Why do I have a gut-wrenching feeling down my stomach after a friend told me something I disagree with, not physically, but emotionally?

Conflict is something that I am not good at. Other than making me breathe heavy and make my face hot, I usually walk away feeling hurt, anxious, and feeling small. Once my friend said something that I fully did not agree with. Before I even thought of a response, I could feel my ears get hot, and my stomach churn, I saw stars in my eyes, because I felt like what they are saying was so wrong. Instead of saying something to them, I started to avoid them and really have nothing to do with them. After about 3 months of this, I couldn't take it any more, I started the conversation with them as in remember 3 months ago you said this. They looked at me confused and couldn't remember at all. Well, then I felt even worse. Then my friend said, well if you disagree with something just speak up and we can talk about it. Of course this is the best case scenario. But ever since then, no matter how I feel, I speak up to put my point across

Gut-wrenching events or experiences make you feel extremely shocked or upset. [mainly journalism] Going to court can be an expensive, time-consuming, and gut-wrenching experience that is best avoided.A troubled intestine can send signals to the brain, just as a troubled brain can send signals to the gut. Therefore, a person's stomach or intestinal distress can be the cause or the product of anxiety, stress, or depression. That's because the brain and the gastrointestinal (GI) system are intimately connected. The connection between emotions and the gut can trigger symptoms in the stomach. Experiencing these emotions can trigger physical and chemical responses in the body that sometimes manifest as pain and discomfort. ... The butterflies in the stomach feeling is associated with the fight-or-flight response of the human body.

You could feel this way because you have your friend's best interest at heart and you don't want them to make the wrong choice. It is easy to put ourselves in our friends situations and think about how we would do things differently if we were in their position. It is normal to have disagreements in relationships. Reflecting on why you feel differently than they do could help you gain some insight. Think about why they might feel the way they do, and why you feel the way you do. This can help you identify why you are having a gut-wrenching feeling about the topic.

Because your emotions tend to form as a result of the values you hold as well as your thinking in general. If it's a deeply held value, then an equally strong emotional reaction to someone expressing disagreement with it is to be expected. I would advice you to not shun away from your emotions for the basic reason that an emotion is what it is even if you choose to evade it for whatever reason. Emotions are there to indicate where someone or something (an idea, for example) you encounter stands in regards to your own values or preferences, so they serve an important role in your life.

That’s your brain telling you something is wrong it signals the rest of you that what was said isn’t right with you it’s perfectly normal neurological response people often agree or disagree on issues it’s perfectly normal to have this happen I have this happen all the time deep down you don’t approve of what’s going on that’s totally normal and you may need address this issue with your friend if it keeps bothering you that way it doesn’t come up again and they know it will also strengthen your friendship as well expressing your self to them will help

It may be that you fundamentally disagree and it is painful to feel that "betrayal" or disillusionment of who that person really is or what they stand for - but this does not mean that you cannot be friends. It is okay to feel this way, but it may be something you have to discuss with them or something that you avoid discussing in the future. It all depends on if you feel personally offended but can or cannot move forward. This should not be something that weighs heavy on you in each interaction, otherwise you may not be able to move forward in this friendship.

It is normal to feel this way when something someone says or does doesn't match our expectations or ideas. As we are humans, we are allowed to feel. This does not mean the other person knows about your feelings, so you should communicate always. Don't keep anything that hurts to yourself because this never solves the problem and can make it grow. In case the person is not willing to talk or hear your opinion out, seek shelter in someone who will listen and comprehend you. You have to remember you deserve better than people who don't value you.

From our primitive days, our bodies are physically wired such that when our brains perceive a threat it will send messages around to prepare for the 'fight or flight' response. Increase in adrenaline, heart rate, changes to digestion, etc... So there are real physical changes that happen on account of these emotions. How we perceive things in our brains can have a lot to do with past experience and trauma, some we may not even still remember. But that does not make it any less real. The neural pathways are still there that will effect these changes. A lot of what we deal with in today's society does not require such a response any more, but it's still in our physiology.

That feeling might be a representation of guilt or shame towards disagreeing, or perhaps just disgust towards the opposed comment. The former came result in never being allowed to disagree with something, so whenever the option comes available, your emotions are "wanting" to disagree, but it doesn't sit right in you. The latter would be a natural response, if it's something you disagree with compassionately - something that doesn't sit right in your value system or principles, and you know you cannot stand by it. Figuring out which one it could be, is important to be able to get use to the feeling, and eventually identifying it every time you want to disagree

It sounds like you're uneasy about the situation or opinion of your friend, and are wondering what to do about it. Without knowing specifics, I can't say for sure, but I do empathise, that pain can be as real as a physical pain, like you've swallowed something really heavy and uncomfortable. In my case, I often feel this when someone I love/trust tells me something which makes me re-evaluate our relationship, and that's a very tough thing to do, but relationships change and grow, or sometimes come to an end depending on what the situation is. Only you can make the decision on what to do next, but I wish you all the best.