Gagging Phobia

[Koli_2]

Hi All,

First time poster here...

In the last month, I've relapsed badly with anxiety only this time it has taken the form of a fear of gagging (particularly at work). The major component of thephobia is gagging in front of colleagues in the office, either when everyone is quietly working around me, or in direct conversation with people. Thus far (and despite all of my catastrophising), I haven't actual done either of the above, however, yesterday I came very close to doing so on several occasions.

For all of my attempts at self-talk, deep breathing, etc., I feel myself increasingly at the point of it just happening (and it has happened, but not near colleagues). I'm afraid I'm losing faith in my techniques for seeing out the situation, reducing the stress and defusing the negative self-talk. I've almost convinced myself that just by thinking about it, I will make it happen. My only 'defense' at this stage appears to be applying acupressure to the palm which reduces the urge to gag and valium prescribed to me by my GP!

I've just started seeing a therapist to address this issue but, unfortunately, owing to the increased demand for many such professionals post-covid, I can only see him in another two weeks. I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do now.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks for your time.

[Ggrand]

Hello Dear Koli_2,

A very warm welcome to our forums...

Im sorry it’s taken a while for you to get a reply....Sometimes posts can get pushed back to page 2 through busy times..

I am sorry your struggling so much with thoughts of gagging..but very happy that you have reached out for professional help...

I think you have in a way answered your own question....Thinking about something bad happening usual does make it happen...

Distraction is one off the most important and successful ways of managing our mental health, even health anxiety....

When you start thinking or worrying about you gagging in front of other people, or even if your on your own...and concerned about it happening...Please try as hard as you can to distract those thoughts of gagging onto something else...Grounding yourself with thing around you should help you....

If your in the office or with work colleagues, friends etc...and you start worrying....look around you and find something that you can concentrate on..maybe a little figurine or a plant, pen, the floor...put all your concentration onto what you have selected....how does it look, what colour it is..the pattern on it...does it have texture to it or is it smooth..pick it up and feel it....study it the best you can..Thinking only on what you’ve selected....

Something else you could do if you feel up to it..is making yourself a little Grounding package..inside it you put...

1. Something you can feel..
2. something you can hear,
3. something you can smell,
4. something you can taste,
5. something you can look at.

These will help ground you and distract your thoughts from thinking of gagging....There’s a thread here called...”Grounding What is it and how do we”.. which goes into details of how Grounding can help you..

Please talk here anytime you feel up to it..

We are all here for you with our care..and support..

My kindness thoughts dear Koli..

Grandy..