Have You Ever Had A Physical Reaction In Therapy?

[AnonymousFish]

In therapy this morning I felt physically sick, like if I talked anymore I would puke and faint.

I'm just wondering, what happened? And has this happened to you?

 

[Rumors]

Yes, I have had the very same thing. Light headed and nauseated. It has happened when something struck a chord or a nerve. Topics that make me uncomfortable leave me feeling that way or things that dig around and stir more up leave me feeling that way. In the absence of emotion, I usually have those types of feelings. Sweaty, nauseated, stomach hurts, shoulder pain, hips hurt, lower back pain, headache. It's really messed up feeling but I have learned to just roll with it. I am not a crier and emotion doesn't come easily for me. Actually, it just doesn't come.

 

[JustKate]

Vomiting is one of my specialties with PTSD and anxiety - happened in the Post Office a little while back...

 

[Friday]

Puking levels of anxiety? Yep.

Ditto disgust, shame, & other oh so fun visceral responses. :wtf:

 

[rosey]

Snap have had to leave therapy sessions early many times for that reason. Even nightmares have had me running to bathroom to throw up. I always take ice vold water into sessions now as i find that helps.

 

[expectingbetter]

I have most intense reactions when I am coming to a session.
My heart rate speeds up incredibly and I barely breath.
I didn't find the way not to be afraid before the session.
Luckily it isn't always the same intense.

 

[AnonymousFish]

Thanks guys, I feel a bit better knowing it's not just me!

Can I ask what your therapist does to work around it? Or even of anyone knows *why* this happens?

 

[JustKate]

Thanks guys, I feel a bit better knowing it's not just me!

Can I ask what your therapist does to work around it...

My therapist is comfortable with my vomiting as we've come to realise it's my body's reaction to the anxiety or stress. I have sick bags at the ready as I can be driving to work and vomit - Kate's anxious - Kate will spew!

 

[Abstract]

It can also be an expression of violation for me. Both s*xual and psychological. A possible subconscious attempt to expel it conceptually. Certain interpersonal dynamics in general can set it off/trigger it. Possibly obvious? Sorry if so.

 

[Panda Bear]

Indeed. :wtf:

If I feel like throwing up, I say something. He usually asks me if I need to and it's okay if I have too.

He then backs up and calms me back down.

 

[Lola Nocheprieta]

I haven't puked in therapy (yet), but we have just scratched the surface. However, after a yucky interaction with my mom, I puked into my garbage can at work. I vomited so hard I had petechial hemorrhaging around my eyes and pissed my pants uncontrollably. :inpain: That actually cracks me up thinking about it. I'm planning on wearing Depends to therapy once we start Prolonged Exposure. ;) Better safe than sitting in a puddle of my own piss in her office.

 

[EveHarrington]

Physical manifestation of stress?