Swallowing trouble due to anxiety

[spiderspiderman]

I suffer anxiety, my recent symptom is swallowing, well its not the actual swallowing. What happens is that I start to chew my food, and then all of a sudden my jaw seems to freeze, and so does my tounge, and then I start to panick, is this a symptom of anxiety? it's really affecting me, and getting me down.

Yes it certainly sounds like it. I sometimes have problems swallowing, it s stress related so I would talk to dr and get some relaxation techniques or perhaps even join a yoga class. I walk my dogs and it clears my head out, is something bothering you? Do you have a BF to talk too? We all have irrational fears or worries at times, you are not mad, just stressed my love.

Thanks coansha yes I am always stressed about something or another. I have a good life, so I don't really know why I am always stressing. I always talk to my husband, he is my best friend, he also reassures me and tries hard to help me to relax. I think it's because my daughter is going back to school, so i'm feeling a bit sad about that, but I will go to the dr soon.

I suffer with anxiety to , mainly health anx , i find swallowing another symptom of anxiety , you are not alone , theres another very good site called 'no more panic ' theres good helpful information mainly on anxiety , but i like MN to chat to as always someone who can help hope you feel better soon x

Thanks choclab I will check that site out, hope you are well.x

I woud try and learn the symptoms so you can recognise it before it goes from 3 - 100, glad you have your husband to talk too, that helps too.
I think after our invincible teens, we have our terrific twenties, then we are o busy being a mum, we don't sit down until our 40's and we begin to worry about life, our health, our aged parents , school choices........bloody endless list.
It's a tough balance of being sensible and keeping it real( I hate that word but cannot think of a better one) so deep breath, run a bath, read a book oh and have a glass of wine, I recommend the wolf blass, red label, Shiraz mix!
I might take a look at the website too , keep well x

coansho that is so true, it all makes sense.xxx

I've had this at times of extreme anxiety. At one point it got so I couldn't eat in front of people - I felt like an idiot. I read some books by Claire Weekes - one was called self help for your nerves - one thing she said that really helped was - don't concentrate on swallowing, concentrate on chewing. If you just concentrate on chewing and chewing and chewing, eventually your food will be very soft and eventually you will swallow it by reflex - you can't help but swallow. This really helped. It's like, the more you worry about not being able to swallow, the worse it gets, the more anxious you get, the more you tense up, the less able you are to swallow. Try it - it might help.

very true coansho ,

Great advice oneway - both my mum and me suffer from trouble swallowing when anxious and I'm going to try what you suggest .

But just realised ,problem extends to swallowing liquid .Feels like a lump or barrier in my throat .

Thanks oneway I will try that, good advice. I flippin hate anxiety.

Anyone with a lump in throat when swallowing and anxiety could do with being tested for overactive thyroid. Two classic symptoms.