hopeful
05-11-2001, 03:32 AM
I used to go to restaurants, partys, family get togethers, you name it. This may sound crazy, but, the last 6 months or so I am terrified to eat anything that anyone makes for me. If I turn my back on my drink for one moment I refuse to go back to it. And, retaurants are just asking for a panic attack to occur. I can't eat candy or food which has never been opened if it has holes or anything that doesn't look right. I feel like this total freak, that wipes everything off before I touch it afraid that something will soak in my skin that someone put on there. I am driving myself crazy with this. I have lost a ton of weight in this past month, because I am becoming afraid to eat altogether! All it takes is for me to convince myself that I have eatin poison and here comes the panic, so I feel like if I don't eat or drink then I can avoid panicking. I do have an appt. with a therapist next week, but I need more than that. I need some support from someone out there who is experiencing something somewhat similar. I am tired of these unrealistic thoughts. I mean, I leave my closed drink in the car, set the alarm, and then when I return am afraid to drink it. Realisticly I know it wasn't poisoned, but somehow I will convince myself that it is, and I would rather not drink it than take a chance of a panic attack.
Please Help
Very hopeful-not hopeless yet :(
Please Help
Very hopeful-not hopeless yet :(
Sponsor
Scaredy Kat
06-02-2001, 10:33 AM
Hi Hopeful,
Please let me know how your therapy appointment went. I understand completely (I feel the same way about leaving your drink in the car) how you feel.
I read your post this morning, and then I took some time to post my own experience with this bizarre phobia. I hope you take a moment to read it.
I'm glad you're looking into some extra support, because you don't want to lose too much weight due to being so afraid. :)
You don't say how old you are.
Gee, if only we were phobia about something less impacting, like rattlesnakes (we don't have them in my area). Ha ha.
Please keep me posted on your therapy and how you're feeling. It can be rough, I know.
Please let me know how your therapy appointment went. I understand completely (I feel the same way about leaving your drink in the car) how you feel.
I read your post this morning, and then I took some time to post my own experience with this bizarre phobia. I hope you take a moment to read it.
I'm glad you're looking into some extra support, because you don't want to lose too much weight due to being so afraid. :)
You don't say how old you are.
Gee, if only we were phobia about something less impacting, like rattlesnakes (we don't have them in my area). Ha ha.
Please keep me posted on your therapy and how you're feeling. It can be rough, I know.
Cat82
06-27-2001, 12:54 PM
Hi, I know that it has been a little late in the month but I was wonderin' how you were doin'. I read the post, it sounds bad. Try to make your own food. You don't want to develop an E.D :((Trust me it ain't comedy) Take it easy, bye :)
[This message has been edited by Cat82 (edited 06-27-2001).]
[This message has been edited by Cat82 (edited 06-27-2001).]
Scaredy Kat
06-28-2001, 09:38 AM
I too, have been checking back to this post to see how you are doing, Hopeful.
I read your reply to my post about my fear of being poisoned. Although I think it would be a good idea to exchange e-mails to discuss this together, in part, I find that a bit uncomfortable for me because I just don't talk about this one fear of mine, even though I want to. Please know that I have been thinking about you ever since you posted, and I was anxious to hear how your therapy appointment went.
I was hoping that more people would respond to my original post - I guess this fear isn't too prevalent!
I am currently looking into some type of cognitive behavior therapy for myself regarding this phobia. I did go back to see a therapist that I was seeing for a time last year, but I do not think I am going to get the kind of counseling I need to conquer this phobia.
Since my last post, nothing has changed for me, meaning, I am still stuck! But I have been a little braver this past week and have been eating some 'new' foods that, even though it's upsetting to me, I am pushing ahead on.
To CAT82, for me, even preparing and eating my own food is difficult for me because I am worried about someone tampering with the food in some way before I prepare it and cook it at home. I don't know if you had a moment to read my post on here about my fear of being poisoned or drugged, but it sure had a strong hold on me. I think it's kind that you are following up on Hopeful to see how things are.
I am a little sad that no-one but Hopeful has asked how I am doing or has any other advice for me, but I realize that that can be the nature of these boards some times.
Take care.
