Panic/anxiety attacks when eating

littlemili
littlemili Posts: 625 Member
edited October 1 in Food and Nutrition
I am getting panic attacks whenever I eat either after 5pm (ish) or with someone else watching me. I can't breathe properly, go lightheaded, feel sick as if the food is rising in my stomach and have to stop eating for 5 minutes to recover. As soon as I know the meal is done I am fine within about 2 minutes, always. Even if I give myself permission to eat, and have pre-planned the day's meals it makes no difference. Even if I really really want to eat the food it doesn't help. Can anyone help?

NB: I am seeking help from my GP and have ED referral but the NHS is slow, so I would love help now as it is kind of urgent...

Replies

  • njean888
    njean888 Posts: 399 Member
    Okay I don't know what ED or NHS is but I think you need to see a psychologist. Good luck to you.
  • BlueEyedMomma88
    BlueEyedMomma88 Posts: 558 Member
    Okay I don't know what ED or NHS is but I think you need to see a psychologist. Good luck to you.

    Im not sure what NHS is either but I know ED is Eating disorder.
  • Kirsty_UK
    Kirsty_UK Posts: 964 Member
    Sorry you're going through that and very glad you're seeking professional help.

    The NHS can be pretty slow. Do you know how long you have to wait?

    I'm not a doctor, and it does sound like you've already thought of the logical things I would have suggested, like planning your meals in advance to prove to yourself that you're allowed that food, so all I can suggest for now is to try and eat your meals when you can eat them without anxiety until you can get the support you need.

    Sounds like you need to get to the bottom of whatever it is that is stopping you give yourself permission to be seen eating, or to eat in the evenings, and that needs counselling.
  • Kirsty_UK
    Kirsty_UK Posts: 964 Member
    NHS = National Health Service - it's the UK free healthcare system
  • littlemili
    littlemili Posts: 625 Member
    NHS is the UK health service.
    ED is eating disorder.
    I am being referred to an ED specialist to deal with this. But I would like help NOW from MFP people because it will take a while to go through our health service (it's not private in the UK).
  • sailingsal
    sailingsal Posts: 285 Member
    NHS is national health service in the Uk. Referrals to Eating disorders clinics takes time but generally good when you get there. My advice would be to keep pestering your Gp general practitioner (or family doctor, for those in the states!). And try and eat smaller meals or snacks instead of large meals which cause anxiety.
  • questionablemethods
    questionablemethods Posts: 2,174 Member
    Okay I don't know what ED or NHS is but I think you need to see a psychologist. Good luck to you.

    Im not sure what NHS is either but I know ED is Eating disorder.

    I am assuming NHS is "National Health Service." To the original poster, unfortunately I don't have experience with this, but do you think that backing away from this website would help? Just take a break from tracking and weighing and concentrate on other things?

    I'm sure this sounds naive of me, so I'm hoping that someone with more experience has some suggestions. I'm sorry you are going through this. I have had panic attacks (in other circumstances) and it is not fun.
  • rthompson81
    rthompson81 Posts: 305 Member
    Are there any community support groups for eating disorders that you could attend? Maybe your general practitioner knows of some? That way you could get some support and hear how other people are dealing with the same issues.
  • zenchild
    zenchild Posts: 680 Member
    Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne would be a good place to start.
  • elizamc
    elizamc Posts: 285 Member
    So sorry to hear that you are struggling with this, well done for seeking some support for yourself. So frustrating when the NHS is so slow. Have you thought about finding and paying for a private Counsellor? The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy can help you find someone in your area specialising in the panic and anxiety you are experiencing and often the counsellors are willing to negotiate a fee per session. This is their link: http://www.itsgoodtotalk.org.uk/therapists/

    There are lots of other sources of information and telephone help and advice, the following are some websites:

    http://www.b-eat.co.uk/

    http://www.eatingdisorderssupport.co.uk/helpline

    http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/DG_10010944

    All the best with sorting this out!
  • helenium
    helenium Posts: 546 Member
    When overcoming anxiety in any situation, general few rules:
    - do not go out of your way to avoid the anxiety-inducing situation, this will compound the anxiety for future occurrences
    - ride out the anxiety, get to the other side and next time you approach the same situation the anxiety will tend to lessen every time.
    - try not to rely on pills such as diazepam (Valium) to get you through these situations as they lose their effectiveness and are not a long term solution. Good for short term relief if you specifically need this.

    I'm so sorry you're going through this. I get anxious when people other than my family and closest friends watch me eat. Hasn't scaled up to full blown panic attacks though, but I get them in other situations and they are very unpleasant. *hugs*

    ETA: this is from some CBT sessions I took.
    Remember: anxiety is very very unpleasant, but not harmful.
    Anxiety is an appropriate, natural response in certain circumstances.

    You may be referred to CBT but I also suggest looking into counselling as well because CBT fixes the symptoms rather than the underlying problem.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne would be a good place to start.

    I absolutely second this. It is a wonderful workbook. Start reading now.

    You are doing the right thing by seeing someone, and I'm so sorry it will take time to do so. Please hang in there, and do what you can to get support from your family, friends, and ED websites in the meantime!
  • littlemili
    littlemili Posts: 625 Member
    The NHS can be pretty slow. Do you know how long you have to wait?
    So far I have been in the system over 2 months and have got as far as 2 GP appointments, and the blood tests pre-referral. A week today I have another GP appointment to get referred assuming my bloods show no other reason for weight loss. Then I wait for the appointment at the ED unit. So a while! At least it's free so I can't complain. I can't afford private as I am a college student. I can barely afford bills.

    Thank you for the book suggestion I will get right on that!
  • LosinMama2b
    LosinMama2b Posts: 85
    Have you thought about maybe also changing your goal weight on MFP? Your ticker shows that you're still trying to lose weight, and it sounds as though that isn't the case anymore. It may help to change your goal weight to your current weight so you can focus on maintainance while you continue to educate yourself and wait for help through the system.

    Best of luck to you - a friend of mine has an ED and its really very scary. I'm very glad you're taking it seriously and looking for help. Its really very courageous!
  • elizamc
    elizamc Posts: 285 Member
    I can't afford private as I am a college student. I can barely afford bills.

    There may be a counselling service - free - in your College Health centre? Plus some private counsellors see students for a nominal fee....

    Hope the NHS comes up quickly!
  • christine24t
    christine24t Posts: 6,063 Member
    I can't afford private as I am a college student. I can barely afford bills.

    There may be a counselling service - free - in your College Health centre? Plus some private counsellors see students for a nominal fee....

    Hope the NHS comes up quickly!

    Yes this! I work at the student health services on my campus - go to them, they're awesome!
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