RetailMoth
16-07-20, 01:56
This is a bit embarrassing for me to talk about.
Three years ago, I had a late-stage allergy development to something I had previously eaten just fine on a regular basis. I was out in public. My tongue swelled up and I was terrified I was going to suffocate. I didn't need to be admitted to a hospital, thankfully. But ever since then, I've been terrified of eating.
I look at every dish I've eaten before with suspicion. I look at new dishes with genuine fear. I had a literal panic attack when I thought a dish I was eating in a restaurant had come into contact with a plate of my allergen. (Fortunately, it hadn't. The chefs were very careful about cross-contamination, especially after I warned them off my allergy. But I just saw that other plate being brought out and I just panicked.)
It's causing difficulty for both my loved ones and for myself. I hate that I'm too afraid to eat my favorite foods now, and that it takes me so long to eat in general. Meanwhile, my loved ones are frustrated that I'm so wary. They understand why, of course, but I can tell this is putting a bit of a strain on them.
How can I better manage my food anxiety? Does anybody have some kind of advice, or was in a similar situation?
Three years ago, I had a late-stage allergy development to something I had previously eaten just fine on a regular basis. I was out in public. My tongue swelled up and I was terrified I was going to suffocate. I didn't need to be admitted to a hospital, thankfully. But ever since then, I've been terrified of eating.
I look at every dish I've eaten before with suspicion. I look at new dishes with genuine fear. I had a literal panic attack when I thought a dish I was eating in a restaurant had come into contact with a plate of my allergen. (Fortunately, it hadn't. The chefs were very careful about cross-contamination, especially after I warned them off my allergy. But I just saw that other plate being brought out and I just panicked.)
It's causing difficulty for both my loved ones and for myself. I hate that I'm too afraid to eat my favorite foods now, and that it takes me so long to eat in general. Meanwhile, my loved ones are frustrated that I'm so wary. They understand why, of course, but I can tell this is putting a bit of a strain on them.
How can I better manage my food anxiety? Does anybody have some kind of advice, or was in a similar situation?