Eating Out Paranoid

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7 posts
Kimvoen123
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2019 3:11 am
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by Kimvoen123 on Sat Feb 02, 2019 3:16 am

Eating Out Paranoid

Hello All!

So I have been diagnosed with a food allergy that's pretty bad. I have a lot of social engagements that I must attend and have noticed that my worry about the allergy has really caused me anxiety. For instance, if anyone at the table has the food that I'm allergic to, I immediately want to leave :shock: . I cannot do this because a lot of times, it's in a business setting.

Am I being overly concerned here? Or how do you manage the fear of the food? :P

Thanks in advance!

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talkhealth
Posts: 1782
Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2010 3:29 pm
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by talkhealth on Tue Feb 05, 2019 3:11 pm

Re: Eating Out Paranoid

Hi Kimvoen123

Thank you for your post. Do have a read of Tracy's blog here, https://bit.ly/2MMdhdq, specifically about food allergies, we hope you find it useful.

Kind regards
talkhealth
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Jenb2611
Posts: 14
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2019 12:36 pm
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by Jenb2611 on Tue Feb 12, 2019 1:11 pm

Re: Eating Out Paranoid

I totally understand- it feels like a mine field once you know how much you should avoid and realise your life’s in someone’s hands. I will be honest and say that for a while I curbed my socialising- especially after taking ill despite giving clear instructions to the waiting staff they still served me contaminated food in one restaurant. It makes you nervous. I decided I was going to have a life though, I stick to a small number of safe places, if going somewhere new - like a chain, I check in advance. Places like frankie & Bennies have an app. If a place can’t provide an accurate list, I don’t eat. If I have to be at an event and can’t guarantee safety I take my own food or eat beforehand. I always have an exit plan - someone who knows if I leave the table with my medibag then I’m in trouble. I check distance to the nearest a&e even when booking holidays. I let those around me know I have allergies- so they know it’s not me being fussy. I have notified my employer and my staff team so everyone knows if and why I’m unwell. Your employer has to make reasonable adjustments under the Disability/Equality Act. It’s worth getting yourself a medi bracelet and keeping an info card on your person. I do have a good social life now I feel in control of the outcome and I feel I can kind of manage the risks. I’m still waiting on clarity though.

Good luck!

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talkhealth
Posts: 1782
Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2010 3:29 pm
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by talkhealth on Tue Feb 12, 2019 1:52 pm

Re: Eating Out Paranoid

Hi Jenb2611

Thank you for your very helpful reply to Kimvoen123.

Kind regards
talkhealth
talkhealth
Visit our events page https://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/events

FranklinB
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2019 10:55 am
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by FranklinB on Fri Feb 15, 2019 2:34 pm

Re: Eating Out Paranoid

Jenb2611 wrote:
Tue Feb 12, 2019 1:11 pm
I test link totally understand- it feels like a mine field once you know how much you should avoid and realise your life’s in someone’s hands. I will be honest and say that for a while I curbed my socialising- especially after taking ill despite giving clear instructions to the waiting staff they still served me contaminated food in one restaurant. It makes you nervous. I decided I was going to have a life though, I stick to a small number of safe places, if going somewhere new - like a chain, I check in advance. Places like frankie & Bennies have an app. If a place can’t provide an accurate list, I don’t eat. If I have to be at an event and can’t guarantee safety I take my own food or eat beforehand. I always have an exit plan - someone who knows if I leave the table with my medibag then I’m in trouble. I check distance to the nearest a&e even when booking holidays. I let those around me know I have allergies- so they know it’s not me being fussy. I have notified my employer and my staff team so everyone knows if and why I’m unwell. Your employer has to make reasonable adjustments under the Disability/Equality Act. It’s worth getting yourself a medi bracelet and keeping an info card on your person. I do have a good social life now I feel in control of the outcome and I feel I can kind of manage the risks. I’m still waiting on clarity though.

Good luck!
I can definitely relate. Every time I'm eating at a place I've never eaten at before, I get all kinds of scenarios going through my head. But it gets a bit better with time. At least that was the case with me. It's no longer debilitating, let's just say that.
Last edited by FranklinB on Mon Sep 11, 2023 3:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.

FranklinB
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2019 10:55 am
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by FranklinB on Fri Feb 15, 2019 2:48 pm

Re: Eating Out Paranoid

I can definitely relate. Every time I'm eating at a place I've never eaten at before, I get all kinds of scenarios going through my head. But it gets a bit better with time. At least that was the case with me. It's no longer debilitating, let's just say that.

varunranait
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2019 6:34 am
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by varunranait on Fri Mar 01, 2019 11:13 am

Re: Eating Out Paranoid

Hi

I completely agree that it's form of food allergy, in mid-twenties I too suffered food poisoning. I was diagnosed of anxiety which was a result of eating disorders so I went for a therapy which taught relaxation and many other safety precautions before you start to eat.

Thanks & Regards
varunranait

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