The Student Room Group

Anxiety (of stomach) before starting new job

Hey Guys!
Coming on here to hear some similar stories / for some advice.
From the past 7 years, I've had a weird fear of being in silent situations with other people because my anxiety shoots up and affects my stomach, which starts bubbling/rumbling. Due to this, I had to get a doctor's note to sit my GCSE exams in a different room with less students than in the main hall (which helped a lot). Although my A Level exams went well despite sitting in the main hall. As an adult now, from what I've gathered, I tend to get stomach anxiety only in silent situations where I'm in a room with a bunch of people. It's even worse when I'm in a new environment with new people - a fear that has been lurking recently as I am just about to start a new job where I'll have lots of meetings a.k.a sitting in quiet rooms. I've never taken professional help or any medication for this anxiety as it's normally short lived while I get used to a new situation, as it normally sorts itself out as I get used to my surroundings. Also, during meetings/presentations, I tend to find that when we're not paying attention to one person speaking or when we're asked to discuss and talk about something, suddenly my stomach anxiety disappears! But then it comes right back when the room becomes quiet again.
Every now and then, I recall some of my worst stomach noises from the past and I get so freaked out at the thought of it happening again.
For anyone going through this - just know you're not alone. This is a valid concern and a very rational fear. For most people, including myself, it all comes down to mindset. It's our minds and bodies playing tricks. Unfortunately I have found no lasting remedies, only thing I do is keep a full bottle of water near me, sit near the exit in case I need to go outside, sit near the back, fidget around (e.g., "accidentally" keep kicking the table) to make noises to mask my stomach noises and just hope that the radio or the AC is on so that the noise in the room is loud enough.

Quick Reply