I read your reply to my post about my fear of being poisoned. Although I think it would be a good idea to exchange e-mails to discuss this together, in part, I find that a bit uncomfortable for me because I just don't talk about this one fear of mine, even though I want to. Please know that I have been thinking about you ever since you posted, and I was anxious to hear how your therapy appointment went.
I was hoping that more people would respond to my original post - I guess this fear isn't too prevalent!
I am currently looking into some type of cognitive behavior therapy for myself regarding this phobia. I did go back to see a therapist that I was seeing for a time last year, but I do not think I am going to get the kind of counseling I need to conquer this phobia.
Since my last post, nothing has changed for me, meaning, I am still stuck! But I have been a little braver this past week and have been eating some 'new' foods that, even though it's upsetting to me, I am pushing ahead on.
To CAT82, for me, even preparing and eating my own food is difficult for me because I am worried about someone tampering with the food in some way before I prepare it and cook it at home. I don't know if you had a moment to read my post on here about my fear of being poisoned or drugged, but it sure had a strong hold on me. I think it's kind that you are following up on Hopeful to see how things are.
I am a little sad that no-one but Hopeful has asked how I am doing or has any other advice for me, but I realize that that can be the nature of these boards some times.
Take care.
Cat82
07-18-2001, 01:42 PM
Hey, wazzup? How has it been? 'Ey I have the perfect http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/idea.gif Try to grow your own food :) Nobody tampers with the seeds. Check it like Holloween candy if you want. You can grow it in the house. All ya need is a high-power lamp as the sun...or put it on the window pane where the sun shine almost all day. Try it :p
[This message has been edited by Cat82 (edited 07-18-2001).]
[This message has been edited by Cat82 (edited 07-18-2001).]
Scaredy Kat
07-18-2001, 04:42 PM
Hi Cat82:
I appreciate you taking the time to ask how these posters on here are doing. Not to sound too critical here, I want to let you know that I do take slight offense to the laid-back attitude of your most recent post. I know nothing about you, so I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt about your post, and just consider you ignorant rather than trying to be deliberately funny about something that clearly isn't.
My phobia has such a hold on me that sometimes I have to stand in the kitchen vascillating between the fridge and the cupboard trying to decide what I can eat that I wouldn't be afraid of. Sometimes I go to bed hungry because of the way I think and feel about my food being tampered with. I throw out a lot of good food because of the ways I think and feel.
If you had bothered to REALLY read what was being written, you would understand that sometimes even something that sounds simple like "growing your own food" would have associated road blocks for someone who worries over food tampering. Dealing with phobias can be hard work, and your one-minute post comes across as flip rather than helpful. If only it was that easy...
I realize logically that my phobia is a very strong, irrational one. I am working on it, too. However, for some reason, my mind is holding onto the illogical part of the reasoning.
Also, realistically, with the way you've described this perfect solution - starvation would come quickly, since there isn't too much one can grow on a window to provide all the nutrition that a person needs to eat three healthy meals a day forever. PLUS, this really wouldn't conquer the phobia now, would it?
It's like saying to a person who has an eating disorder to just KEEP EATING despite how they feel. I feel that unless a person has something truly productively supportive to offer, why even bother to post?
Do you have the same phobia? If not, then you can't possibly put yourself in my shoes, and hence, you truly have no reason to post on this particular topic. I can understand being empathic, but your post didn't even seem that.
Take care in how you present yourself on here, someone may be depending on what you say. It is fortunate that I have enough supports to do without your latest suggestion.
[This message has been edited by Scaredy Kat (edited 07-18-2001).]
I appreciate you taking the time to ask how these posters on here are doing. Not to sound too critical here, I want to let you know that I do take slight offense to the laid-back attitude of your most recent post. I know nothing about you, so I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt about your post, and just consider you ignorant rather than trying to be deliberately funny about something that clearly isn't.
My phobia has such a hold on me that sometimes I have to stand in the kitchen vascillating between the fridge and the cupboard trying to decide what I can eat that I wouldn't be afraid of. Sometimes I go to bed hungry because of the way I think and feel about my food being tampered with. I throw out a lot of good food because of the ways I think and feel.
