eating and anxiety

[Nasal_Problems]

I have a tendency to get anxiety when I eat. I went out last night with my wife and got a bad case during dinner. Today when I went to lunch with my boss, I had anxiety again.

Anyone have any techniques for dealing with this?

[primetime21]

yup..i used to have panic attacks all the time..when i went out to eat. Could be the social aspect or something else..But it helps to tkae small bites..eat slowly and do this breathing technique.. breath in through the nose to a count of 4 making sure that ur stomach rises first then ur chest..then let it out in a count 3..

[snoozies43]

before you leave, try to picture a quiet space you like, something peaceful, or anything that relaxes you. when in the car relax your shoulders, and try to visualize this peaceful place. Do not take in all the sounds, visuals, and noises, or ever word someone says. This has helped me. And other things.

Good luck!,
Snooze

[ao23]

For some reason every time I over eat I feel some type of anxiety.  I dont know what it is but even before I get to the place I feel as though I am going to have an attack. Sometimes I get these feelings and sometimes I dont. I usually feel that because I might have had one two many sushi rolls my chest might explode or I may have a heart attack because of it.  Does anyone have this problem?

[thepixies]

Based on what I've read about my issues, I think the best advice is to make sure you force yourselves to realise that it's not a big deal. Eating can't harm you :)

Eating is nice.

If you have strange feelings, realise that they aren't a big deal. You are still sitting happily and nothing bad is happening, so why worry? Don't think about your feelings. Just eat and enjoy the taste.

Don't think about what might happen, because nothing will happen. Just realise that you are in a nice place and focus who you are with and realise that things are going fine.

You don't even need to focus on the eating. It's not like eating is a new thing. You don't even need to pay any attention to it. Just involve yourself in the conversation, and if nobody is talking to you, think about what is good on the movies at the moment, or think about sex or music or whatever your hobby is, or anything ... You don't need to focus on eating, other than to notice if it tastes nice, and then go back to thinking about something else.

And then think about how everything is going fine and that you have done well.

[thepixies]

Also if you are uncomfortable at being in whatever social situation, then this little guide helps. It's pretty much the same thing. It just makes you focus on the fact that you are having negative thoughts about something you needn't worry about. Because it's not like any of that can harm you or anything. So you just need to think about nice things instead and teach yourself not to worry.

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Mental+Health/Ten-things-to-do-when-panic-hits/show/76?cid=60

[JSGeare]

Seems to me that it is not the eating that gets to you, but rather, the eating WITH other people -a social encounter. How do you handle a bag of chips while in front of the TV? If that's true -the people part- then you do what I and many others did: small bites easy to chew and swallow, and chase them with a swallow water. Stay focused on the person you are with -ask them questions, get them to talk.

Funny thing, this is the way we SHOULD eat anyway -not wolfing food down in big gulps.

[dolphin845]

Sounds social to me too.  Because I have that as well.  I would get so nauseous and get myself so worked up,  I couldn't eat.  I just wanted OUT of there!
My doc suggested to not order a regular meal.  Maybe just go out with someone and just have coffee.  And next time (if that goes ok) get a piece of pie and coffee - something real small.
And if you have anything that calms you down like a benzo - that helps alot.  I know that's not the cure but at least it helps you cope with the situation.  
If it starts to get worse,  talk therapy might help also.