breathing, swallowing ... I need help

[lotus]

I think I'm developing something like a choking phobia ... everytime I eat or drink, I think that I may choke on the food or liquid, I get panicky, my breathing becomes irregular and it seems that my swallowing reflex just doesn't want to work! I can't swallow whatever is in my mouth, and I feel like I want to spit it out! This is a huge stress for me. It's especially hard when I have to eat or drink in front of another person, when I'm alone it's a bit easier. It also happens when I'm not eating or drinking ... sometimes I feel like I just can't swallow, I don't feel a lump in my throat or anything like that, I just feel that my swallowing reflex doesn't work. Maybe this happens because I'm conscious of it, I think about it, instead of letting it happen naturally. Any advice? How do I cope with this? Is this normal if you have panic disorder?

[Meg]

Hi Indie

Its fairly common symptom. Some peope develop this and others develop other types of symptoms.

Try to think of it as part of the disorder and not let it develop into an obsession.

MORE HORRID SYMPTOMS!!!! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1957)
Swallowing / throat problems / Being strangled! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4476)
What has suddenly changed, feel awful! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3518)
Really frightend of Swallowing, (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3576)
A strange one, anyone else experienced similar?? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3741)
throat !!! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3857)
Strange Lump in Throat (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3929)
Throat, improvements, questions (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4008)
Problems with eating and Swallowing, (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4175)
update on throat problems (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4270)
Swallowing fear (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4341)
Horrible Throat Feelings! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4396)
Finally admitted what the problem is! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4725)
Another scared one (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4770)
Strange symptom that comes with anxiety (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4771)
New here and suffering from anticipatory anxiety (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3018)
eating & breathing (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3589)
Really frightend of Swallowing, (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3576)

As you can see you are not alone.



Meg
www.anxietymanagementltd.com

Your anxiety is the human representation of the pictures that you paint using your many vivid colours of revolving and reoccurring thoughts.
How big is your gallery ?

[helen__w]

Hi Indie

I am experiencing exactly the same thing as you! I know how you feel when you spit the food out - I am only having liquids at the minute as I cant cope with any kind of lump in my mouth.

You will find lots of help and support on here - please feel free to PM if you want to chat

Take care

Helen x

[henri]

hi indie,
i had this for ages. i had all my food blended and gradually started eating solids again. i also got a doctor to explain to me how exactly we swallow and breathe. sadly, i can't really explain it here as i don't remember all the details, but having someone explain it to me really helped.
henri x

[mjh74]

Hi Indie,

Don't worry, it is purely anxiety related. I am still getting it where I can't summon a swallow and it makes me feel panicky as my throat feels like it's locked. I swig back some water and hold it in my mouth until the swallowing mechanism allows me to swallow it again. I put so much concentration into my throat that it feels painful and uncomfirtable most of the time but I know that all my symptoms are anxiety related and nothing more...

Mark

[denise84]

hi, im also going through the same thing with trying to swallow food, and im sure it is because we are concious of it as i can swallow no probs when im not realy thinking about it like when im talking to some one or what ever, so dont worry about it and just try not to think too much about it.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

dmcgovern

[eeyorelover]

I had the same problem and for a while didn't even want to try to swallow saliva (sorry that's gross to talk about). But I found that if I would drink or eat while my mind was occupied that I could swallow just fine. I love to read so I would always eat and drink stuff while enjoying a good book. I know it sounds weird but it worked for me. Now I can eat whatever I want (which is why I've gained some).

[lotus]

Thank you all for your replies, they helped.

[mjh74]

Nigel, that is an excellent Analogy, so very true! I had never looked at it like that before....


Mark