I've got better at this over the years but sometimes I really can't tell if my n* is being caused by anxiety or by 'the real thing'
Some ways I try to tell if I'm actually ill or just anxious:
- I think about the likelihood of me having a bug.. have I been exposed? Are we in summer or winter? Do I have any other symptoms?
- I think about the likelihood of FP... have I eaten anything that wasn't safe? Do I have stomach ache or D*? Does my boyfriend feel ill?
- Is the n* coming from my throat or stomach? If the n* is coming from my throat then it's probably anxiety
- Are my safety behaviours (nibbling crackers and sipping water) making the n* worse or better?
- How long have I been feeling n*? If I were going to v* would it have happened by now?
How do you guys tell what is causing your n*?