Swallowing when feeling anxious

[MJK1976]

I have been suffering with anxiety for many years and lately it’s getting worse. When faced with anxiety or I feel uncomfortable, I have to swallow, this is mainly at work situations because this is where I feel the most anxiety. It’s making it difficult for me to communicate and speak freely because I don’t want people to notice my condition. This condition has prevented me from stepping up at work and getting any promotions and has basically held me back in life. I went to see a doctor recently and they told me to talk with a psychologist. Is this is best option for me, or would medication help me. I know my doctor wont give me meds. Is there anyone else out there that experiences a condition like mine?

[Summer Rose]

Hi MJK1976

Welcome to the bb forum and congratulations on having the strength to reach out for support. You’ve arrived at a community where people really understand MH and offer support in a non-judgmental way.

It’s a shame that you have experienced anxiety for years and that your condition seems to be worsening. I am so sorry this is happening to you, I know it’s tough.

I think it’s great that you had a chat with your doctor, as recovery is possible for many people with the right treatment. bb offers an evidenced-based information booklet on all the treatment options on its website, called What works for anxiety, if you’re interested.

From my experience, working with a psychologist and/or taking medication are two common approaches to treating anxiety. Again, from my perspective, many people have success with both approaches or a combination.

However, as I am not a doctor I cannot say which approach would be best for you. I can think of two options that might assist you now.

You can always seek a second opinion from a different GP. Or you could try seeing a psychologist. A psychologist cannot prescribe medication but may have an opinion on whether or not it would be helpful to complement their treatment.

I wish you all the best as you work your way through this process.

Kind thoughts to you

[geoff]

Hello MJK, and a warm welcome to the forums and I have also experienced this myself when I was younger, although I was suffering from OCD, but know how awful it is and how exhausting it will be.

I had to swallow up to 100 times and if someone interrupted me, I would have to start from one again, but eventually, I had to change this obsession/compulsion and do something else to replace it.

OCD is caused by anxiety and it is a horrible illness and while still have it, other people are fortunate enough to have overcome it with professional help.

I did have help from an online course, but as soon as this ended, I wasn't strong enough to continue what I had learnt as I've had it for many years and do take medication for it, although for me, it doesn't stop it, whether it has reduced my habits, then I would say yes.

A psychologist can certainly help you and if your present doctor won't prescribe medication then perhaps you could visit another doctor because that's where the support begins, if a doctor won't help you then see someone else who does.

I can't remember what I replaced it with, it was years ago, but specifically, remember having to do this and no one could understand why, unless they were trained in this particular area.

I wonder if you can slowly replace doing this with something else, it only has to be gradual, but tell yourself that 'it's OK to do something else because another person had to struggle through in doing this and he replaced it'.

Please let us know how you get on.

Geoff.

[Petal22]

Hi MJK1976,

Wellcome to our forums!

Im sorry your condition is worsening….

I understand anxiety I had severe anxiety OCD…… I have now recovered from this condition with the help of professionals………

My recovery started from seeing my gp we did a mental health plan together….. my gp also put me on an antidepressant to help me to manage my anxiety…….. I also saw a clinical phycologist and a psychiatrist…… I was diagnosed with OCD from my psychiatrist…… this then led me to a OCD clinic who specialised in OCD, I learned to master my OCD from the therapy I was taught at this clinic…… I believe medication and therapy go hand in hand…………if your gp isn’t helping you see a new one and tell them exactly how you are feeling……..

Im here to chat