Can Anxiety Make You Vomit? Causes & Treatment

Key takeaways:

• Nausea and vomiting with anxiety represent the body’s “fight or flight” response to a perceived threat.
• While nausea is a common symptom of anxiety, vomiting usually occurs with extreme anxiety.
• You can address vomiting with mindfulness activities, self-care, and managing your anxiety itself.

Nausea is a common symptom of anxiety, but extreme anxiety can sometimes result in vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are the body’s response to a perceived threat, known as the “fight or flight” response.

When your body prepares to confront a problem, blood flow is diverted to the brain and heart. As a result, blood flow to the gut is altered. This can result in nausea and vomiting. In this article, we’ll discuss why this occurs, how to prevent vomiting when you are anxious, and when to consult your doctor.

Is it normal to throw up from anxiety?

Although vomiting due to anxiety does not occur as often as the nausea that precedes it, it’s not considered an abnormal response. It is the result of the body’s response to a threatening situation. Although it is not common, it is not abnormal or rare.

How anxiety can make you vomit or feel nauseous

Although we don’t understand why some people vomit or feel nauseous when they become anxious and others do not, there are several potential explanations. In addition to nausea and vomiting, anxiety can result in other gastrointestinal effects, including:

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Cramps
• Decreased appetite

Fight or flight response

The fight or flight response is the body’s reaction to perceived danger. This response prepares the body to react to a threat by diverting blood flow from less critical organs to the brain and the heart.

Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is a hormone and neurotransmitter released by the adrenal glands during this response. Adrenaline causes many effects you may feel when your body thinks it’s in danger, which can happen due to a spike in anxiety even if you’re not actually in any danger.

Autonomic nerves

The fight or flight response activates the autonomic nervous system, a collection of nerves that control heart rate, respiration, and digestion. The gut has more nerves than anywhere in the body except for the brain. So, when your autonomic nervous system is activated, you will likely feel the effects within your digestive system.

There is a lot of evidence that the central nervous system, which refers to the brain and spinal cord, is closely linked to the enteric nervous system, the network of autonomic nerves in the gut. This is another part of why nausea may accompany anxiety.

Psychological factors

Psychological disorders are linked to nausea and vomiting with anxiety. These disorders change the gut’s immune and nervous systems, resulting in increased sensitivity to the nerves that signal pain and increased sensitivity to stimulation in the gut.

The most commonly associated disorders are anxiety, depression, and somatoform disorders. A somatoform disorder is a mental health condition characterized by physical symptoms that suggest a medical problem but cannot be fully explained by a general medical condition, substance use, or another mental disorder.

Gastrointestinal disorders

People who have a pre-existing digestive problem, like irritable bowel syndrome, are more likely to experience nausea and vomiting when they are anxious.

However, anxiety often precedes the gastrointestinal condition and is considered a potential cause of gastrointestinal disorders.

Common symptoms of anxiety vomiting

If you experience vomiting when you are anxious, you are probably aware of the symptoms that precede these episodes. Common symptoms of anxiety can include:

• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Increased respiratory rate
• Elevated blood pressure

Gastrointestinal symptoms associated with vomiting include the following:

Nausea

Nausea is a ubiquitous symptom associated with anxiety. It also precedes most episodes of vomiting.

Feeling bloated

Feeling bloated can occur with anxiety due to the increased sensitivity of the walls of the intestine to any stimuli.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea can result from the release of the hormone adrenaline as part of the fight or flight response. Adrenaline increases muscle activity, which speeds up gut motility.

Constipation

Studies have shown that people with chronic constipation have a greater incidence of anxiety and other psychological disorders compared to the general population.

Trouble swallowing

Although true swallowing problems, known as dysphagia, are not associated with anxiety, the feeling of a lump in the throat can occur with anxiety.

It results from tightening of the muscles of the throat. Another psychiatric disorder, choking phobia, is also associated with anxiety.

When to see a doctor about anxiety and vomiting

If you have vomiting you suspect may be related to anxiety, it helps to first ask yourself if you were feeling anxious preceding the episode.

Do you frequently vomit when you are troubled or anxious? If you’re not sure what’s causing your vomiting or aren’t able to address your symptoms on your own, it may be time to consult a doctor.

