Hello! I am bonnie and I am 17 years old.
I have posted on ehealth forum before,
but under the category of
anxiety/depression. Basically, I am
afraid of food. I have always had a lot
of food allergies ever since I was a
little kid. But, I do know what I am and
am not allergic to. Unfortunately I am
afraid to eat things, thinking that I
might end up being allergic to it and
having an allergic reaction to it, stop
breathing, and just die. I never use to
be this way. I loved food! I wasn't
afraid to eat things. But ever since we
started moving a lot b/c of my dad's new
job I have started developing anxiety. I
honestly think when I eat some things I
make myself such a nervous wreck about
being allergic to it, that I make my body
seem as if I am having a reaction to it,
which also makes the anxiety act up. I am
not on any meds for anxiety/depression.
My mother thinks i'd be better off w/o it.
I have pretty much learned to calm myself
down..But I still worry a lot. I have
been battling this food phobia since the
end of november 2003. Then I weighed
about 145, now i'm at about 115. I am
constantly eating the same exact
things...Such as mac n cheese, rice
krispies, and wendy's burgers, b/c they
are my comfort foods and I know i'm not
allergic to it. But even though I know
i'm not allergic to those things, I still
worry some. All I drink is water. I get
chest pains a lot, and my heart is always
racing. I recently went to the dentist
and he found 10 cavities. He said I am
malnurished I believe, and that I should
be checked for diabetes. My mother and I
have noticed that my hair is sheding a lot
more now, and that my skin is very dry. I
know I need to eat healthier and with more
variety..I'm just scared. I actually feel
psycotic...And maybe I am? I know my
eating habits are wrong and I know they
are everytime I eat the same thing. I
want to be healthy and live a long life.
What should I do? I definately should see
a Dr. Maybe even a psychiatrist? But I
wouldn't want anyone forcing me to eat.
That would only frustrate me! Thanks for
anyone's advice/help that you may give me.
I hope I can get my life back in order
soon! ~bon
|
purple333
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 1420 Location: Sydney
Posted: 04-25-04 14:46pm
Obviously you know you have to eat, so
start with deciding what scares you least,
what you "like" most & go with those -
if needed eat often & little rather
than making yourself ill.
I suggest you look into cbt - see posts by
qt3 for full explanation of this - course
are often free/cheap at universities or
hospitals.
|
bon
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 31 Dec 2003 Posts: 4
Hey.. Posted: 04-25-04 21:01pm
Thanks for the reply. Well I couldn't
find any posts by qt3...And what is cbt?
Thanks for your help. ~bon
|
purple333
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 1420 Location: Sydney
Posted: 04-26-04 17:12pm
Cbt is cognitive behaviour therapy &
according to a male psych I know it is
often more helpful to women than men
siimply because females are mroe likely to
do the homework & practise the skills
however men can of course benefit if they
put in the effort!!
Qt3 - type in qt3 in the quick search bar
at the top of this page & a pile of
topic areas that qt3 has posted under will
come up otherwise go to depression or
anxiety/stress forums & see posts by
qt3.
bon -check out this cite. I had a
friend who went through a similar
situation although definetly not to your
extreme. I don't think your reasons of
being afraid of food is unfound, as with
any seroious allergy, bees etc- people are
afraid of what may happen. You know
what you are or are not allergic to, so
stick with those foods- but choose
healthier versions as opposed to junk
foods to nourish yourself more, and junk
foods as a treat, not a daily menu. See
if your dr can provide you with allergy
tests on other foods, to relax your fears
a bit. I hope I helped a little take
care!!!! And eat your food!!!
