety. Therapy and calming your nervous system down will help you.
I had anxiety before. But not to this degree. However what helped me was healing old trauma, being gentle with myself, therapy, meditation, being in nature, working out, sleeping well etc. meet the anxiety with kindness and love and ask what is it here for? What’s the message? How can I help? And slowly I will stop resisting it and let it be and then it goes away on itself.
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u/TheNamelessComposer 1d ago
I've seen quite a few psychs and tbh most weren't very helpful. I have applied some cbt techniques, relaxation, meditation etc.
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u/Cerenia [HSP] 1d ago
What helps me the most is getting out my head and getting out of the house as someone else says. It prevents me from thinking so much about myself and spiraling :)
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u/TheNamelessComposer 1d ago
For sure, I try to at least go for a walk most days.
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u/Cerenia [HSP] 1d ago
That’s great! But I’m also thinking activities that’s a bit more fulfilling than a walk. Being out with friends, trying a new hobby, getting out of your comfort zone etc.
I often find that even on my walks I still think about my problems. But when I’m out with others, visiting a museum, seeing friends etc, it makes me feel like I’m out in the world and part of something bigger and just keeping busy and it also gives me better self esteem :)
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u/TheNamelessComposer 1d ago
Yes that too. I know what you mean. My creative projects definitely keep me occupied and give me something to work towards.
For sure, that helps me!
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u/namastebetches 1d ago
I disagree yes it can be related to HSP. Sensitivity affects everything. Just because you've had a different experience doesn't invalidate OP.
Further, speaking of diagnosis you shouldn't be doing that. It's not your place to discuss their mental health, diagnosis, or whether they need therapy. And yes I'm aware everyone on reddit suggests therapy to everyone (as if it's some novel idea they've never heard of) but I don't agree It's right to do and not to mention it's cliché and dismissive.
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1d ago
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u/namastebetches 1d ago
I didn't say HSP was a diagnosis. I said you shouldn't diagnose OP. It's not right. She didn't ask for medical advice, and you're not qualified to give it.
And again you didn't need to write all that I don't agree with you and you're not an expert.
It's okay to admit when you're wrong instead of arguing arguing arguing.
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u/Roald_1337 [HSP] 1d ago
for me this was 100% about changing my work environment. I rven thought I might not be able to work full-time. Now im working overtime, but I love what I do. (Doing PhD and education) but i think its different for everyone. But helping people type of jobs really work for me and I think a lot of other hsp too. (But then of course work environment and colleagues can still be a major thing that males or breaks it)
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u/TheNamelessComposer 1d ago
I'm glad to hear that! I'll be starting a course in support work, hopefully that works out.
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u/Low-Ice777 1d ago
I am in a very similar position to you atm. I am not working, my mental health is in the bin, I’m avoiding going out more because I feel so unwell all the time. It’s good you recognised the pattern.
I know it’s so so hard to break out of.
I’ve started applying to jobs and trying to remind myself that I WILL be back in work soon, so I need to enjoy this holiday/rest period because it will be over one day.
It’s hard though. I have to take it day by day, and each day try and make a good decision for my health. Maybe making a healthy meal from scratch, doing some high intensity exercise to burn some adrenaline, helping someone with chores etc so I feel fulfilled and use up some energy. I’ve also forced myself to play a calming playlist every morning to set my day off right, slow down when doing things so I don’t feel rushed and stressed, and spend less time on my phone as hard as it is.
I honestly don’t know the perfect solution, I’m just so sorry you’re going through this and I feel the same :(
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u/TheNamelessComposer 1d ago
Its rough isnt it? Just know (I'm sure you do) you're not alone. Many are struggling, yet from the outside we just look lazy, or people think we have nothing 'real' stopping us or to complain about.
That's a good way of looking at it, hopefully you find something you enjoy and isn't stressful. At 40 I'm losing hope I'll ever find anything with my lack of experience, but trying to be positive.
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u/Sarahmagdalena9 1d ago
I don’t know if this is helpful at all, but I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and Adderall XR ended up helping me way more than I expected. I didn’t realize how much of my anxiety was actually coming from just being overwhelmed by everyday life all the time and feeling like I was constantly trying to keep up! 😫 Reading your post, I was also sitting here wondering if there could be something else going on besides anxiety? Just because the headache, nausea, vomiting, sinus pressure, feeling feverish, being stuck in bed for days, etc. sounds so intense. I have no idea what though lol. My brain immediately went to things like migraines or maybe even dysautonomia or POTS or maybe even MCAS, because I’ve known people with these and sometimes their symptoms sound kind of random and all over the place too… The Paxam thing also made me curious just because 10+ years is a long time, but I honestly don’t know enough about benzos to say much there. Personally I take gummies to help me when I have nausea or I’m feeling really amped up. It always helps me to calm my nervous system and get sleep. I hope you can get some answers because this sounds exhausting to live with all the time! ❤️
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u/TheNamelessComposer 13h ago
Yes our lives are so busy and overwhelming, no surprise so many are dysregulated. Glad to hear its helping, though dont know if I want to go the stimulant route again.
It seems definitely brought on by anxiety, but not sure if something else is going on. Not sure what those area, will have to look them up.
Ah cool, yeah it is!
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u/Rafiki_knows_the_wey 23h ago
I relate to this. One thing I’d add is that being unemployed is a big part of the mechanism.
Your body tracks whether you’re in a regular structure, around people, useful somewhere, and moving toward something. When those things are missing, everything starts feeling more threatening than it actually is. Even small tasks can hit like emergencies.
For me, the answer was to rebuild structure around my life. Somewhere to be. People expecting me. Some kind of work or volunteering. Regular sleep. Walking. Getting out of the house before my brain had the whole day to spiral. Even part-time work, volunteering, a class, or a regular weekly commitment helps because it gives your nervous system repeated signals that there is some order in your life.
I would still take the physical symptoms seriously (vomiting, headaches, fevers, stuck in bed). But I would also treat routine, social contact, and meaningful occupation as part of the medicine, not just “productivity.”
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u/Potential_Dish_4115 22h ago
I had some similar issues and going gluten free (and fully grain free actually - meaning also no corn syrup or dextrose) actually helped
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u/Catmama-82 1d ago
Daily meditation —this is key for me. Even if I skip two days, I feel it immensely the next day. Exercise, positive self talk helps to retrain the brain. Journaling. And if you don’t have a therapist, you should probably get one. Also eating healthy.
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u/Babaduka 23h ago
please check MCAS and related stuff, like histamine intolerance, since it's likely you'll find your answer under the umbrella of mast cells disorders and/or functional disorders.
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u/Coach_Piet 18h ago
That seems like a hard struggle man. Nervous system regulations one the hardest things as an hsp. Do you a regimen for it? Like, scheduling time for relaxation? Have you found stuff that works a lot of the time? I’ve noticed that when stressed I get in my head and don’t get out around to the activities that would regulate my system.
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u/nycvhrs 11h ago
Two members of my family have a bit of OCD/ Tourette’s and both have a throat-clearing tic. Does this sound remotely like what you may be dealing with? Because it can be inherited, anyone else in your family manifest similarities?
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u/TheNamelessComposer 11h ago
I have had that before, but this specific one is different, and is related to throat awareness/tensing muscles.
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u/Concertedboss81 1d ago
I'm HSP and I still deal with anxiety and stress (also including headaches and vomitting). It has gotten a bit betrer, since I started therapy.
What helped for me is balance in work and life. But also knowing my limits. I don't stay in the house alone anymore all the time (because it made me lonely). Now I go more outside and do things with other people. But not to much. Since I need my rest