You should see a doctor if:

• Your vomiting is frequent and persistent.
• Vomiting interferes with your daily activities.
• You have unexplained weight loss.
• You recently started a new medication or supplement and are experiencing vomiting.

You should go to the emergency room if:

• You have other symptoms, like chest pain, severe abdominal pain, fever, or blood in your vomit.

Questions to ask your doctor about anxiety and vomiting

If you decide to seek medical care, you should ask your doctor about your condition and the options for treatment. Some questions that can help you receive better care include the following:

• What causes vomiting with anxiety?
• What is the treatment for anxiety-related vomiting?
• What steps can I take to prevent vomiting when I am anxious?

How to prevent or treat vomiting from anxiety

Vomiting as a result of anxiety can cause additional stress. Is it preventable? Can it be treated successfully? Let’s explore these topics.

Deep breathing

If you are vomiting due to anxiety and you are feeling anxious, try deep breathing exercises.

Taking slow, deep breaths can counter the body’s stress response to anxiety. Controlled breathing resets the autonomic nervous system, slowing your heart and respiratory rates. It is also associated with a calming, relaxing effect. One type of deep breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, is associated with reducing the stress hormone cortisol.

Meditation

Mindful meditation has been associated with improvements in anxiety in multiple studies. It is also associated with improved depression and pain.

Distraction

Another way to reduce anxiety and the gastrointestinal symptoms associated with it is to distract yourself.

You can listen to music, count backward, or make mental lists. It is always a good idea to have a plan before you experience an episode of anxiety.

Sleep

A good night’s sleep reduces anxiety. Sleep deprivation is associated with anxiety and stress. You should try to sleep 8 hours each night. A regular schedule and good sleep hygiene will help.

Exercise

Exercise has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety. People with anxiety disorders have a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease and are at risk of premature death. Exercise also reduces the risk of these health problems.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol

Caffeine can increase symptoms of anxiety. Alcohol disrupts the sleep cycle and can also cause rebound anxiety after drinking heavily.

Avoid spicy, fried, and greasy foods

It can help to stick to a bland diet if you are prone to nausea with anxiety. Doing so may help reduce the risk of vomiting when you experience anxiety symptoms.

Stay hydrated

Sipping on water or other clear liquids during the day can help you avoid nausea. Drinking water is also associated with a reduction in anxiety and depression.

Medications

If you’re unable to manage your anxiety symptoms alone, your doctor may prescribe an anti-anxiety medication or an antidepressant to help. Several over-the-counter and prescription medications prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting. These include prochlorperazine, metoclopramide, and ondansetron.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy is effective for various psychiatric disorders, including anxiety. With cognitive behavioral therapy, patients learn coping strategies. These strategies include how to counter distorted thoughts that increase anxiety.

Frequently asked questions: vomiting and anxiety

Although anxiety vomiting is not as common as nausea, it is not a rare phenomenon. If you are experiencing vomiting with anxiety, you may have questions. Let’s find answers to common questions about vomiting and anxiety.

Can anxiety attacks make you vomit?

Anxiety attacks are characterized by intense feelings of worry and dread as well as a triggering of your “fight or flight response,” both of which can make you vomit. When this occurs, it’s usually preceded by nausea.

Can anxiety cause nausea or vomiting that lasts for days?

Anxiety can cause nausea and vomiting, but it is usually short-lived. Once the anxiety is relieved, the nausea and vomiting stop. If you have prolonged nausea or vomiting related to anxiety, you should see your doctor to rule out other causes.

How can you get rid of morning anxiety and nausea?

A good night’s sleep often reduces morning anxiety. Try to sleep eight hours each night. Set a regular schedule and use good sleep hygiene for the best results.

Key points to remember about anxiety and vomiting

The body’s response to danger causes nausea and vomiting associated with anxiety. This response, known as “fight or flight," is the body’s way of preparing to counter a threat.

The response is mediated by communication between the brain and the nerves in the gut, so gastrointestinal symptoms are common. While vomiting may be normal for some people with anxiety, it can still be unpleasant and disruptive. If you consistently experience anxiety-related vomiting and nausea, it’s likely time to consult a mental health professional or your doctor to learn what steps to take next.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Lane Thaut, DO.

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