Anxiety making me unable to date

[alanastrums]

I've had anxiety disorder my entire life, but I've recently developed a new phobia around dating. I was in a bad relationship about six months ago. I got nauseous a lot around my ex (both because he smoked, which I'm apparently allergic to, and because he made me feel nervous and unsafe). Almost every time we got together, I became so sick that I threw up. Now I seem to associate dating with nausea, because I've had horrible anxiety attacks with intense nausea before and after any date I've gone on since. Even thinking about going out with someone makes me queasy and gives me jolts of panic.

I took several months off of dating, both to recover and in hopes that this would pass, but I'd really like to start getting out there again. Romantic relationships have always been important to me, and I hate the thought of not being able to date people because it causes me to be sick. I'm scared that this won't get better, and at best I'll just have to suffer with this new affliction and hope it doesn't ruin a potential relationship. I was wondering if anyone else has dealt with anything like this, and if there was anything you did that helped. I am seeing a therapist who thinks I can overcome this, but that it might take a while.

[london23]

what ever you do, dont put pressure on yourself to date, just remember dating is not an essencial thing in life...do it when it feels right again

[Cilantro]

The only thing I can think of is if you try "nothing serious" dates for a little while. With less pressure you might be able to start to relax, and that can snowball into a much bigger effect over time.