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Always Swallowing

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
Why do I swallow all the time?
You're thinking about it too much! - 63.6% - 7 votes
You're obsessed with it. - 27.3% - 3 votes
You're thirsty. - 9.1% - 1 votes
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Posted 8/26/2013 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone! I'm 13 years old. I'm always swallowing. Every 10 seconds maybe? It's been 2 months. And I just can't stop, I feel like I have to swallow my saliva all the time! I can't stop thinking about it. Well school is going to start and I don't want to 'swallow all the time' in the public. It really makes me uncomfortable. I searched a lot; some people says It's been happening to them since 5 years.. so that scares me very much!!! I'm really confused I don't know what to do about it! Please answer quickly and tell me what to do. I know It's really so silly! Because everyone swallows. But I think I'm swallowing more? Like i said before it's happening every 10 seconds. confused sad
Posted 8/26/2013 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Carly and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of this problem and the stress and worry that it is causing you.

This is a fairly common anxiety issue. Remember how in a lot of cartoons the characters would, when nervous, *GULP!* ?

Well, this is because it is a common physical manifestation of how our bodies react to stress and anxiety.

Have you talked to your parents, or another trusted adult about this issue? If not, then I would suggest doing so, and perhaps getting some help if you feel that your anxiety is keeping you from feeling well and doing the things that you want and need to do.

In the meantime, you can try these coping skills. They are helpful in stress reduction, and could help reduce this problem.:)

http://www.stress-relief-exercises.com/

http://www.psybersquare.com/anxiety/panic_relax_I

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_self_help.htm

Post with us anytime.  We are here to care, understand, listen and support you during this tough time!

Scaredy Cat

Posted 8/26/2013 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
Haha yes I remember them! By the way; I told my parents about it. They said it will be okay :/ But I just wanna know ''when'' will it stop. Because sometimes it annoys me a lot. And thanks for your answer.
Posted 8/26/2013 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
If you do the suggested exercises/coping skills in the links that I posted, things should improve for you. You have to be pretty consistent, so I would suggest doing the breathing and progressive muscle relaxation for 10 min, at least twice a day.

Journaling is also a good way to get our stressful thoughts and feeling out, and helps us to decompress. If you do not currently do this, it may be a good idea to start.:)

Keep posting with us as well...like I said, support is key during tough times!

S.C.
Posted 8/26/2013 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with our Resident Counselor that journaling can be very helpful.

It's helped me a lot. I agree that the swallowing is a symptom. I've had it before. It does go away. I used to focus only on that, so journaling and spending short amount of times doing something intense can provide relief.


Sookie
Posted 8/31/2013 12:31 PM (GMT 0)
Are you sure it goes away because its still happening. Maybe it turned into a habit. I'm scared. :( Is there a pill for this?
Posted 8/31/2013 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
Just like any habit can be broken this one can too! SC pointed you in a great direction. There are medications for anxiety but I found that positive thinking and just forgetting about it helped me a lot overall. Sookie has a great idea about journals too, I kept one for a long time just so I could get out all my nervous fears on paper.

Just real quick anxiety too can make you feel overly self.conscious, so it sounds like the swallowing makes you uncomfortable particularly in public. I bet nobody even notices it! So seems real easy to say don't worry about it, but its really the best advice cause when I don't worry about things my anxiety goes away and I feel great again.

Hope you are feeling better soon!

Joshua
Posted 9/1/2013 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Well what if i have too much saliva? Is there a pill for this too?
Posted 9/1/2013 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
"Too much" is a relative term until you can quantify it. Not sure how that can be done or what is standard or not. Not even sure what unit of measurement can be used to quantify saliva. Suppose there are probably physiological reasons for it, might want to ask a doctor for better advice!

Hope you are feeling better soon!

Joshua
Posted 9/1/2013 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
Oh okay thank you!
Posted 9/5/2013 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone, It's not happening too much like the old days.
Posted 9/5/2013 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
Carly,

That is great news!! Is there anything specifically that you found was helpful?

If you would like to share, it may be helpful to others who read your post in the future.:)

I hope that you continue to do well...and encourage you to post anytime!

S.C.
Posted 10/27/2013 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi guys it's still happening. It goes sometimes. But it annoys me alot. What can I do about it when I'm at the school? :/
Posted 10/27/2013 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
Carly,

You posted that your swallowing problem  had gotten better - do you know what made it better so you can use the same tools you did to chase it away back in September ?

The saliva/swallowing problem can be caused by anxiety and is often linked to OCD from what I understand of this problem. Chewing gum can alleviate the problem for some people, as well as exercising a lot and relaxing.

