HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Lunch Anxiety?

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/28/2011 5:51 PM (GMT 0)

I feel anxious at lunch time. 

I'm still in High school and I feel like everyone is always looking at me.

My friends that I sit with at lunch has recently told me she needed a break from our friendship.

Therefore, I've been eating by myself at the end of a random table. 

I feel like people are watching me even more because I am sitting by myself. 

I get the worst stomach aches in the world when I get very anxious, I would love if I could get rid of the stomach aches.

Help anyone?

Thanks.

:)

Posted 2/28/2011 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

welcome to our forum you have found a great place were people will be able to understand what you are going through. I am sorry to read you are having problems with anxiety at the moment maybe this is your first step to recovery so well done for posting. Is their a teacher at your school who you could go and speak with or could you bring this up with your parents?? It is hard to tell people about this issues but trust me you will feel much better when you have reached out and asked for help.

There are a lot of things which can help with anxiety and a good step is to go and speak with your doctor who will be able to advise on any medications or talk therapies etc etc and if you can take someone with you for support. Also come here and post and you will find lots of members who will be able to support you and give advise were they can. Stick in there and im sure some other members will be along soon to say hi. Nice to meet you.

Hibee
Posted 2/28/2011 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there and welcome. I know what you mean about that kind of anxiety. I feel very self conscious when I am sitting alone in a crowd. One thing that helps me feel better is realizing that people really aren't paying attention to me. They are too absorbed in their own lives. Another thing that helps me feel better when I am in that type of situation is to bring a book or magazine to read so that I have something to do. You could even get some homework done during this time.  Think about lunch as a time to relax and try to focus on just being in the moment instead of worrying what people are thinking. If you have other acquaintances now would be a good time to branch out. Maybe you could sit at a different table. I know it can be really cliquee in high school though. It is a tough time for most of us! Hang in there. It will get better. I hope this helps.

Liz

Posted 2/28/2011 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome! I am sorry to hear of your anxiety/stomach problems and the problem with your friend at school. This time in your life is a difficult one, and I wouldn't be suprised if you weren't the only one feeling this way!

I think that it is natural for people to think that everyone is noticing them, but in reality, most people are focused on their own business. Try not to get worked up over that, but rather focus on branching out and making some new friendships.

Is there a lunch-time club offered at your school? Clubs and committees are a great way to meet friends and make connections. Look into getting involved where you can!

As far as the stomach problems go, once you get a handle on the anxiety (and hibee gave you some great advice on where to get help) this should get better. It is a very common symptom that many anxiety sufferers deal with-myself included.

Please feel free to post anytime, with any concerns. We are here to help. support, and best of all understand:)

Take care,
S.C.
Posted 2/28/2011 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Sweetie, I had a similar problem when I was in high school. Please rest assured that no one is staring at you. High school is full of stresses and drama and most of time, as teens, we think that our world is the only one whose life is full of them.
Also rest assured that this is a VERY normal fear for high schoolers! Try finding activities that are interesting to you during the day or after school and you will find friends to sit with at lunch :)
Posted 3/1/2011 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all!
:)
Posted 3/1/2011 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
One other thing about the stomach pain. My daughter has been having stomach pain before school and when she is going somewhere and she's nervous. My doctor told me that part of the problem is reflux. She had it when she was an infant and the doc thinks it's flaring up again. She told me that when people get anxious or nervous their stomachs produce more acid and that could be why her stomach hurts more when she's worried about something. You might want to try taking an antacid like Tums before lunch. Even though you may be getting the stomach ache because you are anxious, the over production of acid could be making it worse.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply