Social Food Anxiety. Am I the only one?

[marks]

Hello

My name is Mark. I am 22 years old and a slim build. This is the first time I've made a post on the internet about my disorder. Basically, I get very anxious around food when I am not by myself, at home. I go out sometimes and the very thought of food makes me feel sick, when I get home and I am alone, I stuff my face till I am full.

This may have started for me when I was younger and got food poisoning from a local restaurant. That along with suffering from stomach ulcers (thankfully managed and very under control). I have seen a Psychologist 4 times. He gave me some good exercises to work on and I have also read "the happiness trap - by Doctor Russ Harris".

Nothing seems to be working. I try so hard to keep calm and do the things my Doc has told me, but I just get incredibly overwhelmed and have to get up and leave. This has a really harsh impact on my relationship. Every time I leave the house I think if I have eaten, and if I have, I get very anxious that I am going to be sick in front of people (I never have been). Even if the place I go to doesn't include food, I still start to feel sick.

My girlfriend knows of my situation and is very understanding. Today was fathers day. We went out for lunch, I felt so embarrassed not ordering anything blaming that I had a big breakfast for not eating (I tell a lot of little lies to get out of eating, and I hate that I do).

Like I said I can eat plenty when at home by myself. I love food, I wish I could go out and enjoy a good meal. Is anybody else in the same boat as me here? and any tips on things to try? I don't want to have to resort to being medicated.

Thanks for taking the time to read.

Mark

[alankay]

If the psychologist's tips failed, I'd meet with a GP and ask about a trial of a benzo med as this isn't a daily thing for you. JUST for those times.
I might ask about serax(Oxazepam) as it is the least likely to be habit forming and not very long acting. Say may 10-15 mgs an hour before the meal to start and go from there.
If this is distressing you enough this might be an option if you are not open to a daily ssri.
You could also try the old antihistamine atarax but it might make you drowsy.
Seeing as how this might be once or twice a month the doc might be open to trying it and as you get desensitized to meals out you might be able to get by with less and less as time goes by.
It doesn't sound like a beta blocker is what you need as you don't mention shaking or tremor.
PM me any time. Alankay

[jessed03]

Definitely like Alan said. Sometimes exposure therapy, which is hands down the best btw, is too intense. You clearly aren't getting the most out of the exercises. That's ok, some people are like that. People with agoraphobia deal with this a lot. Something that will relax you a bit, just enough to get you through exposure, in a way that keeps you feeling pushed, yet in control, is probably gonna help your success increase here. Good luck!

[octopus]

Im the same way man. Im also really grossed out by dirty plates.
I dont eat much going out. But eat snacks alll day when im home