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Obsessive swallowing...


Hi, I keep swallowing and thinking about when I'm swallowing.

I HATE it. Sometimes it goes away and sometimesit gets so bad my stomach feels sick.

It came on me suddenly, I hope it's more a physical and not a mental problem.

19 Responses
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Avatar universal
Hello, I have the problem too, can we make friends. I'm a Chinese, so forgive my poor English. My e-mail address is ***@****.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Hi, it is good to speak with someone Who understands the problem. Since when do you have it? Bye koala
Avatar universal
I have made this fb page to contact rach other and make a group therapy online
************/salivacontrolocd

hope you all join
Good luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have made this fb page to contact rach other and make a group therapy online
************/salivacontrolocd

hope you all join
Good luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey, I had this problem for years really bad but now since therapy and a lot of facing my fears about it, it has dissipated enormously to the point where I can live my life the way I want.  I realise now that it was never really about such things as the blinking and swallowing but all to do with the thoughts and fears behind it which can be worked through like any other obsession.

It does not seem this way, primarily because it is just so easy to think about blinking or swallowing and whenever you do the mind just goes straight back on it and you instantly become hyperaware of it; then instantly all the fear and stress come back to the point where even when it is at the back of your mind it is still there.  The problem is so hypersensitive that it just seems completely impossible to be free of it.

The way I got better was by facing all the thoughts, fears, and incredible levels of stress without trying to stop thinking about the sensorimotor action (the more you want to stop thinking of something, the more you think of it) and just letting it all in without trying to do anything with it

I would definitely recommend going to see a psychologist and asking about exposure and response therapy and other skills such as mindfulness (learn to start watching the fearful thoughts about the sensorimotor problem such as 'What if I never get my mind off this' rather than constantly following them).

For me trying to find a complete cure where I would never have my problems again was one of the worst things that kept my problem going.  My mind still has the ability to be very hyperaware of sensorimotor functions but over time I have learnt not to fear it anymore, therefore the thoughts and hyperawareness do not last.  The hyperawareness and sensitivity to this problem seems to me to be fuelled by the obsessions behind it.  It took a while to  become less aware of the problems, but a continual facing of fears, surrendering to let the stress in openly, and 'not expecting to reach a place where the obsessions cannot get me' helped me a lot.

For me it was much less about finding an answer to make all my problems go away, and more about accepting the obsessions and that if I keep following them will only make it worse.

I wish everyone the most of luck.  Healing can happen - I used to be in a place where I thought suicide was the only way out of the extreme stress from blinking and swallowing hyperawareness but I have now found my peace with it.

Tim

Here are also some websites that I found very useful:
http://www.steveseay.com/category/conditions/ocd/body-focusedsensorimotor-symptoms/
and
http://beyondocd.org/expert-perspectives/articles/when-automatic-bodily-processes-become-conscious-how-to-disengage-from-sens

Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
You have posted on a really old thread.  You will probably have better luck if you start your own thread.  To do that, go back to the main OCD page, and click on "post a question".

Good luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, I have the same probleme since 12 years now. I am so happy to see, that I am not alone with it. One of my problems was, that i couldnt express my anger. I sort oft swallowed it. I made a cognitiv therapy that helped me to express myself and to accept my feelings. But the odc comes always back when i am stressed. I would be glad to share my thoughts with other people like me. I am really desperate.
Cleo
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, I have the same probleme since 12 years now. I am so happy to see, that I am not alone with it. One of my problems was, that i couldnt express my anger. I sort oft swallowed it. I made a cognitiv therapy that helped me to express myself and to accept my feelings. But the odc comes always back when i am stressed. I would be glad to share my thoughts with other people like me. I am really desperate.
Leo
Helpful - 0
2079692 tn?1332059063
i am going through the same ****, this is called sensorimotor OCD. i have the swallowing but the breathing and blinking affects me way more. i really wanna talk to someone else with this problem as i thought i was the only one, so comment back any of you if you wanna talk to someone whose going through the same ****. my names anthony im 17 btw
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey guys I'm back! Some of you talked to me and I just wanted to say I found a better way to get better I think because what I posted was a technique maybe a little too vague. I found this book that I'm reading that utilizes therapy that is recommended for us Pure Obessionals called Mindfulness CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). According to OCD LA it's a very effective method. it was also recommended on an OCD forum. Check her out:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1572244992/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

A therapist recommended this book but I'll stick with the one I chose out. It's less confusing looking but people swear that this helps:

http://www.amazon.com/OCD-Workbook-Breaking-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder/dp/1572249218/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330547015&sr=1-1

