Venting Fear of eating in public

[SkyBlue]

That's not it either, but end of discussion now lol.

Holy shit, ok lol. My general belief is yet that some form of psychotherapy should be capable of helping with things of that kind.

 

[Taylor]

Holy shit, ok lol. My general belief is yet that some form of psychotherapy should be capable of helping with things of that kind.

Lol sorry I just reaally don't want it destroying others' lives, the way it did mine. I considered all sorts of therapy and it's just useless to me, I'd need a neuroscientist to erase the memory of it from my mind to feel like myself again. Besides even if that were possible though, I'm in so much chronic pain from head to toe, I just want to rest now and be done with it all.

 

[FTL.Wanderer]

Have you ever been worried about eating in public?

I have always had this fear of eating in front of anyone. Mostly I eat alone even though I live with my family. I get extremely nervous about ordering food and I just can't feel okay about eating in front of anyone. I also barely leave my house and if by any chance I HAVE go grocery shopping then It is a living nightnare for me.

I also have issue about eating in front of others. And I feel weirdly guilty when I order food out or pick up an order or go grocery shopping. Luckily, my grocery is open 24X7 and has digital self-check-out. I shop usually around 3AM.

 

[Mich517]

Have you ever been worried about eating in public?

I have always had this fear of eating in front of anyone. Mostly I eat alone even though I live with my family. I get extremely nervous about ordering food and I just can't feel okay about eating in front of anyone. I also barely leave my house and if by any chance I HAVE go grocery shopping then It is a living nightnare for me.

I didn't like to eating among other people cause I used to have eating as association with human biology, it was always so physical for me and I considered it of sort taboo.

 

[Exile]

I don't mind eating around others. I don't like noisy people eating around me - especially behind me.

I've spoken to people with ED's that share your anxiety, though you don't mention having an ED. I don't have an ED either, but I share your anxiety. Though for me it's not just eating, it's doing anything at all. I am always, 100% of the time worried about what others think of me.

You did mention eating less than 500 calories per day - that is not ideal.

 

[_habs1999]

What up, habs. Welcome back. I didn't say I think eating fries is not normal. I don't. In another thread I spoke on my views on the subject. Long story short - I don't consider any foods unhealthy unless they are actually poisonous like death cap mushroom or rotten meat. As long as you manage your weight it's ok to eat fries every day, that's how I see it. And even if you don't manage your weight, I don't believe it's 'wrong' or 'not normal' thing to do. Even though in my opinion you're doing disservice to your health - it's your life and your priorities, and I respect it as such without any judgement.

Still some people feel radically different. To them fries are unhealthy by definition. So eating them is wrong under any circumstances. And if you do eat them - they will microscopically judge you. Then there are many intermediate stances between my stance and such a religious approach. Like here you're saying it's ok but only 'once in a while', 'in moderation', 'at dinner with your loved ones' etc. Such stances still leave room for some judgement, especially given many are hypocrites and will judge you much faster than they will judge themselves.

Basically what I'm saying - people judging you for your dietary choices is not something entirely out there. And where there is judgement there may well be a sentence. So it's not like you're panicking for no reason whatsoever due to your irrational brain. Your brain tells you - judgement is possible. And it is actually possible. Even if your brain overinflates the possibility. And then you panic, which is the problem. So your disorder is strictly panic, the way I see it.

it sounds like you might be overstating the amount of random people who would pass judgment on my dietary choices because of the value that they've attached to certain foods. when i'm out in public, i never look at someone's plate and think about what others put into their bodies for more than 5 seconds. it's hard to believe that others would do so for me. and yes, i think it is irrational not only to adjust my habits around this possibility, but to even think it's something that's happening in the first place...but that's just my opinion

 

[Psilo]

Have you ever been worried about eating in public?

I'm literally worried about the public.

Yes I am in fact I don't even eat with my family, I'm always alone, just want my peace.

 

[Fallen bad23]

I'm literally worried about the public.

Yes I am in fact I don't even eat with my family, I'm always alone, just want my peace.

Same here :(

 

[Rollo]

it sounds like you might be overstating the amount of random people who would pass judgment on my dietary choices because of the value that they've attached to certain foods. when i'm out in public, i never look at someone's plate and think about what others put into their bodies for more than 5 seconds. it's hard to believe that others would do so for me. and yes, i think it is irrational not only to adjust my habits around this possibility, but to even think it's something that's happening in the first place...but that's just my opinion

But I didn't state any amount. Sure they may not be the majority, but they are still out there. So it's not like you're worrying about people judging you for your hair being black or blonde - now that would be irrational, no one does this. But some do judge and shame others for their "unhealthy" dietary choices - that's a hard fact. So it's either you're ready for such a judgement and you're ready to handle it - then no problem. But if you're not ready, if you panic at the very thought, then trying to convince yourself that it's irrational and won't happen - it won't do much. Cause deep down your rational side knows it might actually happen even if it's unlikely.

And just as a thought experiment - what if you actually do buy "unhealthy" food in front of an actual health nut? Then do you believe your shame and panic in such a case won't be a problem? So it's your emotional response to the thought of others judging you that is the problem, not the thought itself.

 

[Jc40]

I have this fear but it used to be worse. I'd rather not be facing strangers that helps. I'm more relaxed if a place is quiet. Sometimes it happens that I'm starving but fear people are watching so I won't eat. I have got better though.

 

[mel_laree]

Me too! I always refuse when people offer me food even if I'm starving. Ordering food is a nightmare and I hate going out to eat unless the place is empty. I panic so bad on dates where they take me out for food, I hardly eat because I feel like they're going to think I'm absolutely disgusting.

 

[TAW122]

As far as eating in public, not really, unless I was sitting with people in an important setting, like a business meeting or something. However, most of the time I eat alone and sit alone so I don't get that anxiety.