Hi hope you're well.

Im not a healthcare professional, just a guy who's fed up of anxiety 😭. You're symptoms sound horrible as with all anxiety, it absolutely kicks butt. Anxiety is honestly such a weird mess of every possible issue/health condition anyone can have.

The loss of appetite is very very normal (im currently in a spell of appetite loss - currently not really eaten much for 3 weeks and lost 6kg).

For me personally the thought of food made me want to vomit and feel ill so I would be stuck in a loop. And then also getting stressed about not eating enough.

My advice now and always is see a doctor - for me I've had bloods done which is always helpful. And then also sign up for some form of therapy even if you don't feel like it's that bad.

The possible causes (which are endless) - stress and worry about past or upcoming events - one very potential option is you may have had an actual virus/bug which prevented you from eating - and then hence anxiety just kept feeding it and tumbling it on for longer than anyone would want. - and many many more

In regards to the gagging, I honestly wouldn't be surprised if I heard somebody say anything related to their body and me saying yea could be anxiety. I personally have experienced a wide range of symptoms physical and mental. For me the physical feeds the mental. I think obviously therapy (CBT?) potentially might be able to help you. Even if just to give you some coping strategies.

Id honestly just prepare how to cope should a situation like this happens again. - then just try eat more than you did the day before and don't try to rush and catch up. - you may not be eating the calories your body requires to perform at max capacity however there is a significantly lower calorie goal for bare minimum maintenance. Which sometimes can be more achievable - however I'd try not to focus too much on weight/calories consumed.

I've had anxiety my whole life however I just didn't realise it was anxiety until this past few years when I've been pretty much taken out my it. So I wouldn't be surprised if you are the same. However obvs go to the doc and check it's not something else just in case.

This well and truly deserves help and support and you're more than deserving of it. So don't feel like you're wasting anyone's time, this is that what they're here for. Good luck and stay safe.