The whole cycle of my fear

[joapepe]

What a horrible two weeks i have had.. i have posted on here re:my swallowing problems before. been to the doctors and got meds. I am feeling better but have had a whole spectrum of weird feelings/symptoms. I am struggling still to understand why all my anxiety seems to focus on my throat and breathing..? I seem to go from, feeling like i can't swallow and having to force myself, feeling like my throat is closing up, feeling like i will swallow my tongue when i do swallow, feeling like i cant breathe and feeling like i will choke when i eat. I am in very good physical health so its not a medical issue. my stomach seems to churn all the time and i feel scared all the time. The anticipation is the worst thing, thinking what if? all the time. I am rarely calm. Has anyone any idea why im focusing on my throat and how i can stop it? why dont i focus on something else? it is not possible to stop swallowing> It can feel difficult when you have a dry mouth but in the end i always do swallow and breathe. I keep trying to rationalise with myself but its so tiring. I am fed up. How can i stop focusing on this? Does anyone else feel like this? i know i keep repeating myself but its just so awful to feel this way. my kids have been away with their dad but are back today and i hope so much that this will make me feel better...

[Nikjc]

Wondering how you are doing with the swallowing issues? I know oh too well what you mean. I have not eaten solid food for four months.....nothing but Boost and Ensure drinks! I am finding that after I choked on some food four months ago, the fear took over and I have convinced myself that I cannot eat! I know that it is all in my head. That is the saddest part! I find that I concentrate on swallowing my own saliva now! Crazy, it seems. I hate to say that it is nice to know that others suffer from the same type disorder. My fear stops me from even trying to eat, which scares me. I am trying not to stress that as well, so I simply try to keep busy, keeping my mind occupied, and try to get all of my nutients from shakes? Let me Know if you have found any relief?

[jman81]

well first i would recommend u to talk to a professional. but one thing u should do is take action without thinking about it, dont pause and think before swallowing or breathing, just do it. and if u worry afterwards then transition that thought immediately into something else that interests you. maybe you could keep your mind focused on things u enjoy and youll be doing these normal things like breathing and swallowing while ur thinking about them. im not really sure why this is what youre worried about. but everyone is different and we all have our own seemingly ridiculous thoughts. but like i said im not a professional, contact a professional.