Topic: anxiety

Question: How do I overcome my fear of eating in public?

Answer (from Kaileen McMickle, MS, LPCLicensed Professional Counselor):
It's so brave of you to want to confront your fear! If you want to work with that fear, it might be helpful to try it at home first with someone you trust.  Because the nation is basically in lock down right now, it could be an opportunity to prepare this way.  Notice what you may be thinking when eating in front of someone.  You could even get a recording of a busy place and do some imaginal exposure--imagining an experience while sitting through the rise in anxiety.Once public places start opening back up, you can start small--maybe with gum or something that doesn't fill the mouth too much or create a loud noises.  If you do this repeatedly, it will tell your brain that eating food in public is not dangerous to you and nothing bad happens.  The more you practice doing this, the less scary it will become.  If you avoid it, it will teach your brain that it's a situation to fear.  It's not always possible to stick through it every time (just do the best you can at the moment) and keep trying.I don't know enough about your situation to comment on any other factors, but it's possible there are some social anxieties underpinning your fears.  Pretty common to feel super insecure with food if you fear judgment of others or ruminate on being ridiculed.If you have someone in your life that can just be with you while you practice this in public, that may be a way to keep yourself accountable and get some good support along the way!

Answer (from Sherry Katz, LCSWCouples and Family Therapist, LCSW):
Are you able to eat any food in public?Start with what is easy.If you're able to eat your own selection of particular foods in public and see the results of whatever you are fearful may happen from eating in public, then gradually this becomes your motivation to add more categories of food.Also, notice whether you have different reactions depending on the setting in which you are eating a particular food.It is possible you'll see a pattern of your preferences for certain eating environments.   Maybe you'll notice you like loud restaurants and maybe you'll notice you don't like loud restaurants.The more you satisfy your particular needs for your own comfort in eating in a public place, the more likely you'll have success in overcoming your fear!