- Username
- Emma34
- Date posted
- 26w ago
Choking Phobia
I ate a sandwich and choked a bit on it and now I have a choking phobia. Having a hard time eating. Anyone else going through this?
- Username
- em__em__
- Date posted
- 26w ago
I've dealt with this on and off since childhood. Back then it always happened in the cafeteria, related to some social anxiety. I don't have any great answers at the moment, other tjan gradual exposure and easy-to-eat foods in the environments that trigger the fear the most. (Like soup/chili/yogurt/etc)
- Username
- em__em__
- Date posted
- 26w ago
And also staying hydrated, always having water nearby while you do those exposures. Helps your throat stay have better conditions to begin with. :) You've got this and you aren't alone.
- Username
- Emma34Emma34
- Date posted
- 26w ago
@em__ Are you able to eat better now without the fear of choking?
- Username
- em__em__
- Date posted
- 26w ago
@Audrey/33 Overall yes, much better. Once in a while that old fear pops up in a new social setting, where I get hyper aware of my throat/sensations. But it's not as intense as childhood. I also never took meds until the past 3 years. Zoloft has made a big difference for me with physical symptoms of anxiety and some sensory fears.
- Username
- em__em__
- Date posted
- 26w ago
@em__ Definitely consult your therapist/a clinician as well. Throat tension and swallowing challenges are surprisingly common, I learned. And alsl very treatable ✨️
- Username
- AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 26w ago
This happened to me recently. I choked on sushi and now every time I get sushi I’m anxious that I will choke again. I think it is a fear of embarrassment more than a health fear, but I still feel that worry!
- Username
- AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 26w ago
@Anonymous Let me add, I choked on the sushi like 3 years ago, but I still panic
- Username
- Emma34Emma34
- Date posted
- 26w ago
@Anonymous Yes it is an awful worry, it’s worse when I am eating out. I actually seen a man choke in front of his family. He survived but it was traumatizing. It’s only sushi you have a fear of right? Any other food?
- Username
- AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 26w ago
@Audrey/33 Mostly sushi. Or anything that’s difficult to chew, steak or chicken that is dry:/ I refuse to eat steak
- Username
- Rita D. Rita D.
- Date posted
- 26w ago
Dealt with this exact fear 2 yrs ago after my daddy died and food got stuck in my throat. I didn’t eat well for months and lost over 30 pounds! That was not good for me as I’m already a small person. I got better eventually thank you God… but road to recovery was not easy. I had so many exams because I was convinced I could no longer eat solid foods! I seen a swallowing specialist, had to do swallowing therapy lessons where I eat food in front of a speech therapist as well as see a regular CBT therapist… it was tough but here I am today eating solid foods! I know how bad you feel and it will get better but you must keep eating… you don’t want those throat muscles to forget how to swallow! It’s scary but keep eating!
- Username
- Emma34Emma34
- Date posted
- 26w ago
@Rita D. That is what happened to me too right now with my dad, he died a few months ago and literally 2 days ago I found out my friend died. Thank you for this comment it really helps me. I am forcing myself to eat now.
- Username
- Rita D. Rita D.
- Date posted
- 26w ago
@Audrey/33 How are you feeling today?
- Username
- Emma34Emma34
- Date posted
- 18w ago
@Rita D. I am so sorry I missed this. A lot better now by God’s will but still have it. It just sucks because now I feel like all my themes are merging together.
Related posts
- Username
- megan.101
- Date posted
- 1y ago
Health OCD
I may sound crazy but on Saturday I choked on a bit of my drink and then my anxiety began Sunday night. I’ve had this unrealistic fear that I have some type of pneumonia and the liquid went into my lungs. I woke up at 3:30AM on Monday morning with a huge panic attack and then was anxious the entire day with chest pain. I’m still worried about it today but don’t wanna succumb to going to urgent care - is this a crazy thing to do just to calm me down? ugh!
- Username
- libbyp97
- Date posted
- 1y ago
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
- humano
- Date posted
- 1y ago
I'm having a panic attack - please calm me
I think I have somatic ocd I'm not sure but it's 1:27 and I can't go to a doctor or make an appointment. I'm getting scared of choking. I forgot a week ago how to swallow and lost the instinct. I barely eat in the day, but I try to eat normal food as an exposure. I know I won't choke but my body doesn't. I had a panick attack after eating like 7 spoons of rice and meat. It was all good until I started feeling again my throat very thick and like if there's a grain of rice. It really annoys me and my breathing is accelerated, I started feeling derealization. I need someone to calm me down. I won't go to work tomorrow, I'm so sleepy but feel like I won't breathe because of my panick attack. I'm alone right now
Be a part of the largest OCD Community
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond