New here - Anxiety leading to panic attacks and eating disorder

[Pete.S]

Hi guys!

I'm 24 years old and I've had anxiety since I was about 10. My reaction to anxiety is - not being able to eat. I believe it's because I am afraid of puking in front of people and causing a scene.
It could be a new person I'm eating with, or a new place, or even if I have to do something that I've never done before, I just can't eat. I keep thinking about an important business lunch meeting, or a family event days in advance because I know I won't be able to eat.
Especially when I'm traveling, my mind goes into overdrive and I'm on a constant panic mode.

I hope I can gather some sort of support on here, and I would love to help other people out here too!

 

[Paintings_of_blue]

I am the same way especially with big family holidays or at work. I try to avoid it at work but then I decided to say screw it, if I choke, puke, or don't look nice while I eat.. it's life! No one is perfect and accidents always happen. Just take smaller portions and eat slower and focus on things around you (grounding yourself) instead of you eating and what could happen. I know that's hard, but try small steps. What about eating out at a fast food place where you can leave if it becomes too much? Then go to sit down restaurant and focus on what you're talking about with the other person. Remind yourself that it will be ok (even if you have to keep saying that throughout the entire time in your mind!) Hope I helped a little bit.. there is no perfect fix.. but know if you're that uncomfortable you can always say you have a phone call or don't feel well and can leave! And you're definitely not alone!

 

[Pete.S]

I never thought I'd come across someone with the same problem! Thank you for your suggestion! May I ask if you're mantra worked? Do you travel in peace and ear fine? Even if it's small portions?

I am the same way especially with big family holidays or at work. I try to avoid it at work but then I decided to say screw it, if I choke, puke, or don't look nice while I eat.. it's life! No one is perfect and accidents always happen. Just take smaller portions and eat slower and focus on things around you (grounding yourself) instead of you eating and what could happen. I know that's hard, but try small steps. What about eating out at a fast food place where you can leave if it becomes too much? Then go to sit down restaurant and focus on what you're talking about with the other person. Remind yourself that it will be ok (even if you have to keep saying that throughout the entire time in your mind!) Hope I helped a little bit.. there is no perfect fix.. but know if you're that uncomfortable you can always say you have a phone call or don't feel well and can leave! And you're definitely not alone!

 

[Paintings_of_blue]

The more I've ate in front of people the easier it got. Once I'm finally eating, my nerves usually calm down and I see it's all my anxiety that was telling me all these awful things that never actually happen. If I'm ever way too nervous to eat for some reason I'll usually say I've had a big breakfast but will just drink something while everyone else eats. Best thing is we're adults so no one can force us to eat if we don't want too! Then I'll eat once I'm comfortable again.

 

[XmasCarol52]

Hi guys!

I'm 24 years old and I've had anxiety since I was about 10. My reaction to anxiety is - not being able to eat. I believe it's because I am afraid of puking in front of people and causing a scene.
It could be a new person I'm eating with, or a new place, or even if I have to do something that I've never done before, I just can't eat. I keep thinking about an important business lunch meeting, or a family event days in advance because I know I won't be able to eat.
Especially when I'm traveling, my mind goes into overdrive and I'm on a constant panic mode.

I hope I can gather some sort of support on here, and I would love to help other people out here too!

Hi and welcome I wish I couldnt eat but let me tell you sometimes when my anxieties are very bad if I eat just a little I develop a panic attack I do not know if it is something in the food that I eat or not sometimes my heart starts racing to then i feel like I cannot breathe do you feel like that too? I absolutely hate eating in front of other people because I am afraid they will laugh at me for the way I eat.I also have a very nervous stomach and sometimes just eating makes me sick.Especially when I have to go and see a doctor.For me I need to lose weight but sometimes I eat because I am bored or just plain depressed.

 

[janemariesayed]

Hi guys!

I'm 24 years old and I've had anxiety since I was about 10. My reaction to anxiety is - not being able to eat. I believe it's because I am afraid of puking in front of people and causing a scene.
It could be a new person I'm eating with, or a new place, or even if I have to do something that I've never done before, I just can't eat. I keep thinking about an important business lunch meeting, or a family event days in advance because I know I won't be able to eat.
Especially when I'm traveling, my mind goes into overdrive and I'm on a constant panic mode.

I hope I can gather some sort of support on here, and I would love to help other people out here too!

Hiya there Pete and welcome to our community. I don't have a problem with eating in public, but I do have a problem with going out in public. When I have to eat out it is a Godsend because it gives me something to do instead of making conversation.

Perhaps you can practice your table manners at home. Just make sure you sit upright and take small mouthfuls. Chew your food properly and use your knife and fork. If your nerves get the better of you, try sipping water as that may help the nausea to subside. If you feel really rough, then say you don't feel well and make your apologies and leave. I'm sure no one would hold that against you.

