Food allergy ocd

Hi everyone. I have food allergy ocd. Eating anything is hard for me. Especially if I’ve never had it before. It’s causing a lot of distress for me. Eating something new means I will probably spend at least an hour in anguish over whether or not it will give me an allergic reaction. I sometimes convince myself it is actually happening and it’s so frightening. I feel like nobody else has this theme and it makes me feel more alone and isolated since I’ve never heard anyone talk about it. I miss when it wasn’t so hard but I worry that once I stop worrying then that’s when it will happen. Anyone have any advice?? 🥺🥺

Username: Anonymous6482Anonymous6482

Date posted: 1y ago

I FEEL YOU. I have this same problem. Specially with trying new things. I ate shrimp last night and I ate it a million times and I still got scared I was going to have an allergic reaction.

Username: renee032renee032

Date posted: 1y ago

@Anonymous6482 Same with me! Eating milk and eggs can be such a struggle for me even though I’ve never been allergic

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 1y ago

I actually do think I might have this. I have severe food allergies, and I believe I actually imagined reactions to some foods that could have had trace amounts of allergens. Personally, it is made more confusing by family members and other people, as some will be super cautious while others won't really be worried at all, and it is confusing about which way I should act As far as food allergies go, I will notice when I am for sure having a severe reaction. It's pretty bad, you can't make it up to some extent. But, I figure, if I do end up eating trace amounts because I'm not careful enough, what's the harm as long as I can breathe and don't need emergency care? Theoretically, trace amounts should probably habituate my system to it a bit more. And actually, whenever I would eat oatmeal in the past my throat felt itchy, and I thought it was just because of the texture, but it turns out that it most likely contained trace amounts of my allergen in it (which is actually a known fact about oatmeal that my family didn't know about)! And I never had to go to the hospital for oatmeal even -- I was fine. I'm sorry. I know how lonely it can be when you don't know of others with the same issue. In fact, people tend to dismiss my issues and don't even spend the time to listen!

Username: Oksana Oksana

Date posted: 1y ago

Dealing with this everyyydayyyy. Even food i have eaten before. Makes it hard to go out to restaurants or someone’s home because I have to ask what’s in the food. I get a lump in the throat feeling from anxiety and think something bad is happening. Im sorry to everyone going through this.

Username: renee032renee032

Date posted: 1y ago

I’m right there with you! My anxiety/OCD has progressed so much that my body will pull the same symptoms I get in an allergic reaction like itchy mouth or the most terrifying my throat feeling tight (I’ve never had my throat close and that is my biggest fear atm). Even when I haven’t eaten anything that day. The panic attacks are so miserable because so many symptoms can be for both. What helps me is knowing that when my body has an allergic reaction there is no doubt and actually less panic because of the adrenaline. Deep breaths and breathing techniques help me through the episodes. And recently the 321 rule I name three things I can hear, 2 things I can see, and 1 thing I can touch. It gives me control back over my mind even for a minute and reminds me that I am still stable and responsive and okay. The most important thing is to just keep going through them the more you fight back the less severe I’ve found they get but it’s definitely the hardest work I’ve ever had to do. Best of luck to you! I’m still having a hard time now but getting better

Username: KamiimmmKamiimmm

Date posted: 1y ago

It’s gonna be okay there’s most certainly people with the same thing as you, I may not deal with same exact thing but I have something similar. You were bold enough to put it out there maybe someone just hasn’t put up there’s so good job it’ll get better.

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 1y ago

Funny, I literally just posted before seeing your post. I don't have the exact same issues probably, but it's pretty similar to mine I think, and I can really relate

Username: JeonginsWife1JeonginsWife1

Date posted: 1y ago

I don’t really have advice for you. Just wanted to say I’m the exact same way you’re not alone.

Username: ATLAfan164ATLAfan164

Date posted: 1y ago

I’m currently dealing with the same thing. I have food allergies that have been confirmed with a blood test and every meal is a challenge because I’m so scared of cross contamination

Username: sspears27sspears27

Date posted: 50w ago

Dealing with the same thing. Haven’t had a reaction in four years and a reaction from cross contamination a month ago has completely set me back. Am barely eating and even my safe foods I’m convinced I’m allergic too. Does not help that my panic attack symptoms are very similar to real anaphylaxis so sometimes feels impossible to distinguish.

