is is an anxiety attack?

For the past few months i have been seeing this fantastic man. The only problem is that ever now and again he freaks out. he worries himself into being sick. he says he has these arguments in his mind and he cant talk imself out of them. he says he's had it his whole life. I just dont know how to help him and it limints us to situations that dont upset him. he wont come and see me when im at university and we went away for his birthday and he closed down half way through dinner and kept running off to the toilet. last month we were going bowling with his friends and he spent the hour before being sick.
are these anxiety attacks and how can i help him?

Hi Gerkin

It sounds like your man may well be suffering from anxiety but I would urge him to visit his doctor for a physical check-up to rule anything else out.

Regards
Chris

Hi

Speaking from experience I think it probably is anxiety. I used to be sick often when I was anxious, especially after meals and in social situations. I'm not as bad now but it's got to the stage where I am anxious about being sick. I would watch he doesn't get stuck in a cycle, but it sounds like it could be getting to that stage already.

Gill

i think it is already at that stage of worrying about being sick. he says when he thinks that we are going out with his friends in a few days he worries about whether he is going to worry about it while we are there. his mother suffers from the same thing and told him that when she was younger they tried to send her away when she told her doctors but she refused to go and so no he thinks someone is going to give im drugs or send him away. i know its not hat serious yet but what is the doctor likely to do and will it help if i offer to go along. i just dont want him to make light of whats going on. also what is the best wayto convincee him to go to the doctors. thanks for your time

Hi Gerkin

Things have probably changed a lot since his mother was diagnosed and psychological illnesses are no longer treated by sending people to sanatoriums, and nobody will force him to take medication.

I can't quite gather from your messages whether he has a fear of being sick (emetophobia) or he is being sick because of another phobia. If it is emetophobia, there are other sufferers in this forum who will probably offer their own words of advice in good time. I know that this can be treated effectively with counselling and/or hypnotherapy. If he is being physically sick because of his anxiety then it's possible that he needs anti-emetic drugs to help him (combined with other therapies for the underlying anxiety).

Doctors are much more receptive to patients with psychological issues these days and, as more and more people come forward to report their symptoms, the stigma of psychological illness is diminishing - as it should. The doctor will probably recommend a combination of anti-depressant drugs and counselling to help and the ultimate decision is with the patient. Personally, I would recommend that you go along with him for support and also to enable you to familiarise yourself with the problems he might face.

I really hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck.
Chris

thanks for all of your time and advice. i really appreciate it :)