You are what you eat?

Hi,

I've had similar problems to you; I was diagnosed with coeliac disease a couple of years ago. I've suffered from bouts of extreme anxiety for the past couple of years. I'm currently in one now, but since changing my diet and eating a lot more fruit and vegetables, and pretty much cutting out sugary/fatty foods, I have started to feel better. I am more awake, I feel generally 'well' and have had the confidence to go out recently (my anxiety had been so bad this time, I've hardly left my house since August). I definitely think a change of diet will help, and lots of exercise has been a great help to me too!

Hi Rosie,

Food and weight can cause anxiety for many people. Is it possible that this may be a trigger for you?

Yes, definitely when you are not feeling your best, it may affect how you socialize with others.

Best to try and live a healthy lifestyle and get plenty of exercise.Try a meditation class to calm your mind. Pilates and Yoga also can have the same effect.

The mind is a powerful tool and can have great effect over the body. Do take care of yourself.

E

Hi Amy and Esther,

Thanks for replying, and sharing your knowledge That is exactly it Amy, I felt much more awake. Like I had a bag over my head for years and it was suddenly removed!

I agree with you too Esther. Exercise, and lifestyle are important. Yoga always makes me restful and gets me a good nights sleep. I've been an avid exerciser for years because it fends off depression, but I never found it improved my social skills. I had an accident about 6 weeks ago that prevented me from exercising so vigorously. The lack of movement may have increased my anxiety so perhaps that stomach was pure nerves. That fact that I wasn't exercising, and seemingly got the improvements purely from food amazes me. Especially since I had a pretty healthy diet before (I'm not a convenience / junk food eater!) Just somewhat heavy on the carbs.

I'm definitely going to get organized, plan meals more carefully, and give it another go real soon.

If anyone else has any knowledge or experience of this please share. I find it fascinating!

So glad to see you are feeling much better Rosie. Hope your accident wasn't to serious and you have recovered fully. I get very restless and stressed when I don't exercise a few times a week. My weekly regime is by no means strenuous. But it does wonders for my head and soul!

Just get back into your routine sooner rather than later. You already seem so much happier just writing about it.

Best wishes

E

Hi Esther, It was not that serious. A recurring leg injury, I just had to be cautious for a while. Getting back into the swing of things now.

But I practice avoidance of contact with other people because I have always felt so uncomfortable. For many years I tried very hard, but my communication problems have left me quite isolated.

Exercise has never helped with that to any real extent, but it does make me happier. I feel I would be much happier with friends that I could enjoy talking to! So I will defiantly experiment a bit more with my nutrition.

Thanks for your kindness

As with anything in life, practice makes perfect. Take small steps. Go out and keep talking and spending time with people. You will get there. You will find your group of friends, so long as you stop avoiding and start socialising with people.