• Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder Cycles
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Online Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Online Therapists
    • Grief Counselors
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
    • Session Login
  • Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder Cycles
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Online Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Online Therapists
    • Grief Counselors
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
    • Session Login
Skip to content

Can Anxiety Cause Nausea?

Published: April 6, 2022 Updated: June 22, 2022
Published: 04/06/2022 Updated: 06/22/2022
Vivian Ireton, LCSW Headshot
Written by:

Vivian Ireton

LCSW
Headshot of Kristen Fuller MD
Reviewed by:

Kristen Fuller

MD
  • What Is Anxiety Nausea?Definition
  • Why Does Anxiety Cause Nausea?Reasons
  • Tips On How to Stop Anxiety Nausea8 Tips
  • When to Seek Professional HelpGet Help
  • Final Thoughts On Anxiety NauseaConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Anxiety Nausea InfographicsInfographics
Vivian Ireton, LCSW Headshot
Written by:

Vivian Ireton

LCSW
Headshot of Kristen Fuller MD
Reviewed by:

Kristen Fuller

MD

Physical symptoms of anxiety include sweaty hands, heat rashes on the face or body, rapid heartbeat, and nausea that ranges in severity from “butterflies in your stomach” to vomiting and dry heaving. These nausea-related symptoms, a result of how the brain and gastrointestinal system work together, often leave a person feeling exhausted.

BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for referrals by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

What Is Anxiety Nausea?

Nausea is a potential symptom of anxiety that can be mild or intense, depending on the situation and the individual.1 It may last for minutes, or it might last for hours or days. However long it lasts, depending on severity, anxiety nausea can leave a person physically and emotionally exhausted.

Why Does Anxiety Cause Nausea?

Anxiety is a bodily response to a perceived threat; it prepares the person for fight or flight.2 One part of the central nervous system, the enteric system, serves the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The gastrointestinal system is closely linked to the brain and this connection is known as the gut-brain axis. When someone’s stressed, hormones and neurotransmitters both in the brain and in the gut, are released that can negatively affect the way the intestines work, causing GI discomfort.3

How does a person know if their nausea is from anxiety or something else? One question to ask is, “Am I worried about something?” Worrying is a common symptom of anxiety that can cause nausea. Question whether you feel threatened or in danger. Are you being vulnerable? In these situations, anxiety could be the cause of nausea.

Unlike an upset stomach, anxiety nausea usually only lasts until the perceived threat is gone. If nausea is because of something like the flu, other symptoms such as body aches and fever will usually accompany it.

8 Tips On How to Stop Anxiety Nausea

While anxiety nausea is common, it does not have to be a continuous issue; there are ways to at least reduce its effect on the body. The most important thing to do is to recognize when anxiety is the underlying issue for your nausea.

Eight ways to prevent anxiety-induced nausea are:

  1. Avoid greasy food: making sure to avoid greasy food before a situation that might cause anxiety will help. Then the central nervous system won’t trigger the gastric tract to want to expel the offending greasy food.
  2. Wear comfortable clothing: when a person is nervous, the body often feels uncomfortable, and body temperature will rise. Wearing clothing that is loose-fitting and breathable helps keep the body from getting too hot, which can trigger anxiety nausea.
  3. Drink water: with nausea and vomiting, the body loses liquids. Slowly drinking water can help you stay hydrated so you’re able to keep up your strength.
  4. Eat smaller meals during the day: eating small meals throughout the day means that there’s not as much food in the stomach to cause upset. This also helps keep sugar levels stable so a person’s energy level is stable, too. If vomiting, it’s best not to eat until you’re done. It’s best to eat dry foods like crackers or dry toast until the stomach has time to settle.
  5. Breathing: take long deep breaths when feeling nauseated. This calms the anxiety and the central nervous system.
  6. Self-talk: reassuring yourself that everything will be OK can help calm the anxiety. Remind yourself that the situation can be managed to calm the central nervous system.
  7. Avoid alcohol/caffeine: when anxious it’s best to avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase the heart rate, thereby increasing the anxiety.
  8. Avoid physical activity: when nauseated, avoid physical activity. While exercise does help decrease anxiety, it only serves to increase existing nausea. Instead, try to find a calm place to relax.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you’re anxious frequently and find yourself becoming nauseous more often than not, it is important to seek help. A therapist can help you identify techniques to decrease your anxiety and improve your wellbeing. Using a free online directory, you can find a therapist by location, expertise, price, etc. Once the therapist is chosen, they can help identify the best form of treatment to employ moving forward.

Therapy for Anxiety

Here are two common types of therapy used to treat anxiety:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): this type of therapy helps change unhelpful thinking patterns. The person learns strategies to positively change their reactions to thoughts.
  • Psychodynamic therapy: this therapy addresses anxiety through self-reflection and self-examination. It might be useful for long term anxiety resulting from trauma or deep-seated emotional conflict.

