Any advice on phobia of choking?
914351
chew your food well and dont think about choking or tell yourself you wont choke. its impossible to choke if you chew food well and/or take small bites\ndont stop eating because that can cause really big problems\nif your really worried about choking eat foods that are impossible to choke on like mashed potatoes and theres lots of others too. baby food too. and protein shakes
158255
Go ahead and throw up...\nThen you won't fear it any more...
167142
Seeing a therapist would be the best way.  They will most likely use one of 2 techniques either slowly introducing what you are scared of in increasing steps. For example go in a room where u feel a bit uncomfortable, breath, relax do that for a while then go on to more claustrophobic settings.  Another method, which isn't for every one, is to enter into an extremely claustrophobic setting until you realize and internalize that you are in no real danger.
878949
Hi there,\nMy name is Alison, 21 (22 this Thursday) and have been suffering with Panic disorder/agoraphobia/health anxiety/OCD for four years and have had my fair share of panic attacks!\n\nYou've probably heard about the paper bag technique, breathing in and out slowly until the attack has subsided, I find breathing into my hands as useful too. The idea behind this is that  when you panic you overbreatheas you take in way too much oxygen and your carbon dioxide levels decrease rapidly, casuing you to feel faint, dizzy, insane etc. The idea is to regualte the your oxygen and carbon dioxide levels agin.\n\nWhen you breath into your paper bag it is important that you breath out slowly, so that your carbon dioxide levels increase. Breathe evenly and try not to hyperventilate too much.\n\nThe way you think can make your panic attack worse too. My therapist gave me some information that says that it only takes three minutes for your body to recover from the effects of panic, but when we think wrongly and catastrophise the cycle of panic is allowed to continue needlessley.\n\nDr Claire Weeks advises in her book 'Essential help for your nerves' that overcome you panic attacks and anxiety you have to accept you symptoms and don't add any secondary fear. By that I mean, when your attack first strikes, (primary fear) don't keep adding the classic 'not again!', 'what if' and 'i'm going to die'  thoughts, (secondary fear) and instead think, 'Ok this is a panic attack, i'm going to take control and allow this to pass.' Actually let your body do it's worse to you, don't tense up and think the worst, just tell yourself that the moment will pass.\n\nAccording to Weekes the key to overcomming anxiety is acceptance.\nShe advocates a four step programme to overcomming panic:\n\n1.FACING: When faced with a situation you feel uncomfortable with don't run away, stick with it!\n\n2.ACCEPT: Accept that you feel panicky, by telling yourself you don't want to feel this you makes yourself more tense. Accept all of your symptoms, let your panic 'do it's worse'.\n\n3.FLOAT: Rise above the situation. No matter how bad it gets, tell youself that your going to get through this. Carry on with what you are doing.\n\n4.LET TIME PASS: Of course you want your panic attack to go away immediately, but you can't rush it. If it takes a couple of hours for calm to return again, then that's the way it has to be. Just tell yourself you are going to gain control and get better. \n\nThis technique does take practice, but it does work. I was terrified of choking and so ate alone, since beginning thearpy, and using this technique, I've begun to eat downstairs again. Even when I feel panicky and tight chested, I never run away, I take my time to eat my meal and allow panic to be overcome by confidence.\n\nI've gone on for too long I hope it helps. The Claire Weeke's book is brilliant. Maybe you should get a copy.
924704
I am in absolutely no danger of coming down with that phobia! (Unfortunately.)\n\nWe always check the kids halloween candies very carefully before allowing the kids to get into them. We throw out everything that doesn't have an intact wrapper. And all wrappers are checked for air leaks by squeezing. If the wrapper puffs up like a squeezed balloon when squeezed, it means it's still air tight. If it's not it goes in the garbage. You can't poison candy without first gaining access to it.
538354
If it's really bad, you could talk to your doctor and he could give you something to take the edge off. I'm not really sure how I do it. I just take a long deep breath, and just do it, like pretending that I'm not afraid at all. After a while, I don't have to pretend anymore.
272341
Honestly there is no easy fix for this. You just have to put yourself in a situation where you have to talk. If you are really that uncomfortable with it and you are in school consider taking the dreaded speech class. It will force you to get up and talk in front of people. The best way to get over a fear like this is to tackle it. Hope that this helps and I wish you luck!
73393
It depends on what level you are talking about learning to breath.\nFor a first-time swimmer, doing bobs (submerging the face and blowing bubbles, then coming up for air, repeatedly) helps. This reinforces the practice of blowing out your breath underwater and not holding your breath.\nFor beginners, being comfortable in the water. Might sound simplistic but a fear of the water (even a slight apprehension) makes breathing difficult.\nIf you are talking about the front crawl (freestyle), the one hand stroke drill helps to emphasize correct body positioning while breathing and practices breathing on both sides.
301974
Haha, I have the same problem. Try to keep your breathing steady and don't gulp for air. I find this reduces my belching tendencies. For front crawl, breathe out as you are underwater and breathe in (through your nose). Hope this helps!
401626
I do not know how severe your phobias are, but in some instances there are no easy home cures. My son had a form of social phobia that manifested itself as selective mutism, he would not talk in school or in places where he did not know everybody there very well. \n\nThough I think that he is still uncomfortable in social settings, we helped him make tremendous strides with his anxiety get past his selective mutism by seeing a psychologist in combination with taking the anti-depressant prozac.\n\nGood luck in your quest for inner peace and comfort
158044
Learn to breathe from your diaphram (gut)   Relax your throat and let the sound resonate throughout your chest. If your throat hurts after being loud you are tightening your throat.\n\nStop being afraid of your own voice.  If they can't hear you, you are not shouting.
