Feeling sick whenever I have to go to restaurants

I got stripes · 11-08-2009, 04:43 AM

Hi, I know this seems pretty petty compared to a lot of threads on here but I thought I'd give it a shot and see if anyone can help.

Everytime I go to a restaurant I feel really really sick beforehand and whilst I'm there. I'm completely unable to eat anything there or for the morning before when I know I'm going to one. It started out just feeling a little sick but still being able to eat, now it's got to the stage where I throw up if I force myself to eat. I'm fine at home eating it's just if I go out for food. I will bring it up with my psychiatrist next time I see her I was just wondering if anyone else got this or could offer any advice about how to get over it.

Any responses much appreciated. Thanks.

ps. sorry if this is the wrong place or just plain stupid.

flippinterp · 11-08-2009, 05:50 AM

It could be anxiety related. What is it about restaurant eating that affects you so much? Eating in front of others? Not knowing exactly how the food was prepared? Not knowing the calorie content? Or something else entirely? Are some restaurants easier for you to handle than others (say, fast food vs sit-down, or burger joint vs salad bar)? I think talking to your psychiatrist is a great idea, and (s)he'll probably have some ideas to help you overcome it.

iliketea416 · 11-08-2009, 09:14 AM

Is it eating in front of others? I think discussing it with your psych is a very good idea :)

shadow-light · 11-08-2009, 10:41 AM

I can't eat in restaurants either, for me though it's a case that I can't eat anything unless I know EXACTLY what's in it and EXACTLY how it was prepared...

I think it is defantly something that you should bring up with your psych.

A lot of people have anxiety issues with eating in front of people though, so maybe it's ocnnected to something liek that?

I got stripes · 11-08-2009, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flippinterp

It could be anxiety related. What is it about restaurant eating that affects you so much? Eating in front of others? Not knowing exactly how the food was prepared? Not knowing the calorie content? Or something else entirely? Are some restaurants easier for you to handle than others (say, fast food vs sit-down, or burger joint vs salad bar)? I think talking to your psychiatrist is a great idea, and (s)he'll probably have some ideas to help you overcome it.

Thanks for the replies.

I don't know what it is about eating that bothers me, I don't think it's any of the things you mentioned, I think it could possibly be I'm worried about feeling sick and not being able to eat what I'm given and somehow that makes me feel sick. Actually now I think about it when I was younger my dad would get so angry with me not eating what he gave me, perhaps it's linked to that in some way, like I have to eat it and I worry I won't be able to.

Yeah burger joints were easier than proper restaurants but now it's got to the point where they both make me feel very sick now.

I'm not seeing my psychiatrist for a few weeks. Bother.

sobriquet · 12-08-2009, 12:43 AM

Maybe you could try a 'test'. Try going to a restaurant and thinking "I don't have to eat anything if I don't feel like it. If I do decide to order something, I can eat some or eat none or eat it all". Maybe if there's no pressure to eat what you're given the anxiety will lessen and you won't feel so sick.