If you had bothered to REALLY read what was being written, you would understand that sometimes even something that sounds simple like "growing your own food" would have associated road blocks for someone who worries over food tampering. Dealing with phobias can be hard work, and your one-minute post comes across as flip rather than helpful. If only it was that easy...
I realize logically that my phobia is a very strong, irrational one. I am working on it, too. However, for some reason, my mind is holding onto the illogical part of the reasoning.
Also, realistically, with the way you've described this perfect solution - starvation would come quickly, since there isn't too much one can grow on a window to provide all the nutrition that a person needs to eat three healthy meals a day forever. PLUS, this really wouldn't conquer the phobia now, would it?
It's like saying to a person who has an eating disorder to just KEEP EATING despite how they feel. I feel that unless a person has something truly productively supportive to offer, why even bother to post?
Do you have the same phobia? If not, then you can't possibly put yourself in my shoes, and hence, you truly have no reason to post on this particular topic. I can understand being empathic, but your post didn't even seem that.
Take care in how you present yourself on here, someone may be depending on what you say. It is fortunate that I have enough supports to do without your latest suggestion.
[This message has been edited by Scaredy Kat (edited 07-18-2001).]
Cat82
07-18-2001, 06:14 PM
Sorry. I didn't think about that...what can I do to help? It do sound rather hard. Have you checked with a counslor. That's what I did. Maybe they have answers to make you feel better. Try.
Cat82
08-15-2001, 04:52 PM
Helloooo....anybody there?
chinadoll66102
09-06-2001, 10:43 PM
hello eveyrone. Gee, I have a problem that is similar, however, it doesn't control my life to that extent. See, here's my criteria:
-won't eat at crappy-looking restraunts
-feel really anxious after eating food that was 'questinable'
I beacsme this way after I ate at a fast food place, and got super sick from an undercooked hambager. I didn't go to the hospitol, but man, I don't know how I made it sometimes. Talk about food poisoning! I haven't eaten a piece of red meat since. It really doesn't have to do with that too much anymore, I just hate the taste and even the smell of meat.
However, I'm here to provide hope! I was afraid of getting sick from all meats, like chicken and fish. It took some time, but I can now eat chicken and fish...as long as I make sure it's prepared correctly. Being precausious about food handling isn't bad, but when it runs your life in ways that you know are illogical, that's when it is bad.
Maybe you should do this: anytime you have a fear of someone poisoning you and you know it wasn't possible, just dive right in and eat it. Then, remember that moment for the life of you. Because you will have turned out okay, so just remember that moment: when you ate or drank something and you turned out okay!
Good luck!
-won't eat at crappy-looking restraunts
-feel really anxious after eating food that was 'questinable'
I beacsme this way after I ate at a fast food place, and got super sick from an undercooked hambager. I didn't go to the hospitol, but man, I don't know how I made it sometimes. Talk about food poisoning! I haven't eaten a piece of red meat since. It really doesn't have to do with that too much anymore, I just hate the taste and even the smell of meat.
However, I'm here to provide hope! I was afraid of getting sick from all meats, like chicken and fish. It took some time, but I can now eat chicken and fish...as long as I make sure it's prepared correctly. Being precausious about food handling isn't bad, but when it runs your life in ways that you know are illogical, that's when it is bad.
Maybe you should do this: anytime you have a fear of someone poisoning you and you know it wasn't possible, just dive right in and eat it. Then, remember that moment for the life of you. Because you will have turned out okay, so just remember that moment: when you ate or drank something and you turned out okay!
Good luck!
cowboy junkies
04-16-2007, 10:25 PM
Scaredy Kat i read ur original post i wish more than anything u would come back online as i HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM word for word im suffering so much nd tormented looking for a diagnosis its ruining my life this fear.......
Im hoping u come back online so we can discuss this matter i want to see how uve been doing as it was a longtime since ur post i will check everyweek for a while to see if uve posted anything oh nd thanku for sharing.
Im hoping u come back online so we can discuss this matter i want to see how uve been doing as it was a longtime since ur post i will check everyweek for a while to see if uve posted anything oh nd thanku for sharing.