I have an eating disorder. Can this be fixed? What exactly is my problem?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am here today to finally address my problem. I am an 18 year old male, who plays football and loves to play golf. I am here today to say, and I have an eating disorder. In this case, I am assuming it is an eating disorder or some type of phobia. But anyway, my problem is eating in public. I never had a problem with it when I was young, but it probably started when I was 13 years old. I cannot eat out if I go to a restaurant or a fast food place, I feel like throwing up instantly when I sit down with my food. I cannot eat at school and the worst one is when I receive the body of Christ, I almost jump out of my shoes to try and not to throw up. But luckily that never happened.

It is probably been about two years since I ate out of my house. I do not understand how it just happened. I mean like I was fine when I was younger, and now I have this problem. What should I do? My family does not really believe me when I tell them, they just say it is nerves. But since it has been two years, I think it is buried in my head. Now I have some questions. Can this be fixed? What exactly is my problem? Will I ever be able to eat at a restaurant or fast food place again? Can this be fixed without actually going to the doctor? You honestly do not know how much I would love to go sit down with my family at a restaurant and enjoy a meal. I need help and a confidence booster. I can eat perfectly fine at my own house and that is why I am confused. Please help me.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I think it is not an eating disorder because, in the case of an eating disorder, the problem should be everywhere including your home. However, your problem of eating in public could be because of social anxiety disorder or because of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). So, I would like to seek more clarification regarding the following points:

What are the exact problems when you eat outside?
Are there any anxiety features while eating in public?
Do the same problems occur when you speak in public or meetings?
Are you feeling nervous when you meet a higher authority or new people?
Are these thoughts repetitive in your mind and difficult to control?
To what extent do these problems bother you?
Is there any family history of any kind of psychiatric illnesses?

Now, I would like to answer your questions. Yes, this problem of yours can be fixed. Do not worry about that. This could be a social anxiety disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Yes, you will definitely be able to eat outside. You can revert with the answers to the above questions for me to arrive at the diagnosis so that we can decide if you have to meet the doctor in person. I can understand and feel your pain as well. There are pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments to solve your problem. Take care.