I have a fear of swallowing loudly when its quiet or in front of people. Maybe I care about what other people think. But the squishy sound my swallow makes get me really anxious, because I think people are thinking that im guilty or not confident. I cant get over this. Im getting really obsessive about. When I dont think about it for awhile, I wonder why Im not. Its like a never ending circle. Swallowing causes me anxiety, and anxiety causes me to swallow nervously. It just goes around and around. I even find myself swallowing by myself, to see if the sound is there. But I know when im not conscious of my swallowing, I dont make a noise. The worst is when I started swallowing loudly, is when others start because of me. I know nobody cares when I swallow, but i hate it. I just wish this would go away. Because Its really killing my confidence. I dont really want to go on to medication. I want to get through this on my own, but I dont know how.  This is really hard on me, bringing me great depression. This started when I was 18, always on the way to and from church. I started fearly swallowing beside my sister, because it seemed like she always was trying to get me into trouble. I guess I was feeling guilty because I wasnt following my religion the way I should. But now its full blown, I obsess about it everywhere. Has anyone else experience this? Ive been dealing with this for two years. From 18 to 20. It's hard on me because Ive spread this swallowing habit to my family as well because they sense how embarrased I am to swallow. My throat just tightens up, Im always worrying about the squishy sound my swallow might make. Any tips or advice to overcome this???? Please. Thanks

any suggestions, please help!!

Nobody can hear you swallow!
Quit worrying about it.

[quote]Nobody can hear you swallow!
Quit worrying about it.[/quote]
Wow. What an incredibly ignorant and uncompassionate reply. It makes me wonder why someone would even bother posting something so rude to a forum such as this.

Mark123 - I can't entirely relate to what you're experiencing, but I have had problems with swallowing due to anxiety/panic. I guess the only advice I can give you is to seek out help in whatever form you feel is necessary to be healthy. If that means that you take meds for a while in conjunction with therapy to get back on track, then there's no shame in that. The most important thing is that you talk to someone about it, detail out exactly what is happening to you so that they understand in no uncertain terms, and then demand help. You deserve a life free of anxiety.

Hey i have the same habbit as that, ive hade it sence about 2005, i cant stop swalowing

Here is an article for you about your swallowing problem. Try to be steady and confident. Find out your own way;
Here is the link below:

[url=http://www.ndri.com/article/fear_of_swallowing_cause_and_suggestion-414.html]Swallowing problem[/url]

i have that habit too!!!! swallowing's killing me already.

it started december 2006, and i have it until now. almost a year.

i went to three or four eents, they said it's acid from my stomach that goes up to my throat. i took medication, but until now, the problem is there.

i feel depressed. i always think of swallowing and the sound i'll make. and how people would react. because usually, when i swallow, people notice and swallow too. hell, even if i don't swallow, people in school would usually swallow/ cough whenever they see me or whenever i'm around. maybe they have kept in mind i always swallow. some of my classmates have already acquired the habit; it's become contagious, really. but i never wanted to infect people with this whole swallowing thing, God knows.

i'm trying my best not to swallow in public. but it gets stucked up on my throat that i have no choice but to swallow. i can't relax anymore. everyday when i leave the house and go to school, it's like a new challenge for me. i really need help. i'm losing hope. it has taken over my life.

Hi Mark, I have seen messages of yours on different websites describing ur problems with swallowing at Church when you were with your sister. I can 100% understand everything you are describing. I started having the problem when I was about 17 and 3 months and I am now nearly 19. It just seems to have got progressively worse and affects almost everything I do like for instance I dread having meals with people in quiet rooms as I fear they can hear me swallow or, for instance, when I used to sit in assembly at School it used to be really bad. It all started when I started my A level studying, which I found very stressful leading to this problem. Its even got so bad that I avoid drinking and eating around people, I like to be by myself instead. Its the first thing I think about in the morning and it's driving me insane because to people who don't suffer from this problem it seems so petty and strange but its honestly like living hell. I have tried so hard to just get on with the problem because I'm not a particulary shy person really and I do like to socialise even though this problem does make things that I used to enjoy unenjoyable, like watching TV with my parents or going for a coffee with my mate. I have tried hynotherapy, which really does not work and am tempted to get more help but I don't think I could ever resort to using drugs even though the problem makes me feel very unhappy at times and I think to myself, its almost like your brain needs something to focus on so it has chosen this and if I didn't have this swallowing problem then I'd be focussing on another problem, if that makes sense. But it makes me really sad because I cannot possibly see myself ever having a relationship with anybody with this problem hence why I haven't had a boyfriend since I was sixteen. I'm so pleased I can share how I feel with you though and it would be great if I could get your email address and we could chat about the problem and give tips etc. because we seem to have alot in common! Please please reply soon Mark or anyone who can understand and help as it would be appreciated so much! x x x :)

(if this fear is still going on with you)

i want to be completely honest with you mark...

the current situation you are in is completely un-nessasary.
You are allowing the devil to come into your mind and control this fear inside of you. That might have sounded strange but please dont let it stop you from reading the rest of my post.  (farther down i have written my own kinda story similar kinda to yours i guess)

Ok, I am a christian. And there is God and devil.
What is going on with you is that satan (aka the devil) has a foothold in your life and it is the 'fear of swallowing' which is totally distracting you from what God truly has for you. God loves you soo so much and wants the best for you, yet you are depressed and worried all the time about this matter. Prayer. And faith. And not letting satan have any power in your life.

Heres my story::
i used to have this obsession with my joints. and i would continually have to move them and situate them.  it would constantly annoy me, i dont even know why but it would distract me and irritate me so much and when i was around people i had to refrain from doing it or i felt like an idiot just rolling my shoulder, or slowly flezing my leg backwards inorder to feel better.      But heres the thing, Once God came into my life the worry of it vanished. Because HE was my all in all. HE is my hope and joy! Instead of focusing on what other people thought or how I felt, I began to focus on what Jesus had for me and that was a purpose and plan for my life to prosper. (Jeremiah 29:11)
now i wake up every morning with a smile -sure life still has its problems, but surrendering my life to God totally revolutionized my life! And the only way to this peace is through Jesus Christ. Is is the healer and provider.  You are healed to the extent that you believe.  Mark, you need to stop doubting and pittying, and rise up to be the man God had called you to be! Dont miss it b/c of a paranoia that consumes you daily!


If you are interested anymore of what I am trying to get across to you just let me know!
I'd love to share with you more of the  awesomeness of Christ Jesus my Lord and Savior!!

hey yeah, i wonder if ther is a medication 2 stop habbits