I'm so stressed out I haven't been able to eat properly for over a week

[Snoozlepops]

And it's making things worse and I can't seem to eat more. I'm trying to force myself to eat small nutritious things but they just turn to dust in my mouth and lumps in my throat.

There is nothing I can do about the situation causing this level of stress and no foreseeable end to it. I have to find a.way to cope.

I'm so hungry I feel weak and shaky all the time which I know is making it harder to handle the stress. I have kids I need to cook for and feed and feel barely able to stand in front of the cooker. Driving feels difficult too as I'm so jittery.

Im sorry to hear that OP. Sounds utterly terrible. Can you try and drink some calories? Smoothies, soups, coffees (decaf probably best if you’re stressed I’d imagine?).

I’ve been there with being too stressed to eat and the only solution I’ve found is to force myself to eat even it tastes disgusting and I don’t want to swallow it. Once I’ve forced it down a few times it gets easier to eat a little bit more. Small but regular really helps me.

Is it worth saying a little about the cause of the stress in case anyone can offer any advice? Even if it’s only to say it’s work-related or family stuff?

It's family related on multiple fronts and honestly there is nothing I can do about any of it at the moment, every possible solution will make it worse in a different way and every genuine solution that would help requires money I don't have and have no means of gaining!

I think smoothies are the way forward yes, good shout. I can get some stuff to make them this morning I think. Cram them with yoghurt and fruit and nut butter.

Meal replacement will be better than smoothies. Hope things get better soon

You can buy high protein ready-made meal-replacement shakes in the supermarket, OP - they're quite nice, in various flavours like choc, strawberry, vanilla. Maybe worth a try.
I'm sorry about your stress, it's awful to be so stressed that it's having such a physical effect on you.

When eating can you watch your favourite show on tv to take your mind off the food? Or play an online game? Or eat with the kids and talk to them? Anything to take your mind off the actual eating part?

In a similar situation. I feel for you. I would recommend speaking to your GP, medication to help desk with the stress was really helpful for me. Otherwise you’ll just have to think about eating as fuelling your body and make yourself eat. Find what is most palatable to you and eat that while your family eats something else. Even if it’s just toast for every meal.

I’m so sorry. I hope things improve somehow.

Another vote for meal replacements or at least Complan. Do try to see your GP as I think it would be sensible to have an overall review at this level of stress.

I’ve been there OP. When I’m stressed or anxious my appetite disappears and I can’t eat solid food it makes me sick.

Huel meal replacement shakes (most supermarkets sell them ready made in the drinks section), smoothies, and protein shakes all help. I hope things get easier for you soon x

Sympathy OP. Keep hydrated and, as well as the recommendations above, could you be tempted by foods which gave you comfort as a child? For me that would be a soft boiled egg and soldiers.

I’ve been in a similar state in the past and talking to my GP definitely helped. At the time he gave me a week’s prescription of diazepam which of course didn’t change the situation but it allowed me to sleep and for my mind to unwind enough to be able to eat. If possible could you afford a few sessions of therapy? If you’re stuck in a situation you can’t change, sometimes being able to alter how you think about it, can help.

Unfortunately the lack of nutrition will make you even more jittery, so you do need to get something inside you. Meal replacement shakes are the best option.

Can you see your GP to get help? You can’t go on like this, whatever the situation is.

I’m sorry OP. That sounds really hard. Do reach out to your gp if you can; that level of stress sounds like it would benefit from some additional support.

Echoing other replies - smoothies, meal replacements, yoghurts, milkshakes etc might be more palatable for you. Perhaps try foods at different temperatures too? Sometimes very cold food can be easier to nibble at. Frozen yoghurt?Keep hydrated too.

Also distraction - can you eat whilst doing something else that you enjoy? Perhaps a few mouthfuls of something would go down easier if you were reading/watching tv etc.

Thanks all, maybe I will try speaking to my GP. I hadn't really considered that tbh!

Usually I love food too, I make everything from scratch and love cooking so it's really hard for me to feel like this and also hard for me to relax and rely on convenience food for the DC!

Go the GP and ask for some medication to settle your nerves.

Try cafe au latte skimfast from amazon. They are often much cheaper than else where although Costco can be a good price. Drink them really cold if possible.
When I went through a period of high stress (thankfully fairly short lived) I also couldn’t eat. I just couldn’t. However if I’m feeling just a little stressy I have to watch out that I don’t overeat as I think I crave the ‘comfort’ of carby or sweet food.

I hope you feel better soon. It’s horrible when you are in a situation where you have no control. I kept telling myself that I was doing the best I could, that I can’t fix everything and to wait it out. Luckily my issue fixed itself. I really hope yours does to.

I did find talking about it to close trusted friends helped.

Huel shakes, not the low calorie ones, the normal ones.

I have cancer and went through a spell when eating was difficult. I kept a stock in the fridge and would force myself to drink a glass every few hours.

Also stop with the trying to eat healthy nutritious food. You aren’t on a yoga retreat. You need calories and probably hydration. Get your favourite cake, biscuits and sugary tea, a ready meal or takeaway you love, full fat coke, I love Schweppes ginger ale when I feel like this.

The one thing that will make the situation for your family member worse is you collapsing and having a stoke.

Returning to this to report that things are no better. I called my GP, unfortunately due to them being flooded last year they are operating a half arsed service and I got a phone appointment with a locum 2 days later. He was unsympathetic and unhelpful, suggested SSRIs which I said I was reluctant to start as the way I feel is entirely reactive to a stressful situation, I don't think I am fundamentally depressed or have a problem other than the terrible situation I cannot change. He then basically accused me of trying to get benzo diazepines prescribed which wasn't what I was trying to do at all. So no help forthcoming there.

I have lost over a stone. I'm subsisting on smoothies and tiny portions that just feel like dust in my mouth. I'm so anxious I am being sick most mornings (no, I'm not pregnant, chance would be a fine thing!!).

I tried to register for social housing as moving would help a lot, but was given the lowest banding as I have no medical or other priority needs. I thought perhaps having a child with ASD would make us higher priority but apparently not. So I have no way out of my current situation and have to find ways to cope somehow...

Oh that’s a shame that an SSRI doesn’t feel right, I have certainly had them help very much with an acute issue, I only really get reactive depression and an SSRI for a few months let me get on with life until things were better. But I know they’re not for every situation.

I get like this when I’m stressed and anxious.
Eating wise I focus on small, high calorie, easy swallow food. So weird things like rice pudding and cheese omelettes.
Have you tried any supplements for anxiety such as ashwagandha or l-theanine. Magnesium glycinate for sleep. I do feel that can make a difference.
Did the Gp not suggest propanol? I take small amounts of it to stave off the physical panic feelings. Works quite well to help keep me functional.
Go back and ask about propanalol.

I find when I’m that stressed that very milky porridge with a decent dollop of honey will usually go down - I think it’s a combination of the sweet flavour and texture. Sympathy OP, it’s a rubbish place to be.

Just get some snacks for the dc, it won't harm them short term And just eat what you can, don't let eating or not add to your stress Have you any friends or family that would cook for you or have your dc to feed them?

I get this too. I find drinking full fat milk, or very milky drinks, is also possible. As well as cows' milk I have the barista style oat milk for variety.

Also, the one type of food I can eat when very stressed is McDonals - plain cheese burger and fries and/or chicken nuggets, or the breakfasts, and a chocolate milkshake. For some reason it doesn't feel like food to me, so I can always get it down.

I know these suggestions are terrible health+wise, but for short periods of time it's whatever gets you through, sometimes.

You could also take vitamin tablets if you are able to swallow them.

Good luck - hope it all eases up soon.