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fear of swallowing food

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Posted 8/17/2011 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I've had a fear of swallowing food for years now I only eat yogurts and mash potatoe when I can and I'm on these drinks aswell, I feel like I'm the only person and I really want to try and get help for this as I have a child now and feel bad for her (even tho she don't seem bothered) I have had previous help with counseling and cbt, the CBT did help me a little but then I got let down, I got let down 3 times and can't seem to go back as don't want progress and get let down again, its hard to explain, I have tryed putting foods in my mouth I can do that but what ever I try and do I still can swallow it. And I keep thinking I'm gona have problems with my stomach as I get older but I'm not sure, so really fed up now, I was considering hypnotisis but not sure if that will help and scared to get that done incase I don't wake up
Posted 8/17/2011 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
kat,

You may want to look at this thread which is fairly recent and may give you some good advice.  I hope it helps you with your fear of swallowing.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=2076837

Hyponosis sounds like a good idea so please do check into it in more detail.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 8/17/2011 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Kat,

If it's any conciliation, you are not alone, as I know how terrifying this phobia can be. I've suffered from this too for a while, though my situation was brought on by GERD/LPR reflux and subsequent anxiety. If you don't mind me asking, how did this start?
Posted 8/17/2011 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
I ate puff pastry and got it stuck at the roof of my mouth and from that day on couldn't eat nothing, then I started eating mash with carrots and sausages and then that just stopped as I got some carrot stuck, I do try no and again putting food in my mouth but I've tryed the whole taking my mind off swallowing and everythink and just still can't, but I'm scared my stomach going to mess up and shrink and that, I don't tink it will otherwise I'm sure the dieation woulda said, she said that I'm doing great eating the yogurts and sometimes mash and drinking these drinks she's giving me, just worried about it and that still don't get me to eat! And feel I was on my own but now I know I'm not on my own and makes me feel a lot better because when I go to the docs and need medicene as I can't swallow tablets they automatilly think anorexiea or bulimea and when I say what I have they just look at me funny so I think omg I'm the only person.
Posted 8/17/2011 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
Kat,

I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles. I really feel for you. When it happened to me, I refused to eat out in public and could only eat at home. In addition, I was only able to eat soft foods and mainly stuck to cereals. As hard as this is to admit, I would look at everyone and anyone with envy and didn't understand why this was happening to me. Just out of curiosity, do you think it's possible that you have acid reflux? I didn't have a symptom of heartburn when I started having a difficult time swallowing, so even if you don't exhibit any classic symptoms, it may be beneficial to look into this.

You mentioned that you tried CBT, what about hypnotherapy or NLP?

I am currently a graduate student studying to become a mental health professional and can tell you that a phobia is a learned behavior. So the good news is that anything learned can be unlearned with patience and hard work. Are you seeing a counselor?
Posted 8/17/2011 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi yer I was seeing a counselor but got let down cos she couldn't help had to see a cbt as they think it may be from birth or somethink its called somethink but I ent got a clue, erm not sure about the acid reflux never heard of it, is it a serious thing, as I get worried about things aswell and I also have agraphobia anD panick attacks in crowded places its horrible but the thing I mainly want to bet is the eating as I can cope with the others sort of and can sometimes go places on my own if I'm in my car. I want to try cbt or something else but its hard because I've been let down 3 times a really don't want that to happen again so I need to find someone I can trust and they will assure me they will stick with me untill I'm better but I'm not sure as like I said incase they do let me down again its hard to explain.
Posted 8/17/2011 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
=( I've been there too...I so feel your pain. Do you want to talk over e-mail?
Posted 8/17/2011 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
In any case, therapists should not break your trust and I can understand why you would be reluctant to starting up again. Don't give up, there are some great mental health professionals out there who won't give up on you. Go to goodtherapy.org and search for one in your area.

Best of luck to you...
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