I've just finished listening again to the diet/nutrition/exercise tape. I've been exercising to help relieve the panic attacks which I'm still getting. My problem is that I don't even want to eat. As soon as I start to feel uptight, I just want to lose my belly. I've lost 7 pounds and am thoroughly disgusted and depressed with myself. Just the thought of eating makes me even more upset because I already feel like I'm going to be sick. I'm taking .5 xanax 3 times a day and have just started taking Paxil (after having been on Tofranil for 10+ years). Even though I know in my head what I'm supposed to be doing/thinking/reacting, I seem to be having a hard time convincing my head. I've spent most of today worrying about my weight in addition to my anxiety & depression. Does anybody else have this problem? I know this isn't hopeless because I've been this way before but when you're here, it most certainly feel hopeless.

Tammy, you are right and you're not alone. Anxiety is such an overwhelming feeling of despair, who can eat!

I don't, and have also lost a lot of weight because of it. I also suffer from IBS.

When I get an anxiety attack, I can't eat for days; and I never feel hungry. In fact it's the opposite, I feel stuffed. The feelings usually last for up to 4 days, sometimes less if I'm lucky.

The funny thing is that before anxiety, (which I'll call this period B.A.), I would eat when upset, sad or just plain bored. I can't believe now A.A. (after anxiety), I don't want food around me.
Go figure.

Thank you so much for responding. My best friend also has panic attacks & depression but she overeats! My therapist says that we're better off being skinny than overweight but I don't know. I think both problems are equally as bad. I feel much better knowing that I'm not alone with this lack of appetite. My doctor called me this evening and said to pump up the anxiety meds until the paxil kicks in so that I can eat. What I find most frustrating is that when I'm not in a period of anxiety, I forget what it was like and am not limited by anything. What a bizarre condition, eh? Thank you again!

Yes!! After an episode I start slowly and work myself up to eating like a horse. I enjoy food so much then.

I used to be like you friend, but I don't know what happened to me along the way.

Very strange indeed.

Have you checked out the IBS section. There might be some info on this there.
And no, we are not alone by a long shot...

TammyW,
Yes, who can eat. . My solution when I feel this way is cold shakes, Jamba Juice, and
homemade yogurt, fruit, and ice. The cold is
soothing to my head, and, it is better than not eating. Sipping slowly, is easier than taking on a whole meal. I don't know if this
will help since everyone is different.
good luck,
Kris