Why does anxiety cause loss of appetite & how to get it back?

[Chicken_Wings]

Every time I get bad anxiety I completely lose my appetite.
Just the smell or thought of food makes me feel sick. But after a while, my body starts to tell me it wants food, even though I can't bring myself to eat it.

The hunger pangs begin to feel a lot like the anxiety itself, so I find it makes me worse.

Does this happen to everyone? And if so why and what can you do to get food inside you?!

[Neil_1]

Hi there Chicken Wings

Cool and interesting name by the way.  If only it was Chicken Soup, I would be suggesting that possibly become cannibal and take on a bowl of that amazing broth !

Food food food – oh, that and water water water – our bodies need it.  It’s a bit like how a car needs petrol and oil.  If you don’t feed a car, well, it will not go.  It’s a very similar thing with your body.  It needs to be fed in order to operate.

Also I have a strong philosophy with the human body (or moreover, my own body) in that, this is the only body I have and though my mind is being dominated by the dreaded black dog and creating havoc inside my head, my body doesn’t need to follow that path.  So yeah, I have one body, and I aim to maintain this body as well as I possibly can, by treating it right with lots of exercise, but also lots of good healthy food and good levels of hydration.

Chicken Wings, I hope the above makes some sense to you and I’d welcome your response on this.  I’d be only too happy to expand or describe more about it all if you’d like.

Kind regards

Neil

[Mummybee]

Hi chickenwings,

its a horrible part of anxiety! I couldn't agree more. I suffer with health anxiety and the not eating thing really sucks.

each mouthful is like a giant lump of horror! 

I try small things like strawberries and other berries. They are high in sugar so they make you feel instantly better, and they are small and manageable. Trying to sit down to a plate of food can be torture.

good luck chickenwings 

mummybee 

[Chicken_Wings]

thanks guys,

I did manage a little something yesterday and I have to say I felt SO much better for eating.
My partner made me a little lunch box to bring to work today with a few things to pick at, but so far I haven't had anything. 

Although I must admit there are some people in the office have some pretty good smelling lunches. Which I take as a sign of improvement, because 2 days ago it would have made me feel sick.

I've been drinking about 5 times as much water as I normally would. Simply because I know if I'm not eating, I need something. I still feel like I'm dehydrated though.

Neil1 do you push yourself to eat when you do not feel like it? Or is it more a mindset that you have made that allows you to not have an aversion to food when you aren't well?

[Guest_1055]

Hello chicken wings

 When you feel like you can't eat, but you are able to drink water. Do you think if you prepared a freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juice or  a smoothie would that be easier to consume? At least your body would obtain some nutrients.

xxx Shelley anne

[Chicken_Wings]

Hi Shelley,

I tried having some nice fruit with just a tiny bit of yogurt this morning but for whatever reason I just couldn't eat it. When I know its been too long, I will get myself something like a powerade or even a ribenna just so I have something more substantial than water.

So far I have found that carrots have been the most successful simply because the taste isn't strong and i can nibble away just tiny bits.

[Guest_1055]

Hey chicken wings

I am sitting here still wondering about you, if somehow a juice ,like a juice you prepare yourself would be a benefit, because it is a liquid, like the Gatorade, but just more healthy and has more nurients. You could just make it and slowly sip it , through a straw throughout the day. I have made plenty of home made juices that are not too strong. Do you own a juicer at all?

 I have even tried coconut water, that you can purchase from Woolworths which is pretty good to sip on. The one I buy, let me think.... is the brand Cocobella, it is just the plain 100% coconut water. Anyway this has some natural electrolytes in it, a bit like a sports drink. I even think it is in the same isle. So because it has the electrolytes in it, it helps keep you hydrated very well. If you have never tasted coconut water, it tastes...um quite mild, with a hint of sweetness. It has no refined sugar in it, that plain one that is, so it might be better than drinking the Gatorade. Sorry , I didn't mean to be pushy, which I am frightened you may think I am. No pushing here, only love.

Shelley anne xxx

PS   The carrots sound like a good idea, and they are pretty healthy. I also wanted you to know, you helped me smile today, because when you said you nibble bits of pieces from a carrot. I imagined this cute little fluffy rabbit, with dropping ears peacefully nibbling away. I am not calling you a rabbit, though. I just wanted to tell you that because you did make me smile. And I am very thankful that you blessed me in this way.

[Chicken_Wings]

Thank you so much for your concern Shelley.
I dont have a juicer. I did manage to eat half an apple a little earlier which I was pleased with.

I have tried coconut water before and I don't remember enjoying it too much unfortunately.
I guess I could also get some hydrolite since its made for when you havent been able to eat.

Don't feel like you are being pushy, it's actually really nice to see someone care. And I'm glad the idea of me nibbling on carrots made you smile. You will be pleased to know that my dogs also love carrots and so they come for a cuddle when I have it and we have carrot and cuddles.

Thank you Shelley.

[Guest_1055]

That sounds super cute," carrots and cuddles", it has a nice ring to eat, like the words belong together. What type of dogs do you have?

My dog ate carrots too, I loved the sound he made, when he ate them. A sort of loud crispy, crunchy sort of noise.

Hydrolite is that like a food supplement in liquid form? Maybe you would be able to tolerate that then. 

Yeah I do care about you, I hate the thought of you suffering in anyway, even though I don't really know you. I also read on another one of your threads that you were struggling today. I'm sorry. I definitely know what that is like.

OK bye now, with hugs

Shelley anne xxx

[Chicken_Wings]

Hydrolite is something you can get from the chemist that you can either have as a drink, or like those icy poles that you get from the supermarket. You know those ones in plastic tubes that you put in the freezer?

It's recommended if you've been sick and need to re hydrate. Its full of electrolytes, potassium and a little glucose  but not heaps of sugar.

The dogs also eat capsicum, beans and mushrooms.
One is a bitsa. I'm pretty sure he is part monkey. The other one is a weird little breed that looks like a doberman, but he is on 30cm tall.