Food phobia help needed

[Crimson74]

Hi all

I have GAD ,PTSD , agrophobia and suffer panic attacks which I all find really hard to deal with everyday but on top of all that I have now got a phobia of food and not sure how to deal with.

It all started because I was very obese weighing 140kg and need to lose weight because I use to comfort eat when my anxiety got really bad .

I was doing really well at got down to 110kg in a year. But then my weight just stayed the same for 2 months and I got upset . So I then started watching what I ate and counting my calories and by doing that I was cutting out a lot of food and was only eating about 1000 calories a day but I got tired and weak which then made my anxiety so bad that I was having panic attacks everyday and they were really bad and lasted for 1-2 hours and the only ended because I got so exhausted I ended up falling asleep.

So since then every time I tried to eat my throat would tighten and then bring on another panic attack, so now I'm really scared to eat . I'm only managing to eat about 300-400 calories a day and I have lost 24kg in just 2 months so I now weigh 86kg and I'm scared that I'm going to get to 65kg and still not being able to eat properly but still be losing weight because I'm losing 3-4kg a week .

I was wonder if anyone could give me some advice on how to eat again . Because I've been stuck at home for 8 months now so not eating on top of that is really starting to get to me

Thankyou for any help

[Starwolf]

Hi Crimson and thanks for sharing your story with us.

First of all, losing 30 kg over a year is quite an achievement, so hats off to you. However, this situation has now spiraled out of control. An unhelpful brain pattern (food = anxiety) seems to have become established and taken control. I think you need to seek assistance from your GP ASAP. You may need to go on a mental health plan for a while to help you de-program this unwanted pattern.

Meanwhile, many people with eating disorders have found drinking Sustagen helpful. It is a power drink, available in different flavours. It is available from supermarkets and affordable. A super nutritious version is available from most chemists. This could help build up your calorie intake while being more easily accepted.

Please take good care of yourself. No need to struggle alone or let this situation degenerate. Making a medical appointment is the safest, easiest way to go.

Wishing you all the best.

[Starwolf]

PS : Sustagen is usually found in the supermarket breakfast section.

[Crimson74]

Hi Thank you starwolf. Im am on a health care plan and I see a psychologist but he more worried about me trying to get out then me eating and a I only have 2 sessions left .

[Music_Freak]

I don't really know what to say that might help here, so I will just offer an ear and hug or whatever you need 🙂

I do agree the sustagen or something similar may help and you should get advice from a GP or someone who has experience with what you're dealing with

Good luck and keep us posted

[Starwolf]

Sorry to read your therapist's focus is elsewhere...Having him not showing interest in what is obviously a major issue is disappointing to say the least. I doubt very much a GP will ignore it as losing 3/4 kg a week is a matter of medical concern.

I hope this can be resolved ASAP. Your health and general well-being are important and should be attended to as a priority. You have had an earlier major victory re weight loss. It would be a shame if those negative, unexpected consequences were allowed to spoil it.

My thoughts are with you.

[caitie0]

Hi!

I think maybe make yourself some smoothies!

frozen banana with coconut milk and cinnamon

acia and frozen mango

banana & chocolate coconut milk

also maybe pick one meal you like a day a be set out to eat it, make sure you make your self some healthy meals so you don't feel like the anxiety is over that you are failing at your food and make get some chocolate you can suck on it and melt in your mouth, soups are another one and build yourself up to eating more solid foods.

and I think no. rule is that you don't count calories, I am not a personal trainer or nutritionist, but usually people do get to a plateau with there workouts and weight loss. Just means you have to keep going and maybe get a new routine, if you were going to the gym or manage to get back, usually that trainers can probably help you out, but first obviously try and eat! not sure if any of this helps.

[Emma77]

Hi Crimson,

Congrats to you on your original weight loss. You must be a very determined person to achieve that 🙂

I can't relate to the food phobia, however I remember when I was nearing the end of my limited sessions with a psych, and I freaked. Looking back, it's easy for me to see that I was feeling kind of abandoned and had a 'what now' attitude, even way before they actually ended. It made me feel like I'd wasted the sessions that I did have. It does sound to me that you could definitely benefit from a new plan, either with a new psych, or the existing one. In the meantime, as Starwolf said, take good care of yourself, or at least the things you can control. Do some breathing exercises and try and get enough sleep (often easier said than done). And try not to give too much thought to the next panic attack (and if you figure out how to do all that, then let me know!) And of course keep reaching out here. You are a strong person, and you will find your way through this too xx