How to Tell If Nausea Is from Anxiety

Butterflies before a presentation? A pit in your stomach during bad news? Your digestive system and brain are more connected than you might think—and anxiety can genuinely make you feel queasy.

Can Anxiety Really Cause Nausea?

Yes. When your body enters fight-or-flight mode, stress hormones are released that affect your digestive system. The vagus nerve connects your gut to your brain, which is why emotional states directly impact your stomach.

Signs Your Nausea Is from Anxiety

• Nausea coincides with stressful situations
• Resolves when the stressor passes
• Accompanied by other anxiety symptoms (racing heart, sweating, worry)
• No other obvious cause (like food poisoning or illness)

When to See a Doctor

Seek medical attention if you experience:

• Nausea with chest pain (could indicate heart issues)
• Vomiting lasting more than 2 days
• Unexplained weight loss
• Severe abdominal pain

5 Tips for Anxiety-Related Nausea

1. Box breathing: Inhale 4 sec, hold 4 sec, exhale 4 sec, hold 4 sec
2. Belly breathing: Breathe deeply into your diaphragm
3. Journaling: Write out anxious thoughts to process them
4. Exercise: Regular movement reduces anxiety and improves gut health
5. Prioritize sleep: Poor sleep worsens both anxiety and digestive issues

Treatment at Next Step Psychiatry

If anxiety is causing ongoing physical symptoms like nausea, treatment can help. Dr. Aneel Ursani and Fathima Chowdhury PA-C provide comprehensive anxiety treatment for patients throughout Gwinnett County.