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How do you control those thoughts you get when you are scared of eating?

10 Answers
Last Updated: 01/17/2018 at 3:18am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
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Danielle Johnson, MSED, Community mental Health Counseling, LMHC

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Sometime situations and feelings can be so strong that we struggle to function. You are not alone! My practice is flexible and open-minded and tailored to your personal needs.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
November 16th, 2015 2:05am
Sometimes you have to block it all out and do it on an impulse. It's sort of like jumping off a high dive, or confessing a secret to your friend, or anything like that. If you overthink it you're never going to be able to do it.
EverlastingLove96
February 6th, 2015 10:37pm
Write them down. When you write them down, they become real and you become responsible for them. You also take control over what is controlling you.
Anonymous
April 27th, 2015 11:15pm
I try to think of long term goals. For example, this one meal may seem like nothing but soon I'll be back to my old ways. Try and think of what you really want and need to be happy and healthy x
Anonymous
May 4th, 2015 7:02pm
Great question! Honestly, I'm not sure there is a simple answer to this question. I wish there were. Maybe time is the answer, taking time to try, to practice certain coping skills that may relieve your initial anxiety around eating. I won't list the multitude of skills people use to do this for lack of space and fear of rambling forever, but you might try consulting the 7cups guides in the menu at the top of the site. Some good ones might be managing emotions, anxiety, and eating disorders.
KirstyCustard123
June 16th, 2015 8:40pm
You have to tell yourself you NEED to eat, you must eat to live and function and be happy! You're good enough, you're worth it. You have to eat and be the stronger person, don't give in to the demons in your mind that want you to be miserable and not live your life
Anonymous
August 31st, 2015 7:37am
When I struggled with anorexia, I put a name on the voice that told me that I shouldn't eat - "the Gremlin". Having a name for the thing for the thoughts that made me scared to eat was a relief. It gave me the ability to distance myself from those thoughts. Remind yourself that whatever "the Gremlin" says, you are worthy of food. You deserve to live in a healthy, well-nourished body. It's a struggle, but I promise that you'll get there.
ladycat946
July 25th, 2016 1:41am
You could try to take deep breaths, eat what you like and not what you don't usually hate, you can try to take it step by step.
sereneMelon86
October 4th, 2016 1:39am
Whenever I get scared of eating, I think of my body being upset that I haven't ate. I like to imagine there are little creatures in my body that get sad when they're hungry. :( I also think about the people that care about me that would be sad to see me not eat. :)
Anonymous
January 9th, 2018 3:44pm
I try to remind myself to be kind to my body, and that it requires nourishment for my brain to function.
pawsdash
January 17th, 2018 3:18am
Take moments away from the situation- accept that you might not always have good days and that's okay. Learn to do something that distracts you while eating such as watching a favourite show or reading a book. Possibly make a rule that you can only watch new episodes/read new chapters when eating so that you look forward to eating