Lack of Eating leading to Underweight issues and Depression

[Muscati]

I would be really grateful if you could help me out with regards to this issue. This is regarding one of my close relative . I am not sure whether this issue is related to depression or gastro issues. Let me begin her case history.
Ms. X 's issues began with eating problem. Always there was fear of  the food getting stuck in the oesophagus and she would always get scared of eating anything. the situation became so worse that her weight drastically reduced to about 10-12 kgs. We consulted a doctor who took all the important tests and said that there is no issues with her wind pipe or gastric problem. It is her psychological belief that whenever she eats it will get stuck in her windpipe and she will loose breath and will have other recurrent issues. Further we consulted a physciatist who started with seizure medicines for her like "clopin and nazet" she was on this medicine for 1.5 years. due to drastic weight loss and terrible mood swings and lack of eating. She stopped the medicines since last 3 months. As a result of which she is feeling really fearful that she will not be able to sustain without a medicine. Pls Pls Pls tell me what should we do now? Her current is issue is the same. She cannot eat anything. She will only take a few spoons of food if somebody is there with her.

[Muscati]

Thankyou so much dear friends for giving me feedback on this matter! It is indeed very supportive to atleast listen to such similar stories.
We've taken her blood test and done and endoscope test for her. All the test reports showed that she was healthy and no medical issues. All the doctor's responded saying that she has got to prepare her mind for this. No tablets or medicines can help with this. Since she has taken the depression tablets (nazet and clopin) for a couple of years. It will take her some time to recover from its hangover. However, everyone in the family is giving her morale support.I am writing with utmost concern, as she has lost interest in everything in life. It has come to the scene as to which she requires a person near her to eat even a few teaspoons of food(even water). Everytime she has got this feeling that the food will get stuck in her throat. Her husband has been very supportive. At times he says he needs to meet her during worktime. And it is becoming difficult for him to concentrate on his work. We've tried all our means to make her understand. But all in vain! W really hope she recoveres sooooooooooooonly :-)

[Nitsuj242]

Also yes you guys are on the right track in the way of getting her back on a good anxiety med that will help her with her fear of eating once she would feel relaxed enough.

[Nitsuj242]

Hello there, i'm no Dr. by any means but I would say get her bloodwork and to a GI and get her checked out for gastritis,diverticulosis, also maybe get her checked for pancreatitus just to play it safe. I mean does she have stomach pain? This issue with her not wanting to eat from fear of choking on her food or it getting into her wind pipe is VERY common for people with anxiety. I have this to. It's as if when our throats get tight from the anxiety it makes it difficult to swallow. I'm very sorry to here about her having to go through this. She is far from being the only one. I also go through this and have had food and pills get stuck in my throat making me panic wanting to call an ambulance. After that I've been so scared to eat or take pills to where I started eating soft foods like oatmeal. Please tell her that there is nothing to worry about that even if it gets stuck it will eventually go down as unpleasant and scary as this is. I've actually accidently inhaled food and was certain I was going to get a fatal lung infection and die from it. That was about half a year ago and no lung infection thank god. It is hard to deal with and hate to say it but maybe if she were to get it stuck and she realizes it does eventually go down maybe it would help her get over this fear to a point. Hoping she gets the help she needs. This really is awful and hellish to deal with. You can't enjoy eating the foods you always loved out of fear and when it comes down to it it's a psychological phobia;nonsense. I would say just get the serious stuff known to cause no appetite ruled out and get her to get blood work done to rule out any serious diseases. Hope this helped you and hope she gets better and over this fear.