741172
There is nothing weird about being afraid of anything in particular, and no matter what you might be afraid of, its unlikely that you are the only person.\n\nI've just googoed 'phobia belly button' and found out that your fear is named omphalophobia, and that it is apparently 'very rare' - biut not so rare that it dfoesant have a name!\n\nI'm sure you can find out more if you google omphalophobia......\n\nhttp://encycl.opentopia.com/term/Omphalophobia
1158642
OPTION 1. " Buying some time" If All else fails scream... pass out and get the doc to tell them that you have a phobia about spiders and then whilst they rescedule your exam...\n\nOPTION 2.  PANIC\n\nOPTION 3. REVISE.... DONT PANIC!   & PRAY\n good luck
446445
Practice, seriously all my girls have had to overcome this obstacle and the best method is practice. Try small items that will not be to difficult to pull out, you don't want to choke yourself. Increase the size and duration of holding it in your throat. If you are going to lube it, whatever it is that you are putting in your throat, try to use a very and I mean very light coating of corn syrup. It doesn't taste bad and increases slickness. Good luck.
490569
I feel sorry for your anxiety caused by your phobia and for the other people writing about their phobias in your answer column. I to have suffered with many different phobias; as a child it was injections (both dentists and doctors), and Dogs; now it is the feeling of fear itself that I fear. (Because of years of panic attacks)\n\nI can tell you what helps, if you need to take an oral pill (tranquilizer) if you are really bad (one every night before going to bed for a short time) or (half an hour before you need to go to the doctor for an appointment involving an injection). \n*However this will not teach you too become brave or help you cope with your underlining fear which has become a phobia. \n\nI suggest you learn to relax through different sources.\n\nFirstly you can do positive self talk as your fear comes from negative thoughts causing you to have a chemical release in the brain which in turn causes the physical sensations of heart racing, sweating, feelings of faintness, fear, anxiety, nausea, light headedness, numbness, and so on…..oh yeah feelings of unreality is another one.\n\nNext learn relaxation or meditation either through physical participation in yoga classes or by listening to these sorts of cd, tape, or videos. There are hypnotic and relaxation available through JB Hi Fi stores designed to relax and strengthen your subconscious.  Cost $22 on average per item.\n\nYou can see a professional hypnotist or a physiatrist who will help you work you through your fear in a safe non threatening environment.  However this option is the most expensive and time consuming because it takes many sessions and time to feel you can trust or open up fully to another person.\n\n\n\n*If you use drugs as a crutch you can become addicted and that would start a whole new problem. \nP.S. the side affects of many tranquilizer drugs are feelings of anxiety and panic which you don’t want anyway.\n\n*The body is affected the same with legal and illicit drugs (downers or relaxants) like tranquillizers, sleeping pills or (marijuana, heroin, and alcohol) \n*Stimulants which are (speed, & cocaine) (cigarettes = nicotine), (tea & coffee =caffeine), and (ice & ecstasy which is often a combination of both stimulants and relaxants). \n*Cigarettes, Alcohol, and Marijuana are most accepted by the general public however they cause the most disease related deaths. Through internal organ diseases, like *Cancers and Blood clots (causing amputations, strokes and heart attacks) \n*Lung diseases from asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and cancer.  \n*Liver diseases from damage trying to alienate the body of toxic poisons and chemicals associated with medications and alcohol over years. \n*Hepatitis, sclerosis, and cancers of the liver.  \n*Marijuana has a chemical THC which our body has receptor in our brain and we also store for long periods in our blood and fat cells; (up to one month each time you smoke just one joint). Regular bong smokers and users will cause many different chronic health problems including lung disease (as the same toxic chemicals are in tobacco and marijuana excepting nicotine which is a stimulant) mental health suffers with paranoia, anxiety, fear, loss of memory, loss of appetite or increased appetite for sweets, loss of motivation, poor health, poor sleeping patterns and a dependency to use marijuana to get to sleep. Personal hygiene problems like sweating, bad breath and rotting teeth and the best for last you only feel mellow for a short time the rest of the time you are short tempered and unbearable to be around.\n*All drugs both legal and illicit have one thing in common the same side affects which is anxiety and withdrawal symptoms.
992920
Well, the only way to deep throat is to hold your breath. The way I got over it,and a lot of other guys and girls, was for the guy to be gentle and slowly work his dick down your throat. When I felt like I was going to gag, i would tap his leg or something telling him to pull out. This takes time, so you have to be patient. But, it's all worth it in the end. Once you beat your gag reflex, you can take just about any size dick down your throat. The biggest I've had was 9". That was 3 years ago. I'm discreetly looking for some guys who'll let me suck them off so I don't ruin my reputation with girls.\nAnyone interested??
397469
I WAS GONNA SAY THE SAME THING AS SGT SAID....BUT I WOULDNT RECOMMEND DOIN THAT... BECAUSE THATS SIMPLY RETARDED.. WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE A SUCH THING? EVER HEARD OF TE CHOKING GAME?? THATS CRAZI, ITS LIKE A HIGH U GET WHENEVER U PRESS THE BAK OF YOUR NECK AND U CAN die... DO NOT DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!