 

[Rinka]

Hi guys!

I'm 24 years old and I've had anxiety since I was about 10. My reaction to anxiety is - not being able to eat. I believe it's because I am afraid of puking in front of people and causing a scene.
It could be a new person I'm eating with, or a new place, or even if I have to do something that I've never done before, I just can't eat. I keep thinking about an important business lunch meeting, or a family event days in advance because I know I won't be able to eat.
Especially when I'm traveling, my mind goes into overdrive and I'm on a constant panic mode.

I hope I can gather some sort of support on here, and I would love to help other people out here too!

Hi @Pete.S welcome to our forum. I hope you will find the support here and that we can help you.
Please don’t be shy to sharing. Sharing is caring and we all care about each other here.

 

[Pete.S]

Thank you! Finding this community to share how I feel makes me feel better already.

 

[Pete.S]

Hiya there Pete and welcome to our community. I don't have a problem with eating in public, but I do have a problem with going out in public. When I have to eat out it is a Godsend because it gives me something to do instead of making conversation.

Perhaps you can practice your table manners at home. Just make sure you sit upright and take small mouthfuls. Chew your food properly and use your knife and fork. If your nerves get the better of you, try sipping water as that may help the nausea to subside. If you feel really rough, then say you don't feel well and make your apologies and leave. I'm sure no one would hold that against you.

The more I've ate in front of people the easier it got. Once I'm finally eating, my nerves usually calm down and I see it's all my anxiety that was telling me all these awful things that never actually happen. If I'm ever way too nervous to eat for some reason I'll usually say I've had a big breakfast but will just drink something while everyone else eats. Best thing is we're adults so no one can force us to eat if we don't want too! Then I'll eat once I'm comfortable again.

I just got back from a trip to Denver and I tried focusing on the positives and not let the negative thoughts fill my head. I actually ate out in front of people. I can't tell you how much this helps! Thank you for your support!

 

[Pete.S]

Hi and welcome I wish I couldnt eat but let me tell you sometimes when my anxieties are very bad if I eat just a little I develop a panic attack I do not know if it is something in the food that I eat or not sometimes my heart starts racing to then i feel like I cannot breathe do you feel like that too? I absolutely hate eating in front of other people because I am afraid they will laugh at me for the way I eat.I also have a very nervous stomach and sometimes just eating makes me sick.Especially when I have to go and see a doctor.For me I need to lose weight but sometimes I eat because I am bored or just plain depressed.

Hi carol, for me it's not so much the breathing, but the extreme nauseating feeling. My main problem with eating is worrying about puking in front of a crowd, which I did when I was young.

One thing to remember is, what other people think of you is none of your business. Sometimes when I feel like I'm being laughed at, I keep saying this phrase in my mind and it helps! As far as eating when you are depressed, I'd say stick to a workout and a meal plan and make sure you follow it. Maybe have a friend or a
Family member check on you if you are following your plan. Try it out for a month and see if it helps!

 

[XmasCarol52]

Hi carol, for me it's not so much the breathing, but the extreme nauseating feeling. My main problem with eating is worrying about puking in front of a crowd, which I did when I was young.

One thing to remember is, what other people think of you is none of your business. Sometimes when I feel like I'm being laughed at, I keep saying this phrase in my mind and it helps! As far as eating when you are depressed, I'd say stick to a workout and a meal plan and make sure you follow it. Maybe have a friend or a
Family member check on you if you are following your plan. Try it out for a month and see if it helps!

I am sorry to hear that you once upchucked once and in front of a crowd,I am always afraid i may poop in my pants especially when I have to go and see a doctor it almost happened a couple of time I do wear underwear so if i do go it will be in my diaper ihate calling them diapers.Still I am afraid of that always happening to me.I cannot go anywhere actually without worrying about that.I do good for awhile on a diet then I get the urge to eat then i do sometimes it is fruit or peanut butter and sometimes it is bread or cookies,

 

[janemariesayed]

I just got back from a trip to Denver and I tried focusing on the positives and not let the negative thoughts fill my head. I actually ate out in front of people. I can't tell you how much this helps! Thank you for your support!

That is fantastic Pete. You see! We can do those things we think are impossible. If you do have a relapse, don't worry about it. Just try your best to keep your table manners and if you are ill, it's not your fault. I'm sure if you were ill, then everyone around the table would be jumping up and down to help you.

I threw up in public before. I was on a single decker green bus and the travelling made my stomach churn. When I got off the bus, I threw up in the waste bin next to the bus stop in front of everyone getting on and off the bus. I was so embarrassed. I don't let it bother me though, at least I was sick in a bin and not all over the floor! lol