Sorry to hear this is happening. Sometimes my anxiety is so bad I vomit. It has also made me nervous about sitting at a table and eating at family gatherings. A trick I use to cope is to make sure I have plentyof water to drink, or a soothing drink like sprite or ginger ale. I also have a little something to hold in my hand and fidget with as a distraction. No shame in excusing yourself to go to the restroom to do some breathing and regroup. Best of luck and let us know how it goes.

You are not alone with this problem. When I am really anxious and nervous, I for some reason, have trouble chewing my food and getting it down. I start to panic and think I won't be able to get the food down without choking on it. Are you taking anything for anxiety? If you are, I would suggest you take it about an hour before dinner, depending on which one you are on. If you aren't, then practice taking slow deep breaths, cut your food very small and try to engage in the conversation so you aren't thinking so much on your fear of choking. Let us know how the party goes. Hugs GB

I completely understand what you are going through. I had lots of difficulty eating in social situations for the longest time. I couldn't eat in restaurants and I often had to eat my dinner alone, away from the table. It took me a long time to conquer this but I found that distracting myself in the conversation worked and taking a bathroom break also helped me. I am very petite, so I was always very worried that people would think that I had an eating disorder. It also helped me to not focus on the food but on whatever else was going on at the table. I would always like to have enough water or soda at the table to help with the nausea. I know it is easier said than done, but try to to worry what other people think. You are in control of what you want to eat, not other people. Remember that every tough situation you go through will give you more strength for the next one. I'm sorry you are going through this, I know how hard it is. Let us know how it goes.

Hi,

I have it and my doctors have diagnosed it as dysphagia. I have had every test possible done in the hospital on my esophagus, and it is structurally sound. GERD can cause it, which I have, so I take prescription heartburn medicine. It has helped a bit with the dysphagia and the painful heart burn. It can also be caused by certain autoimmune diseases and I have two (Mixed connective Tissue Disease and Raynaud's Disease). Finally, anxiety can cause dysphagia, which I also have.

I have valium that I can take if the dysphagia starts to get bad and I start to have a panic attack.

It has gotten better lately, but it is on my mind every day.

I hope you get some relief! Gabrielle

Also, I NEVER go anywhere without water - that would cause a panic attack. I went on a White House tour (they do not allow water) and my doctor had to write a doctors note for me so that I could keep my water!

Gabrielle