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New wave of anxiety

SwearyCynSenior Contributor

New wave of anxiety

Hi all,

Has anyone been so overcome with anxiety that their throat has become tight and they're terrified to eat for dear of choking??

I was doing OK after my last post - thank you everyone for your support and great tips - and was making progress. I was eating better, getting some exercise in, and most importantly I was getting over my agoraphobia. On Thursday I did the 30 Min bus ride into the city and actually went to an event for an hour. We got home, and I was eating my dinner, and something scratched my throat and BANG!! I haven't been able to eat solid food since then. The thought of it terrifies me, I've been shaking for days. I nibbled in a biscuit this morning and had a full on panic attack.

My anxiety has always been around food. I've always been worried about contaminants. When I was 17 I didn't eat for ages because I was worried something would poison me or there would be glass in it or something. I was eating normally but it's always been in the back of my mind. I'm always extra careful preparing food. (I'm 42 now, it's been years of hell.)

But now I freak out about actually EATING! And forget about swallowing a pill. I'm freaked this will now hang around for the rest of my life. And why did this come on suddenly when I was finally getting somewhere?? Why?!

Has anyone else been through this and how did you get through it? And will it hang around forever??

I'm living on soup and meal replacement shakes, and doing lots of meditation. I'm so overwhelmed.

Thank you for listening xxoo

13 replies

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In response to: New wave of anxiety

outlanderSenior Contributor

Re: New wave of anxiety

its your anxiety @SwearyCyn it doesnt make it easy for us. have you been speaking to your psychlogist about your fears surrounding food and ways that might help you?

whats normal, no one is normal. each of us is different in out own unique way but i can see where your coming from as i think the same things quite often myself. for you it would be able to jsut eat normally. for me its to be able to walk out of the house without feeling overwhelmed

i hope hypnotherapy helps you, thatll be a really good thing, even if it takes a few sessions. jsut remeber things wont change overnight ok

and yeah i know exactly what you mean.

In response to: New wave of anxiety

jslaco27New Contributor

Re: New wave of anxiety

Hi @SwearyCyn,

I am brand new, and recently suffered from a panick attack. I have the same sensations that things are getting caught in my throat. I try to eat, and it feels like they are getting caught at the back of my throat. But it has been going on for almost two weeks! I wanted to check in and see if you have recovered from your symptoms. I hope all is well!

In response to: Re: New wave of anxiety

SwearyCynSenior Contributor

Re: New wave of anxiety

I'm sorry to hear this has happened to you, I know how frightening it is! I do still get that feeling, I know it's anxiety but sometimes when I'm tired or anxious, it still happens. Practice your grounding and meditation during the day to manage your anxiety, and always have a glass of water handy when you're eating, and take it slow. It will get better if you manage your anxiety overall, I promise. I found that EMDR therapy helped a lot with my GAD, and with this issue (I have a fear of medication so pills are not an option for me). It takes a while but it's amazing. Find a psychologist that does it and they can help a lot. It will get better, and remember it's your anxiety playing tricks on you, there is nothing physically wrong with you. I know how you feel and you will get through it 🙂
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