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Swallowing Difficult, My Favorite Symptom

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Posted 6/21/2007 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum also.  I normally don't do the forum thing, but what the heck. 

I am so close to recovery, I can smell it.  My symptom though is swallowing.  It gets me every time.  Any advise on how just to swallow the food w/o over reacting? tongue

Posted 6/21/2007 8:37 PM (GMT 0)

welcome

fears re swallowing food are common for anxiety sufferers and are mentioned here often, the main fear is of the food going down the wrong way, causing you embarrasment, if eating with company, in extreme cases people live on soups or put all food in a blender, this can last for years

the throat muscles are very complicated and anxiety can tense them up and stop their normal operation

the swallowing reflex is automatic and if you just keep chewing and someone distracts you, you will swallow without realisintg it

sometimes a check by a throat specialist may be needed, they see lots of anxiety sufferers with this problem

Posted 6/21/2007 8:44 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks Harry!

I know I am giving it wayyyyyy too much credit!

Posted 6/21/2007 9:34 PM (GMT 0)

Haha.

I had this problem big time back in October.  I still get it off and on but not a big deal anymore.  In fact, I got it today!  I went for a walk and tried to focus on positive things and I feel better now.  However, it scares me everytime.

Best wishes! yeah

Posted 6/22/2007 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
Believe it or not my 5 year old son just had this problem... he got something caught in his throat (not choking - just needed to be washed down with some liquid) it freaked him out so badly that he refused to eat anything for about 2 weeks (I was feeding him ensure... poor kid)  I have a/p so I recognized it for what it was but he was terrified.  I know you will overcome it!!!  You sound like a positive person... the "distraction" comment that was mentioned earlier was really good.  Have you tried to eat while focusing on something else? Like a TV show or maybe a book on tape or the radio?? It might distract you enough to go a few meals without worrying about it and then likely you will notice a reduction in your fears.  Good luck :)
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