sometimes when I am eatting I think i am going to forget how to shallow and choke to death. For a second I think I really did forget how to shallow

eileenmatt,
It's not funny, but I do the exact thing. Sometimes even when Im not eating I do it. I sometimes even think my throat is swelling up, I have to look in the mirror over and over to convince myself, so it's all normal parts of being anxious. Hang in there, it has to get better,
Cathy

Hi Eileenmatt,

This is normal with anxiety. You did not forget how to swallow, we are just hypersensitive, so we are conscious and very observant about everything. You did not forget how to walk, talkm, write, think...so I promise you that you did not forget how to swallow. St one point I did not eat much, but what my PhD at the time suggested is eat the foods you love, even if it is pizza, McDonalds, Taco Bell, you will be getting some nourishment, some food. You need to eat and keep your strength. Also, rest...take naps and sleep. Our brains are on overdrive and need a rest. Rest when you can and know that you have not forgotten the basics. Take care...LizB

I totally agree with LizB. I'm struggling with eating right now, but at the same time, if I DO think I can put something down me, as much of a struggle as it is, I make it a Big Mac or a hot dog or something that is "bad" but yummy! It's nourishment and it's amazing how much better it can make you feel.

I do the same thing with swollowing. And breathing. Sometimes I think that I will forget how to breathe....turns out that's when I am holding my breath the most.

Ain't anxiety grand?

I actually stopped eating for almost 4 months b/c I was at home by myself one day (around 14 years old) eating soup, and it felt like a choked on a noodle. So after that, i didnt eat. I kept nourished on milk, and chicken broth and that was it. Needless to say, i ended up losing a lot of weight. My mom took me to the doctor, and i also had constant swollen tonsils. So i had those removed. It took me awhile to recover from that (since I hemmoraged, and had to have another surgery causing me to lose more weight) Little by little, i began to eat again, but only if someone was around, and it took me a long time to finish. Im 26 now, but sometimes, it still feels like my throat is tight.

AMber,
I do the same thing. My throat feels tired sometimes when I eat, which is strange. I don't eat peanut butter anymore because a few months ago after I ate some it felt like I had a lump in my throat for a few days. I have never been allergic to Peanuts, but of course now Im terrified to eat anything with peanuts in it. Good luck to you!
Cathy

dont think about swallowing just keep chewing and the food will go down automatically its really an easy trick.

yup, this has happened to me also. most of the time, eating takes my mind off the swallowing. its when i'm just, swallowing throughout the day, i'll think "i didn't swallow right that time." and then i'll examine my swallowing for days. i'll swallow more because i'm thinking about it, until my throat gets dried up and my swallowing does feel bad cuz i'm forcing myself to swallow every 5 seconds. only time swallowing does feel right is when i'm eating because i'm swallowing, something, when i'm supposed to be swallowing it, lol.

This is a very good topic. I had this fear over thirty years ago. I was afraid I'd choke and die. I developed quite a phobia and then I scared myself into thinking scary thoughts about the whole situation. It lasted about a year for me and then I was able to eat solids again but I still carry a fear based around it which is attributed to obsessive thinking. I've learned to live with the scary thoughts but sometimes they grab me still and I must soothe myself.

It's true, we are so sensitive. We are aware of everything that others perhaps take for granted.

The tightness or lump sensation in our throats is just that. It's a sensation but nothing is really there. It's muscle tightness.

Thank you for bringing this topic up.