Just remember- the reason we're stuck focusing on this stuff is because we're anxious about them. Once that anxiety goes away, so does the problem. The mindfulness book helps you do that. Unfortunately, there's no quick fix out of here. Sorry to other posters but just relaxing and stuff won't help. The problem is we keep trying to avoid anxiety which makes it worse. You know, trying not to focus on it which makes it worse? Then you have spikes all day that draw you back! That book helps you to stop doing that. It's written for all anxiety disorders but know that it helps OCD too! I hope I helped! As for me reading it it'll probably take a while. Maybe a few months before I get better. Just read it and you'll see this can change your life! Scratch that- this WILL change your life! Warning: I am not a doctor or therapist and have no idea what the heck I'm doing but I'm sure this book is one great way to get better lol. Good luck!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I find I do it constantly at night especially when I'm @ rest. Its so annoying, I feel like ill stop breathing if I don't swallow. I'm looking for the complete feeling. Sometimes throat drops work or constant fluids. When I'm extremely anxiously it gets worse. Try to relax!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey guys! Hoping that I will be helping someone by them finding this page, I have found the solution in self therapy. Now if it seems too much for you obviously go to a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist who knows about OCD. Yes, my friend, I'm pretty sure you are experiencing OCD. I know I have it and had other symptoms in the past. Now the problem is we're focusing too much on trying to get rid of this problem by distracting ourselves, which is the compulsion. I prayed to God to help me find the right article online to help me and sure enough, I felt it was him who led me to a site that explained in detail a method called Exposure Response Therapy. Whether you have faith in God leading me there is another matter LOL but here's the link:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/OCD-Obsessive-Compulsive-3297/2010/1/swallow.htm

To summarize, basically you combat the obsession by purposefully focusing on it for an extended period of time attempting to be an impartial spectator, or not having any anxiety towards the problem, but instead interest and curiosity. I hope this helps someone out there. It also applies to other sensorimotor aspects like obsessive breathing, blinking, etc. Good luck! I'll post the web address again in case this site prevents it from showing, in which case i'll put spaces between each letter and you therefore must remove them.

h t tp : / / e n . a l l e x p e r t s . c o m / q / O C D - O b s e s s i v e - C o m p u l  s i v e - 3 2 9 7 / 2 0 1 0 / 1 / s w a l l o w . h t m

:) This is 100% treatable. Have faith in that, it helps a ton to reduce anxiety. In fact just reading this made me feel so much better that my symptoms are already reduced! As mentioned above, also look up "sensorimotor obsessions" to see what ocd chicago says about it, but my main link is super helpful. Good luck, man! it won't get better immediately but WILL get better soon! ;)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am 12. I dont want to tell my parents I have ocd because they already have other problems to handle with at home. At times its ok, and sometimes its horrible! I was having a long car drive with my best friend and I couldnt stop swallowing! I was so embarresed! I kept clapping my hands or something evertime I swallowed so she woulden't hear me. Evertime I watch a movie at school, Iam always swallowing. everybody is looking at me. When we were reading our books at school, I swallowed one time after another, I have the whole classes attention and i had to finally ask to go to the bathroom! I wish it would stop! Its interfearing with my whole entire life! I'm not being asked to go over to anybodys house anymore. At night I keep swallowing too! Im sure my family hears me! I've always been a shy person. But ocd is when you have a low self astime and you just want to swallow to calm your anxiety. I wish there was something else other than swallowing. I hate it. I once thought of suicide, but I prayed. God is my cure right now.I sometimes cry at night because I just wish I could be normal. I loved my old life, and I want it back. I cant say that god isn't answering my prayers, because I know that he is always there for me, but thats what it seems like. Any of you out there that is like me, I hjave some advice. Stay strong, and keep praying. There is a cure.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have this same thing and it came to me about 8 years ago.. it became so much worse with my benzodiazepine withdrawal, I WOULDNT RECOMMEND BENZOS FOR ANYONE!  Google SENSORIMOTOR OCD youll find an interesting document by ocdchicago.com.  In order to ease the pain for these problem I have done a lot of thinking and found some solutions, first of all what I do is I stick my tongue to the upper part of the mouth that sort of helps me. Also I tell myself repeatedly that I am LYING TO MYSELF making me think that I need to swallow because I feel saliva in my throat, it is just an intrusive, obssesive thought none of it is real which makes me think am I going schizophrenic for always thinking about something not real?  I dont take any medications after the whole benzo thing., anyways post your ways around this problem I havent found one true solution to it and the thing is that I think 100% of the time about it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i have the same problem and i'm 13 years old.i cant do work at school,i cant stop drinking water,and i cant sleep without choking.can somebody help we in curing it so i can sleep and do my work at school.
Helpful - 0
997670 tn?1297173071
Hi,  I know other  people with ocd who have the swallowing obsession, its just what your ocd latched onto.  everyones comments are excellent.  Meds, support group, and relaxation.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have this problem also.  try going for a swim on a routine basis.  treat yourself at night to a form of safe escape.  i watch a movie or half a movie.  (to relax yourself first take a hot shower)  i also take lexapro.  this may help (ask your doctor).   you may want to take a small amount of xanax prescribed by doc for a bit though i dont recommend routine use bc it does effect your memory.    i also recommend outdoor activity like taking a hike and get some sunshine.  

jason
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have the exact same problem as you and I've been dealing with it for close to 10 years now. The way I deal with it is 1) I take an antidepressant which helps to keep my mood stabilized 2) I see a cognitive behavior therapist, 3) I carry a water bottle with me almost everywhere 4) I try to stay busy and think positive as much as possible. I have yet to find a cure, but these steps are what have helped me to cope, I hope it helps you too. Keep me posted if you have found any other helpful strategies. Thanks, and good luck.
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Avatar universal
hey my friend, nonono, none of this OCD related stuff is mental or physical. I have my own set of OCD stuff Im wworking at piece by piece.  just try to distract your self with what you like to do.  read a book, dont focouse on things like that (believe me you are not weird if you are thinking that, its just somthing that your mind is set on to notice)  you need to maybe get out and jog, or do somthing exausting.

you are going to be ok!
Helpful - 0
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