Medication for Anxiety

There are several medications on the market today that can help decrease or control anxiety, including anti-anxiety medication and antidepressants.4 Talk to a doctor or psychiatrist about what medication they think will help you most.

Final Thoughts On Anxiety Nausea

Anxiety nausea is more common than you think. While many people suffer from it, it does not have to be debilitating. There are techniques to help control and manage your symptoms until they are gone. There are also professionals who can help you on this journey. If you or someone you know is experiencing anxiety nausea, seek help from a mental health provider.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for referrals by the companies mentioned below.

BetterHelp (Online Therapy) – BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you. Get Started

Online-Therapy.com – Receive help for anxiety. The Online-Therapy.com standard plan includes a weekly 45 minute video session, unlimited text messaging between sessions, and self-guided activities like journaling. Recently, they added Yoga videos. Get Started

Brightside Health (Online Psychiatry) – If you’re struggling with anxiety, finding the right medication can make a difference. Brightside Health treatment plans start at $95 per month. Following a free online evaluation and receiving a prescription, you can get FDA approved medications delivered to your door. Free Assessment

Headspace (Meditation App) – Headspace is the leading mindfulness and meditation app with over 70 million members. Headspace offers guidance and exercises for all skill levels, including beginners. Free Trial

Choosing Therapy’s Directory – Find an experienced therapist specialising in anxiety. You can search for a therapist by specialty, availability, insurance, and affordability. Therapist profiles and introductory videos provide insight into the therapist’s personality so you find the right fit. Find a therapist today.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for referrals by BetterHelp, Online-Therapy.com, Brightside, and Headspace

For Further Reading

  • Mental Health America
  • National Alliance on Mental Health
  • MentalHealth.gov

Anxiety Nausea Infographics

Can Anxiety Cause Nausea? Can Anxiety Cause Nausea? Can Anxiety Cause Nausea?

4 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA. American Psychiatric Association.

  • Gupta, N. (2021). “Stress and stomach pain: Should you see a specialist?” U Chicago Medicine. At the Forefront -Gastrointestinal. Retrieved from https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/gastrointestinal-articles/stress-and-stomach-pain-when-should-you-see-a-specialist

  • (2021). “What is the link between anxiety and nausea?” Medical News Today. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326391

  • (2022). :Generalized Anxiety Disorder: When Worry Gets Out of Control” National Institute of Mental Health (NAMI). Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad

Recent Articles

How to Help Someone with Anxiety
How to Help Someone With AnxietyIf someone you love is experiencing anxiety, there are many relatively simple steps to take to be proactive and more
';
Best Anxiety Books for Teens in 2022
Best Anxiety Books for Teens in 2022Teen anxiety can look like negative self-talk, sudden shyness, avoiding activities that once brought happiness, and/or reckless behaviors, but more
';
Acute Stress Disorder: Signs, Symptoms & Treatment
Acute Stress Disorder: Signs, Symptoms & TreatmentAcute stress disorder is diagnosed when symptoms occur directly after the trauma but resolve within one month, while PTSD more
';
How to Stop Worrying About Everything 18 Tips
How to Stop Worrying: 18 TipsIf worrisome thoughts have become a constant in your life, you can take steps to stop worrying. Certain techniques more
';
Childhood Trauma: Types, Causes, Signs, and Treatments
Childhood Trauma: Types, Causes, Signs, and TreatmentsBy age sixteen, more than 67% of children will have experienced at least one traumatic event in their life. more
';
Quarter Life Crisis: Signs, Causes, & How to Cope
Quarter Life Crisis: Signs, Causes, & How to CopeA quarter life crisis can be a real and challenging event for some. People experiencing a quarter life crisis more
';
Vivian Ireton, LCSW Headshot
Written by:

Vivian Ireton

LCSW
Headshot of Kristen Fuller MD
Reviewed by:

Kristen Fuller

MD
  • What Is Anxiety Nausea?Definition
  • Why Does Anxiety Cause Nausea?Reasons
  • Tips On How to Stop Anxiety Nausea8 Tips
  • When to Seek Professional HelpGet Help
  • Final Thoughts On Anxiety NauseaConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Anxiety Nausea InfographicsInfographics
If you are in need of immediate medical help:
Medical
Emergency
911
Suicide Hotline
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Careers
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • No Surprises Act
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
Crisis Hotlines here
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
here
logo
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.
Choosing Therapy Logo
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit Cookie Settings to provide controlled consent. Cookie settings ACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

We use cookies to facilitate website functionality. Also, we use third-party cookies to track your website behavior and target advertising. These cookies are stored in your browser only with your consent, and you have the choice of opting out.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non Necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

Save & Accept