Dr. Weekes suggests that when you go out for a meal only order food that is soft and easily digestible. There is an anxiety symptom that restricts the throat muscles thereby miking it difficult to eat when eating out. I agree, this can be so embarrassing and it's what causes so many to stay at home. But once again we come back to acceptance. The more we sit at the table getting all worked up the less chance we have to be able to eat. Why are we so concerned about what others think? It is a kind of misdirected pride. We may feel that others will think we are weak or strange in some way. OK!! Let them think it. That's their problem. YOU know what the cause of your trouble is and you are the only one who can do something about it.Thanks for sharing, I’ve gone through a phase where similar situations made me extremely anxious.
I also had a period of social anxiety back in 2013 at age 20. I was terrified to go to restaurants and eat in front of others. I can’t explain why this bothered me so much, but it got to the point I dreaded eating anywhere except for in the privacy of my own house.
Whenever I would sit down to eat, I’d immediately think about how embarrassing it would be for me to have to get up and run to the bathroom to be sick. The more I thought about that possibility, the more anxious I got. My racing thoughts would also include how guilty I would feel and if I would be considered rude for having to excuse myself from family or friends at the table. It was a nasty cycle of thoughts that really made things hard for me for about 4 months. At one point, I lost faith and thought I would never be able to eat in public again, and this would be a lifelong struggle.
I remember talking to my psychologist about it and we mutually decided I needed to increase my Luvox. The increase in medication helped considerably with the social anxiety and the urges to be sick. However, it made me a little drowsy and gave me an emotional “blah” effect. At least I was able to enjoy restaurants and going out to eat again.
8 years later, I am still doing quite well with this aspect of my social anxiety. I’ve had two setbacks in the past two months, but I haven’t let them discourage me too much.
Ohh, how are you doing now? Anxiety and stress is the most common mental illness nowadays. I can understand your feelings because I had an anxiety disorder a few years back, I was standing alone in life my family members were not ready to understand my problem, but luckily I have good friends they helped me a lot, they told me about coping strategies and how to do lifestyle changes to make my life in a better way. And I took counseling sessions and trust me it worked well for me.I have panic attacks and anxiety at restaurants and movie theaters and the church I try to avoid those things My face starts getting red and sweaty my heart racing
Thanks for asking. Things are mostly fine. The anxiety/phobia is more of a nuisance than anything. Typically I'll get a few thoughts at some point early in the day, and they will dissipate in a fairly short time. For most the day, no issues. But then, the following morning. It is more of a routine and has turned out to be manageable. I hope you are feeling better.Ohh, how are you doing now? Anxiety and stress is the most common mental illness nowadays. I can understand your feelings because I had an anxiety disorder a few years back, I was standing alone in life my family members were not ready to understand my problem, but luckily I have good friends they helped me a lot, they told me about coping strategies and how to do lifestyle changes to make my life in a better way. And I took counseling sessions and trust me it worked well for me.