In your poll, one of your choices, "You are obsessed with it" may be the best choice. 

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 10/29/2013 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Carly,

I am sure that this is like any other anxiety symptom...as you are feeling distracted and less stressed, the problem fades.

However, when you are more anxious and focused on the issues, it is more of a problem for you.

Are you trying to keep up with your coping skills as suggested in the links above? Do you find that if you are consisten with them that they help?

The only other thing that I can recommend is this from an article that I found. However, after trying all of the above things, and you are still having trouble, why not talk to your doctor about this issue to try and get some help and relief?

Foods to Eat
Relatively bland foods with a dry texture are often among the best foods to eat to help eliminate excess saliva. Examples include crackers, baked chips, toast and dry cereals. If your excess saliva production occurs throughout the day, pack small containers of crackers or dry cereal and keep them with you at all times. Although salty foods should be eaten in moderation, they can help temporarily solve your saliva problems. Along with salted crackers, you might try sucking on salted sunflower seeds or snacking on a small handful of salted nuts. Between snacks, chewing sugarless gum, rinsing your mouth with mouthwash or brushing your teeth frequently can also help eliminate excess saliva.



Foods to Avoid
During an episode of excess salivation, avoid sweet, spicy and sour foods. These foods often cause hypersecretion --- an immediate production of saliva to help coat the mouth and throat. In fact, just smelling these types of foods might cause your saliva production to kick into overdrive. Also, avoid any foods that make you nauseous --- whether by sight, smell or taste. An episode of nausea commonly triggers the vomiting reflex, which may cause a small amount of stomach acid to reflux into the esophagus. This acid then triggers your salivary glands to produce saliva to neutralize the acid.


Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/448810-foods-to-eliminate-excess-saliva/#ixzz2j89z0SSm

Best wishes,

S.C.

Posted 9/24/2014 5:16 AM (GMT 0)
This is really encouraging. I have terrible ocd as well and I want you all to know that you are amazing for reaching out over the internet. I've been struggling with this problem off and on for the past two month. I find that meditation works. I'm a very spiritual person and helping get rid of the problem is difficult. But you need to trust in yourself. Take some deep breaths while listening to calming music and saying to yourself that everything will be alright. Allow saliva to come into your mouth and try to prolong swallowing as long as you can. Eventually less saliva will collect into your mouth. I recommend doing this right as you wake up because that's when you're less likely too have the ocd right as you wake up.

Post Edited (singmearia) : 9/23/2014 11:23:48 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/24/2014 5:34 AM (GMT 0)
Crap, it's my first time reading this and now I have "the swallowing problem". I guess that proves if you think about it then you do it.

I remember the first girlfriend I ever had had this problem. She was constantly swallowing. It's funny cause during that time I was going through a spitting phase (as young boys will do).

You're young.... I promise you will grow out of this! Distract yourself as much as possible. At the very least, remind yourself that this is not a life or death situation. You cannot swallow yourself to death, I promise! : )

Great advice above from the other members. Try to apply it. You have all the support you need on here!
Posted 9/24/2014 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Singmeria and welcome!

Thank you for contributing with the helpful tips that have been of value to you.;) It is great to read what has worked for others, and is an encouragement.

I invite you to post with us anytime. You will find much information, understanding and support here.:)

Please check out our Resources when you have chance, and see if you might pick up a new coping skill, or find something of interest for your ongoing anxiety management plan! (Resources are located at the top of the main page, 1st thread.)

Also consider starting a new thread of your own for introduction. (Post New Topic, upper left toolbar) In this way you don't get 'lost' at the end of an older thread such as this...and more members can welcome you.

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 9/27/2014 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
its ok to swallow spit but I dont have to think about it that is the only way. let me know if I was helpfull
Posted 1/13/2017 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
hello guys i had this problem too im 16 years old and i had this problem for like 5-6 months now its specially kicking in when im thinking about it. or when im in a silent room example my class room when im sitting next to my class mates its kicking in and im trying to not swallow its really embarrassing to me i feel like if they hear it they probably think im nervous or something its getting to that point that i can't even talk in class without swallowing once and when i talk its keeps coming and its weird because its only coming when im talking to some people and not when im with my close friends please help i beg you sad i have visited my doctor she told me it was a bad habit and i shouldn't think about it and it would disappear but its keep coming to my head when im in these situations
Posted 1/13/2017 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
Johnny542,

I responded to your new thread, so be sure to see that! I am going to lock this thread down now, as it is getting old.

Be sure to read through all of the responses here if you haven't already, there are good tips...and the links I shared in the 1st response to the OP are excellent.smile

Talk soon,

Scaredy Cat
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