It depends on the situation. I don't like to eat in restaurants because once you order, you are trapped there. Especially if you are with people, you can't very well leave. So that could be some of your anxiety.
Hi, RY. No, you are not alone in this. An experienced therapist should be able to help you with this. Sometimes you have to 'shop around' to find one who fits though. I used to suffer from this too.
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Anne-Marie, Site Administrator
If you were to eat alone in your own house would you not panic? I have issues eating out in public sometimes. Especially if I am at a restaurant with a bunch of people and at a table, not a booth. I just feel like people are watching me eat so I tend not to.
Hello everyone,
I€™d guesstimate that my panic attacks happen about 80-90% of the time when eating food with 3 or more people is the €œsituation€. The lead-up is terrifying, the meal is a battle and the aftermath is no better.
Over the years when I€™ve tried to explain this to therapists, doctors or psychologist they all seem thrown by this and have little to no answers. This makes me wonder€¦am I alone? I€™m I the first case of a guy in his late 20s early 30s that suffers from this?
All my life I€™ve been known as a picky eater and yes, that€™s true I am. Eating for me is a chore not a joy. From about age 13-30 (4 years ago) I was a thin 6€™ guy and when thin guys don€™t eat much or don€™t clear their plates many people often verbally point out €œNo wonder you€™re so skinny€. I know this has been a big part of it and thus self confidence is also a big part of it.
So I guess I€™m curious to know if I€™m alone on this or are there others out there that also have high anxiety and/or panic attacks when food is involved?
Thanks
Ry
