Scared to eat today.

PriscillaLaine

Okay, so yesterday I was having quite a bad day. Not in terms of food, but in terms of my mind, I was very low, and as it started to get in to the evening, it started to get worse, and I was getting somewhat agitated.

Although I didn't want it, I made my dinner that night, but was struggling a lot to eat it. About a minute after I finished I had a major panic attack, lasting about half an hour in total.

Before anyone says anything, I know the panic attack had nothing to do with the food. Looking back I can see that the signs one was coming on for about a half hour before I ate, it just so happened to culminate during/at the end of the meal.

The thing is, all I can think of now is the feeling I had trying to eat my dinner. I was finding it hard to swallow, it was awful going down, I was almost in tears the whole time. (Again, it had nothing to do with the food itself, just the on coming attack). The memory of how bad it was trying to eat has made me terrified of eating today. I've got no appetite at all, and I'm so scared that I'll have another attack.

I don't really know what to do, because obviously I need to eat, but I fear the attack will now be associated with me eating.

I was just wondering/hoping if a similar thing had have happened to someone else, or if anyone has any advice?

amnsetie

try eating something totally different
if you were stressed when eating a cake, eat a piece of fruit,
if you were stressed when eating a stir fry, try a salad..


if you have anti anxiety meds take them before eating.
get in a good place
have your fave music etc on

fificrazy

Go out to your favorite restaurant, bring your favorite person, make yourself up so you feel comfortable, and order exactly what you like. You just have to recondition yourself to make it a positive experience! Even if you have to find a new place in your house to eat for awhile, do that. And next time maybe find a healthy coping mechanism to whatever issue you're facing first, listen to your hunger cues and then eat dinner when you feel 100% up for eating...

mortuseon

It might be worth doing something to distract yourself whilst eating, e.g. watching television, so that you don't end up ruminating over last night's experience. It's important that you try not to dwell on it as that rumination can in turn lead to more anxiety. And as above, do everything to get yourself in a good place before your meal - that could be meds, music or light exercise...basically anything to lift your mood and minimise the chances of another episode. Maybe even just eat lots of small snacks throughout the whole day if dinner seems like too much of a challenge. Hope you have a better day today

QS82

Firstly, try to realise that the panic attack, whilst horrible, cannot hurt you. The feeling you're having as you already know is the association to what happened, so if you can do something to take your mind off of concentrating on recalling that feeling from last night then that might be helpful to you. I know it's easier said than done (I had years of panic attacks and have been through this exact same thing in the past) but even just getting a few little bits rather than a whole meal will be better than nothing.

From personal experience, distraction is your friend. :flowerforyou:

PriscillaLaine

Thanks so much to all your replies, I'll definitely be trying out a lot of them when I feel up to it.

I'm still not feeling that great today, and I think I've just focused on the whole food thing as my main worry, something that I've now projected the anxiety on to.

I've never had a panic attack like the one one I had last night before, only smaller ones that came about from things actually happening.
That was just one big nasty surprise that crept up on me from no where!

kuolo

Similar thing happened to me, I'm still wary of eating certain things at dinner. What works for me if I'm anxious - having something carb-y, it's calming. Reading for distraction (when I'm anxious tv will make me panic). Planning on doing something involving after eating to stop myself ruminating or obsessing. Walking or gardening works for me.
If you feel a panic attack coming on, try cupping your hands over your nose and mouth and keep them there for 5 breaths or so, if you do this a few times it can head an attack off. Also sometimes a short burst of vigorous activity like skipping rope or running on the spot can help get rid of all those flight or fight chemicals quicker.

Hope that helps!