what to do...

[ricci]

Hey everyone,
I'm new and this is my first post! I've been emetophobic for about 5 years now... I just want to know what do u guys do when u are not being able to eat! Bcz I've had it with my weight loss...

[wargerbil]

I have a lot of abdominal pain/bloating/nausea as the result of some surgeries/infections. If I don't feel able to eat, I don't. As soon as I feel like I could eat a little something, I do, even if it's just toast or soup or crackers. When I am feeling ok, I eat really, really well. I haven't had any weight loss because of it (at least not after I was acutely ill - when I first got sick I lost over 20 lbs in 2 wks, but I gained most of it back).

[cinque]

If I feel anxious and that is putting me off my food, I try to tempt myslelf with things that are easy to eat that I know I like. Even if it's just toast or yoghurt etc. I don't make myself eat a big meal if I am not in the mood, but I try not to get into the habit of eating only a tiny amount. what sort of things put you off eating? Is it pure anxiety or is it worrying that food isn't safe, or is it other things? xxx

[ricci]

Its just pure anxiety, I rarely worry anout the food not being safe. I dnt eat in public places bcz of the fear of being sick in public... I force myself to eat sometimes bcz I'm skinny and I fear passing out or being dizzy

[PinkP]

Protein shakes, high calorie soup and multi vitamins is what i swear by when I feel like I can`t eat.

[Rebecca85]

I sometimes struggle with eating because of stomach problems, not emet, but I buy the meal replacement drinks for slimmers, they're a good way of getting balanced nutrition. I just keep a tub of powder in the cupboard so I can make up the shakes as and when I want one. Also when you do eat, try and go for higher calorie versions. Eg real butter and full fat dairy.

[jasminemarie]

Hi Ricci,

I'm new too, but I understand completely what you're saying about anxiety making you fear eating/or feeling unable to eat.
I've learnt that often if you can just eat a little, you might feel gross and really anxious for like 30 minutes or so after but you will eventually feel better for eating. Also, I know that sometimes my anxiety leads to n* but that is combined with an empty stomach. As almost impossible as it is, try and think logically in that your body needs food and that hunger could be an underlying problem to perhaps n* and therefore avoiding eating.

Jasmine

[Mumof2]

I eat things like toast, bananas and yoghurt when I'm feeling like that. The sort of things you eat when your not well I suppose!

Jasmine has hit it spot on though, not eating enough makes you feel N* anyway so you might aswell try and eat normally where you will only feel like that until it goes down and in return you will have more energy and might not lose as much weight. We need to try and interpret that full feeling as non threatening.

Easy for me to say. My first post here on Monday was the same thing. And yet today I feel I can eat normally again.