Anyone else

Hi does anyone else feel like it’s impossible to feel relaxed like your body feels weird right and tense all day long you never get that relaxed relief feeling? Also I’m 21 and I’ve been out of work for a year with generalised anxiety disorder and panic and I feel like I’ve wasted a year of my life and that I feel like I’m not cut out for life like things that seem easy to others are impossibly difficult like I overthink every single situation even getting my haircut. I focus on my swallowing so much since I choked a couple of months back that I spit food out constantly and just snack all day with about 18 packets of crisps and never eat a full on meal other than risotto where as before I’d eat steak every day pizza now just snack which stresses me out. I’ve seen doctors who say my throat is fine too. Any advice or anyone else constantly ruminate over tiny things?

[brokenlight]

I can relate to that & it’s awful.

I don’t have a whole lot of advice but I’m glad you’re taking some time to work some of it out.

Anxiety can be such a tricky bastard.

I’m sorry for your pain & suffering.

[Gillyflower18]

Try progressive relaxation. There are lots of good ones online. Helps me! Also meditation. Headspace is a good site. Also I like Michael Sealey.

[NeuroticSanity]

My very first patient with swallowing disorders was a man with your very same fear. Try some moist and easy-to-chew options like canned tuna, egg salad, and cereal with milk. Take very small bites; using small utensils can help, but filling full-size ones only part way should be adequate. Chew very carefully to be sure the food is broken up well before you swallow. Have you spoken with your doctor, or to a speech pathologists about the swallowing issue? There are tests to determine if there is any physical cause for concern. A good result from such tests may help to ease your mind. If the result is bad, there are therapies and strategies. Talk to a psychologist about your traumatic experience, if you haven't done so already.