Fear of eating isn't that uncommon. The panic program can help in two ways. First the first 3 sessions can be used to identify the anxious thought that goes with eating, usually fear of choking or vomiting. Then, people can create a treatment plan for gradually exposing themselves to eating "risky foods". Basically people make a list of foods from "most safe" to "most risky", then they work their way through the treatment plan starting with the safest foods. Realatively "safe" foods are usually things like water, juice, milkshakes, pureed soup, crushed bananas, jello, and pudding.
Some people "need" to have a glass of water handy "just in case". Thats okay, but you want to challenge that fear eventually. They could try moving the glass of water further and further away.
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Anne-Marie, Site Administrator