Social anxiety, day to day life, and issues with food

Ashii — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 06:55:26 GMT

I’ve had long term issues with social anxiety. I think it stems from a lack of control, particularly from childhood trauma. I have symptoms of PTSD and have emotional flashbacks occasionally.

My anxiety issues have improved over the last 7 years, mainly due to my work. The last two years that I spent living with family made me think it was completely gone, but it turns out that because I was mostly living with people who I have long and established relationships with, I don’t experience anxiety with them.

I’ve always felt dread when I’ve had to interact with people I don’t have a comfortable or long relationship with and I thought this was normal. But I’ve had to move away from family this year for my mental health and I’ve noticed how bad my anxiety actually is.

I can’t leave my room if my housemate is home. I can’t do it even if I need the bathroom or to make food, especially if their door is open or they’re in the common areas. I would rather starve and experience discomfort than leave the room and interact with them. It has nothing to do with them personally, but I just can’t.

At this point, I wonder if it’s creating some kind of temporary eating issues. I can’t eat or even cook in front of them or even if they’re in the house. The one time I did cook was when they walked in from work. It made me so distressed I gave up. Sometimes I’ll feel panicked when I hear them coming into the house and rush to hide items of food. I know rationally I shouldn’t, but I don’t feel safe and I feel like I’m doing something wrong.

I’m currently seeing a psychologist, so I’m getting help. But I’d love to know if anyone has any advice around managing this or if I need to pay attention to my issues with food.

Re: Social anxiety, day to day life, and issues with food

blues23 — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 09:39:33 GMT

Hi Ashii,

sorry your going thru this. It does sound truly awful that you feel so uncomfortable eating and even holding off going to the toilet it must be taking such a toll on your health. My advice would definitely be to seek some more help on the eating side and the toileting side . I personally haven’t experienced what you are going thru . I did have periods at my job where I would withhold going to the toilet due to no staff on the floor ( smoking breaks🙄) and when I went back for a little while to work I found myself questioning whether I could go to the toilet this was a question in my mind if I could or if I’d be in trouble if I did go to the toilet it was so like shocking to me I was not aware that I was actually afraid of going to the toilet at work I got thru it as I convinced myself I’m going to go to the toilet even if I was nervous about going I went and I did it and it was ok . Can you try and like u know get out of your comfort zones of your room and cook yourself some food even if it’s quick then go and eat ? Sometimes we have to battle these thoughts to make them go away and to be like yes I can do this and I won’t be in trouble if I do . Definitely speak with your psychologist about it and what your going thru , I hope you can find some peace and definitely eat even store some snacks in your room like fruits : biscuits: pkts of food u know that u can eat should u feel very anxious but try to tackle it head on that’s what I’m doing with my anxiety I have to retrain my brain and thoughts it’s possible but it takes time .

take care 🦋

topic Social anxiety, day to day life, and issues with food in Anxiety

Social anxiety, day to day life, and issues with food

Re: Social anxiety, day to day life, and issues with food