Brief Answer:
More details regarding your condition needed.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I read your query and can understand your concerns regarding undernourishment. You have mentioned about anxiety. But to help you better, I would need to know more details regarding your condition.

Some of the details needed would be:

- Duration of anxiety?
- Is your anxiety related to only eating or includes anything else?
- Are you on any treatment for anxiety?
- Have you lost weight? What is your current weight and height?

Anxiety can lead to decreased appetite which can cause weight loss. But, it is also possible that when one is anxious, he/ she unduly worries about such matters. The best way out is objective measurement of weight and height.

In any case, if you feel you are having anxiety and problems related to that, you need to have detailed assessment for characterization of the type of anxiety and management accordingly.

Anxiety disorders can be effectively managed with medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. In addition, you can also opt for cognitive behaviour therapy which will consist of regular sessions focusing on learning relaxation and changing he pattern of thinking which causes anxiety. You will need to consult a psychiatrist for the same.

Hope I was able to answer your query. In case of any follow up query, please feel free to ask.

Best wishes,

Dr. Sunil Gupta

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Brief Answer:
Try relaxing and distracting yourself.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for following up. I can understand that anxiety can be very troublesome. More so, any adverse event leads to worsening or exacerbation of anxiety. In your case, it is definitely the anxiety that is leading to your being excessively preoccupied and concerned regarding choking.

I do understand when you say that you are not able to eat anything except taking liquid diet and as a result concerned that about your health. My suggestion would be that you seek a psychiatric consultation without any further delay (you have already waited for years).

Till the time you do that, you can try relaxing yourself. You can gradually start adding food into your diet. Since, you would be feeling more anxious with solid food, you can start with semi-solid foods like porridge, etc. Take vvery small quantity at a time. Try to de-focus yourself from the thought that you will choke or that your health will be affected adversely. The more you think about it, more anxiety will result. Just try to get busy with your daily chores. In addition, try deep breathing regularly. You can do that for 1-2 minutes at frequent intervals in a day.

I do hope the above information helps you. Wish you a speedy recovery. In case of any follow up query, please don't hesitate to ask. If you don't have any, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.

Best wishes,

Dr. Sunil Gupta

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