Username: maizeymaizey

Date posted: 23w ago

i have the same thing ❤️ you are not alone

Username: abby marie abby marie

Date posted: 19w ago

I have the same fear ! I suggest seeing an allergist, i plan to see one and i’m hoping having a clear outline of my allergies will help !

Username: grahamf

Date posted: 5y ago

Hi all. This is my first time posting on this, and I’m a little concerned about it, but recently my OCD has reached some new levels that are getting pretty overwhelming. It would mean a whole lot to me if some of you would read this and offer me your two cents. Today I was at my girlfriends house for a Passover dinner and nuts were out for a snack. Something about me that’s important to know for this story is that I have an extremely sever Peanut allergy - life threatening. I carry two epi-pens on me at all times. Back to the story, although I am only allergic to peanuts and no tree nuts, these nuts that were placed out were assorted tree nuts, that were likely coated with peanut oil. I lost control. This was the most out of control I have felt in years. I watched the mother eat a nut then take a taste test of the chicken. I was convinced I was going to have a reaction. Later we sat down at the table, and I was in complete fear. The father offered me matzo, but I was too afraid to have anything he touched. I even ended up looking at my girlfriend, who is well aware of my condition, that I was going to end up in the hospital for sure. All I could think about from that moment on was a two-hour mental clock that’s end would signify I would no longer be in danger of going into anaphylactic shock. I had no control and was shaking all throughout the dinner. I truly had no clue what to do and felt completely overrun. Just one day before that, I had another freak-out. This one took place on a vacation, where I had to apply sunscreen to myself. I was absolutely terrified that I had gotten poison ivy from earlier in the day and that I was rubbing it all over myself, and would one day in the near future wake up with it all over me. I tried to voice these concerns to my mother, but I just couldn’t listen to her answer. No matter what she says I dismiss it because I believe she has no clue what she’s talking about, while I, on the other hand, am a self-proclaimed poison ivy “expert.” I know this is terribly long but, here’s what I’m getting into. This condition has been tearing me apart. I am constantly in a state of unrest and I feel that it is tearing down my relationship, even though my significant other is typically understanding. The worst part is, as much as I want to never have OCD again, I am completely afraid to break free from it’s shackles. I believe that my OCD has always given me significant intelligence, and recently had even let me see the world in ways that I could never have before. I have always said that it is the silent killer. OCD is the most subtle death to anyone. It has torn me apart and managed to make me feel dependent on it. As much as I find it horrible, I find it beautifully; and I don’t want to lose something that could potentially make me who I am.

Relationship OCD

Username: Anonymous

Date posted: 2y ago

contamination ocd with food

Hi everyone, I’m new here and just wanted to see if there’s anyone out there who relates to me in any type of way so i don’t feel like a weirdo lol. I’ve had food anxiety my entire life, and it’s gotten progressively worse over the years. it started off with meat (chicken especially) now i’m scared of raw fruits and veggies (due to ecoli, salmonella, parasites, etc.) and now it’s even coming down to simple things like bread or milk. I throw food out all the time when it’s literally fresh but my mind tells me i’ll get sick from it. i stick to specific “safe foods” that i don’t think i’ll get sick from and 99% of the time it’s not healthy and it stresses me out that i’ll have problems later on when i’m older (i also have health anxiety) i even overthink about the way the grocery store workers stock food, thinking they’ve left it out for too long. it’s ridiculous. i love food, i’m just scared of throwing up and getting food poisoning. anything that involves throw up: i’m out. i even overthink about bleach and lysol somehow getting into my food if someone is cleaning near me. i hope there’s someone who understands in some type of way. i cant even enjoy eating out at a restaurant with friends or family. i hope after i talk to a therapist it could help. I’m happy i’m taking a step in the right direction :)

Username: Jib.exe

Date posted: 1y ago

People with health anxiety, tell your story.

I’ve been struggling with health/allergy OCD lately. I’d love to hear some stories from everyone to help me cope and move through this.

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Food allergy ocd

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