Fear of choking
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi All,
I wonder if you can help with any advice or tips that have helped you? Since my anxiety stuck 6 months ago i have lost 2 stone, I have been told by the doctor to preferable not lose anymore weight as then i could potentially be too thin, My problem is over the last 6 weeks i have grown a fear of choking on food, as you can imagine this is not helping me to gain the lost weight however i have been able to survive on smoothies/soup and luckily maintain my weight but i do need to get over this fear and start putting weight back on. while i work on this has anyone any tips that could help me, has anyone sustained a long term non-solid food diet? also (sorry lots of questions) can anyone recommend any soft food or smoothie based drinks that have all the nutrient for my body? i have been adding protein powers and making sure my liquid smoothies are fruit and veg based. i should add i am a vegetarian so meat has not featured in my diet for many years. Thank you all in advance x
0 likes, 6 replies
annette21633 Abi77
Posted
HI Abi try baby food or slow cooked veg that can be liquidised make it with potatoes so you get carbs custard made with whole milk, may help and to wean you back on solids dont liquidise too much yoghurts , are good and build up drinks from chemist who also do high protein soups could help xxx
Abi77 annette21633
Posted
Thank you xx
Lovestech Abi77
Posted
Hi Abi77, This is a horrible and debilitating phobia and upon reading the title of your post in my inbox I'd thought that this was a reply to something I'd posted a while ago however this was not the case. As you're asking for help / advice I'll give this a try however admit that this is a very real fear that I'm struggling to deal with also and been doing so for as long as I'm able to recall. From what I've learn't from counselling gradually re-introducing textured foods into your diet is a way to deal with the anxiety that this fear causes. However putting this into practice is not something I'm finding comes easy possibly might be easier for you I'm not sure. There are certain foods that I refuse to even buy and cannot think about even trying to eat for fear of choking therefore I'm aware only too well what this feels like (aware everyone's symptoms are different though). Possibly try to eat a whole lot slower than you used to in an attempt to try and convince yourself that the food you're eating is easier to swallow. Scares me seeing some people eating really quickly and not giving the possibility of choking a second thought. This really takes over your life there's no doubting that. With regards to the weight loss because of the anxieties you're experiencing I'd recommend making yourself smooth home-made soups using a soup maker such as a Morphy Richards 501040 or similar. Within 1/2 hr these make lovely blended soups. Granted you can get fed up of eating soups but at a guess you're getting the required nutrients that your body needs. Also something like a Nutriblast makes lovely smoothies based on fruits and vegetables. Think you're already using the latter though. Hope this is of some help. Like I've said though this is not a fear that I'd say is something that you can quickly get over necessarily (the fear is still there for me anyway). Others on this forum can probably also come up with some good suggestions. Don't feel embarrassed to speak to your G.P. about this either. All the best.
Abi77 Lovestech
Posted
Thank you for such an in depth reply it has been very useful to read. i will take on board your advise and i am slowly introducing solids but only things i know are still easy to shallow, its so frustrating as i just want to sit down with my family and enjoy a meal like we use to, i look back on all the meals and foods i have eaten and never choked so i do not understand why i think i will now, i am hoping as the anxiety passes i will just get on with eating again, i was paranoid about my heart health when i first got anxious and i can now say i think about my heart but i am able to go about my daily routine without the stress and constant worry i use to have, i guess i am hoping the same will happen with my eating, good luck to you and i hope we can both overcome this soon x
Lovestech Abi77
Posted
Hi Abi, No problem whatsoever. Hope that you can get over this failing that be able to manage as best as possible. Can recall a counsellor that i'd sought therapy from who basically said 'I'm going to make you eat in front of me'. Needless to say i'd not made a point of seeing them again. This filled me full of dread and was far from helpful. Gradually reintroducing solids into your diet sounds sensible even should that be a slow process. Definitely recommend you share your fears with friends and family. Good luck.
cindy78227 Abi77
Posted
Hi Abi,
I can relate somewhat, although my problem is related to my fear of my throat closing off my breathing due to something I ate. Without going into too many details, the first thing I thought of that could maybe help you is to consult with a speech therapist. At least in here the US, ST's are also swallow experts. In my health care experience, working for a local hospital as an RN and seeing patients in their homes, I often relied on the Speech therapists to assist in any swallow problems my patients had. They worked miracles. I know your problem may be different, but have you ruled out all physical causes of your swallowing issues as well?
Best of luck with resolution,
Cindy