Chronic anaphylaxis fear

[S-ash]

Over the last few years I've developed a worsening fear of going in to anaphylactic shock despite not having any known allergies after a family friend sadly died after suffering a reaction to peanuts.

This started by avoiding peanuts then nuts and has now got so bad two years later that I've developed a phobia of food and subsequently an eating disorder 😞

I have suffered awful health anxiety since I was 8 and before this could control it without the use of medications.

It would be nice to know if anyone has ever experienced something similar and come out the other side. It's physically and mentally changed me so much as a person and I worry for not only my future but my partners and sons as this continues to spiral out of control.

[Madrilean77]

Hi S-ash,

I am scared to death of a possible anaphylactic reaction, although I do not have a good reason to be. I have no known allergies but I cannot bring myself to get over this fear. Everytime I need to have a medicine ( even if I have had them before) I go into a panic and start having difficulty breathing. I'm not taking my anxiety meds for this reason. I simply cannot do it. I am getting a bit better with foods now, but I was the same as you a couple of months ago.

I had a severe and unexplained coughing fit about a yeat and a half ago and had to be rushed to ER. The doctors couldn't find a cause and prescribed antihistamine and ventolin, My anxiety problems started then. I'm uncertain to what could have triggered it so now I have a blanket-fear of anything that touches my lips.

Hypnotherapy has undoubtly helped and now I am going to give EMDR a go.

It does get better but it takes time. I hope it helps to know that you are not alone 🙂