Anxiety and eating

[Romy]

Panic attacks and anxiety for me = nausea, vomiting and not being able to eat. I've just recently got into a relationship with someone I really like. He lives an hour away. When he comes to my place, I'm really comfortable, I barely have anxiety and I can eat. Because I'm not really used to going to his place yet, whenever I do, I feel quite anxious. I love being around him, I'm comfortable around him. I'm really just anxious about being anxious, and therefore not being able to eat and vomiting. I saw him tonight and couldn't eat a thing. He knows about my anxiety and the trouble I have with eating and he's supportive. I feel like if I can't do this yet, it's going to be so long before I'm ready to meet his family and friends. I just don't know how to get over this, because I talk myself into it. I am on medication and have started seeing a psychologist, but she is away until next week.

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Romy,

You seem very worried and on edge. The anxiety as well as your anxiety about having anxiety sounds like a vicious cycle as it all must feed into even more anxiety. I feel for you; that must be so draining and frustrating to deal with...

I’m glad you have the support of your partner (he sounds wonderful) as well as your psychologist and medical assistance. I wonder if you could make use of helplines (Beyondblue, Lifeline, etc) to ask for suggestions on how to cope with your anxiety, especially in relation to food, while your psychologist is away. Just a thought...

Also, I was thinking when you psych returns, maybe it would be worthwhile to delve more into how to manage food around anxiety. I would think he or she might have some coping mechanisms to share with you.

I hope you feel very welcome on the forums. This space is yours to talk if you would like to vent or chat. I, plus others, would be happy to hear from you again as we would like to support you.

Kind thoughts,

Pepper