Somatic OCD

I’m curious if anyone else has experienced this, and if they have any advice. For about five years now I’ve been struggling with feeling uncomfortable when my stomach is full or has any water in it because I fixate on the difference in feeling. Because of this, I often feel nauseous when I have food in my stomach and I end up preferring to not eat until the end of the day so I don’t have to go about my day and interact with people feeling nauseous. Unfortunately this also makes me throw up often because I have health OCD and I get nervous that the nausea is because there’s something wrong with my body. I understand that this presents a lot like an eating disorder but I can tell that it’s related to my OCD and I’m not sure how I can break focus from this cycle. I’m also always dehydrated because I don’t like to drink water since I don’t like the way it feels in my stomach. I feel like I can trust that I won’t feel this feeling when I just continue this, but it can’t keep being this way. I hate always feeling uncomfortable in my body and I want to be able to go out to eat without being constantly distracted by the way it feels—and if I’m gonna throw it up because I feel nauseous and like something’s wrong with me. I’d like to know if anyone else feels uncomfortable with the way it feels when there’s food or water in their stomach. Does anyone have any tips of how to distract themselves from such a feeling or break the pattern?

Nphoof

Date posted: 15h

Perlena, I know how you feel exactly. I struggled with this same thing. I would eat very light throughout the day to avoid feeling full because it would make me nauseous as well. I’ve tried to practice limiting my activity after I eat and sit with the full feeling. I would remind myself that I’m not nauseous I’m just full, and that it’s a good thing. I would sit with the idea that I’m nourishing my body, and try to imagine the food that I ate healing my body as it’s digesting. After about 30 minutes the food would settle and start to digest so I wouldn’t feel as nauseous. I would do this thought exercise every time I felt that way. I would tell myself I just have to get through the first 30 minutes of digestion after eating and I would be okay. I’m sorry you’re struggling with this. I know this might not work for everyone but it helped me get through the hard days. I hope it can help a bit. 💕

Delaney

Date posted: 7h

I’ve lived with OCD and emetophobia (fear of vomiting) for years now, and have definitely had periods of restricting food out of fear of throwing up or eating only “safe” foods (usually bland things like crackers, plain rice, toast, etc.) My best advice is that any food is better than no food at all, even if it’s one cracker, and very small sips of water over time can feel more manageable and not make you get that sloshy stomach feeling. Since you’re struggling with food, small sips of electrolyte solutions (pedialyte, water with liquid IV

Delaney

Date posted: 7h

@Delaney (Sorry, it posted before I was ready!) small sips of electrolyte drinks might be a good idea to help you stay hydrated and replenish some of the minerals you’re struggling to get through food. Also, I find that I get more nauseous when my stomach is completely empty or my blood sugar is low, so adding some sugar to whatever you’re sipping on might also help you feel a bit less nauseous by keeping your blood sugar up. More frequent but smaller amounts of food are usually easier for me when I’m struggling to get enough nutrition, and any food is good food when you’re struggling to eat (even if it’s not “healthy”. Something is better than nothing!) I also find it easier to drink than to eat, and if you do throw up, liquids tend to pass through your system faster than solids so you absorb more of them even if you do throw up right after. Best of luck with everything you’re going through, and if you need any more ideas or advice let me know :)

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