Physically sick

Is it possible that the sight or voice of someone can make you physically sick? I've never experienced this. I suffer from depression, PTSD, and I'm slightly bi-polar. I am not looking for judgements, but I currently live in a marriage situation that is not a happy one. He likes to start arguments and make comments just to make himself feel better. He is a narcissist in which everything has to revolve around him. I have 3 kids, no family, no friends, no money/car and we live in a small town so there's really no help in getting away from him. But after the last argument, I now physically get sick and cannot hold anything down. I really don't know what to do anymore. I don't work and can't because he uses the car to go to work. I know I have to get away from him, but there's really nothing that I can do at this point. I do have long-term plans but, it will be at least another year before I can put it to work. Until then, I'm completely lost. Thank you for taking the time.

Hello DarkenedSoul: I'm so sorry you are in such a difficult situation. Sure... I think it's perfectly possible for the sight or sound of someone to make you physically sick... maybe not in the sense of having an illness. But the fear & anxiety that can be provoked in such a situation can certainly make one anxious, nervous, nauseous, dizzy & probably other things as well. I would suspect it would not be that much different than having a panic attack. And when this type of experience occurs over-&-over it can, I would presume, become such an ingrained physical response that nothing need even happen for that ill feeling to occur. At least these are my thoughts with regard to this.

By the way, are you familiar with the National Domestic Violence Hotline? (I'm assuming you're in the U.S. here, of course. I don't know if, or to what extent, they serve people outside the U.S.A.) 1 (800) 799-7233 Perhaps there is no physical abuse occurring in your marriage. However, as you know all too well, there are other varieties of abuse in addition to physical violence. Perhaps the National Domestic Violence Hotline can be of some assistance as you plan out your future. I wish you well...

Yes, it has happened to me. It is awful. I become dehydrated. You deserve to be happy. I hope you can find it.

Yes I've been so upset that I got sick. Usually the site of my ex will do the job. It was a very hostile relationship. Anxiety can definitely make you sick. Please take care of yourself hun and work on your plan to get out. I've been to hell and back with this sort of stuff. It's serious and it's dangerous.

Thank you all. I am working on doing what I can. I've been in this relationship for a little more than 18 years and it's never been this bad. I've had anxiety issues a lot where I get chest pains and nose bleeds. But never vomiting, nausea, etc.