Eating Causes Panic Symptoms?

*Francesca* · Post by ***Francesca*** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:35 am

Sometimes, quite often actually, whenever I eat I start getting symptoms of panic and it sometimes leads to a full blown panic attack.

It happens right away while I'm eating, so I don't think it's what I'm eating that's causing it because the food hasn't had a chance to get into my system.

Does this happen to anybody else and do you know why??

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:36 am

this happens to me a lot. i'm not quite sure why yet though.
are you thinking of anything in particular before you start to eat? like are you self concious of people watching you or do you worry about your weight?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:46 am

*Francesca* i can relate to the having anxiety when eating and sometimes gettign full blown panic attacks from it. I have a fear of food allergies. So everytime I eat no matter what it is, I get an itchy mouth and throat. Then the anxiety starts and my throat or starts feeling likes it closing up or I can't breathe. Everytime it has been anxiety. So I think cole2458 is right, try to figure out what you are thinking about right before you eat or as you are taking your first few bites. Once you realize what you are thinking that is causing the anxiety, you will be able to control with positive self talk.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:51 am

I have a bit of this as well. For me, I think it is associated with guilt when I eat things I know I shouldn't. I was already adhering (somewhat) to a diet like Lucinda talks about, so when I eat poorly, I feel guilty and it causes anxiety. It sucks, but I think it is probably pretty normal. I don't know if that is what you have going on, but this is my experience.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:52 am

Well, because I've lost my appetite for months now, quite often I have to force food down and I am afraid of it coming back up, which it never does. So during those times I can understand why I might start to feel some of my symptoms of anxiety. But a lot of the time it happens when I'm hungry and WANT to eat, but then the symptoms start and I have to stop eating while I'm still hungry because it feels like my throat is closing in on me and my throat muscles start to do something that feels like they're pushing the food up instead of down. It's hard to explain.

I don't have any guilt about eating or what I'm eating, and I don't have a weight problem. Because of anxiety I've lost 35 pounds in a couple of months so now I'm a bit underweight.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:06 am

My guess is that you are worried about eating. Because it has been hard for you because of your anxiety, it automatically triggers anxiety when you start to think about food. By the way, I read your post, Francesca (what a beautiful name by the way) in a response to someone who posted about losing weight. You posted about the ADD diet. While you post was hilarious, I know how serious you are. I have been dealing with the same issues. I create anxiety knowing I should eat but I can't (nausea, etc.) on top of all the other anxiety going on in my life - then bam..it's worse. Have you tried choking down nutritional shakes (i.e. Ensure)? I do when I can't eat. Then I have the peace of mind that at least I'm getting some nurishment. Maybe if you do this, it will take some of the anxiety away from knowing you must eat.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:10 am

That is similar to what happens with me. It also sounds like a symptom of GERD, acid reflux. If I wait too long to eat and my stomach is completely empty, once I start eating it feels like my food is coming back up my esophagus and I have to kind of hold my breath. Then I get the tight feeling in my throat, the panic, etc. If I frequent small meals this helps. I know how frustrating it is I have lost a lot of weight and now I am too skinny. I was little to begin with. I hope this helps some. I know it is scary, I deal with it everyday as well.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:16 am

I'm glad you liked my ADD diet, Improudofwhoimbecoming LOL. Maybe you're right, my symptoms could be subconscious when I think I'm perfectly fine and want to eat. I can't drink nutritional supplements like Ensure because they DO make me gag lol.

Shelly, thanks for your reply too. It really is a frustrating thing to go through especially when you're trying to eat because you've lost so much weight and need the nutrition and calories. Arrrgh!

While I don't wish this on anybody, it's comforting to know I'm not alone and that others experience this too. Thank you all for responding.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:29 am

I do not really get panic attacks when I eat. I just do not have an appetite. I have also found that I cannot get down Ensure, etc. My sister, who has liver disease, got me hooked on homemade fruit smoothies, and they have helped me maintain my weight. I will use V8 Fusion strawberry/banana type, protein powder, yogurt or ice cream, fresh bananas, frozen strawberries, and ice. You can add just about anything you like to them. Mix them together in a blender and they taste wonderful, plus you get all the vitamins and nutrition that you need. I find that they give me much more energy also. At first it was hard for me to do it. I would drink just a little bit, but it back in the fridge, and then go back and drink a little more. Now it is part of my morning ritual. Hope this helps some.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 8:14 am

Yea I get that all the time! I think it has something to do with not being able to breathe and swallowing for me and my stomach problems but I always start to panic while I am eating I don't get it. But hey we all gotta eat!!! Its unavoidable so just try to calm down i know its hard but you can do it!