Answers, What is the fear of eating in front of people called? I cannot stand eating in front of others. They become so overwhelmed at the possibility of gagging, they can avoid eating solid foods altogether. You already know it's an irrational thought. We'll go over symptoms and potential causes before discussing how therapy can help you regain control. Just don't focus on what others are doing around you and just enjoy what your eating. I never fully lived in the moment then and said what I wanted so now my mind is somewhat stuck in the past.? I feel a tight lump sensation in my throat at all times. I am less self conscious now that I'm much older. In severe cases, you might limit what you eat to baby food, soft foods, such as mashed potatoes or pudding or live entirely on a liquid diet. When someone does start staring at me I stop eating for a little bit. It is often a fear of something very specific, such as the fear of flying or the fear of dogs but people can have a phobia about anything. How historic are you? Through repeated exposure to what you fear, you will extinct this fear. You may have this phobia if chickens make you panic. They were funny, I knew they were jokes, and I laughed. Answers, http://forum.psychlinks.ca/eating-di...-disorder.html, Welcome to Psychlinks Psychology Self-Help & Mental Health Support Forums, Psychology, Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Health, Psychology, Psychiatry, and Mental Health, Medical Conditions, Health, and Mental Health, Health Care, Medicare, Disability, ODSP, SSI, Mental Health in the Workplace and on Campus, Attitudes, Myths, Stigma, and Raising Awareness, Medical Myths, Denialism, Quackery, and Conspiracy Theories, Mental Health Information on the Internet, Depression, Dysthymia, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Eating Disorders, Dieting, Healthy Eating, Body Image, Binge Eating, Emotional Eating, Compulsive Eating, Bullying, Harassment, Interpersonal Violence, Surviving Abuse or Dysfunctional Families, Ending Relationships: Separation and Divorce, Gender Differences, Gender Role Stereotypes, Self-Esteem, Self-Concept, Relating to Others, Pregnancy, Infertility, Newborns, Toddlers, Medications and Vaccinations During Pregnancy, ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Tourette Syndrome and Tourette Syndrome +, Schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorders, Personality Disorders: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Research, Antisocial Personality Disorder & Psychopathy, Addictions, Compulsive Behaviors, Alcohol and Drug Use, Compulsive Behaviors & Behavioral Addictions, Alternative Medicine - Alternative Therapies - Natural Remedies, See also Medical Myths, Denialism, Quackery, and Conspiracy Theories, Newsletter Featured Threads [closed to posting], If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the. NOM NOM NOM! It's crazy! The feelings associated with certain foods may not prompt "anxiety symptoms" may be include nausea, vomiting or revulsion to the particular food although for some people certain foods do invoke feelings of fear. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. This process is progressive and can take weeks or months to complete but your therapist will work with you to help you overcome your anxiety and be able to eat and enjoy foods. At first, you may not swallow the food but be asked to hold it in your mouth, then as you get used to that, a food with a little more solidity than you are used to may be introduced, until you are able to swallow it. I've had this social phobia of eating in front of others for about three years.