Choking obsession

[NicoletteCB]

I’ve been having this problem for 6 months now and it’s been driving me crazy

 

I worry about swallowing my food incorrectly and choking then dying. I try to expose myself to my fear so before swallowing I agree to my thoughts and say “Yes I will choke” but when I actually swallow my food, if I have an intrusive thought as I swallow, I either jump, my eyes bulge out, or I start shaking.

It’s so incredibly embarrassing. My mom has even told me I eat “weirdly” because when I swallow I have thoughts as I’m swallowing I’m about to choke. I don’t know what to do or how to stop this. It’s embarrassing and I have such difficulties eating out or even at the dinner table with my family now.

[paradoxer]

As difficult as it is, try to not give OCD the dramatics it wants. Focus on enjoying time with your family. What's the point of not choking to death, if you're only going to jump to the tune of a life wasting disorder?