Is this just me who is absolutely terrified of eating infront of other people?

[MidnightRain]

I'm not sure how long it's been going on for, but I know it got to the point where I absolutely cannot eat in public a few months ago. I think it's because I'm afraid of what people will think about me, like, I'm fat and greedy, and I don't like people watching me eat. Like if I catch someone looking at me putting something in my mouth, I totally freak out, it just feels to me like eating should be something that is done in privacy, like it's intimate, almost. I know, really weird. But I want to be able to eat in public, so I can space my calories out during the day so I am less likely to binge later at night. What do you guys do about it? How do I get over it? I can't carry on like this forever.

[bigfatana0555]

I get nervous too, I don't like the idea of having other poeple know how much I eat/judge me about what I eat. ALso, I can't stand the sound of some people chewing, or clanking thier silver ware; it drives me crazy. I also am nevous to eat in front pof people bc I'm afaid they will hear me chewing and I am afraid of grossing them out. I always eat alone.

I think the only way to get over it is to do it! I know it sounds scary, but it might help.

[silver_viper]

I get nervous and anxious about it, but I don't really have a choice. I have to.

[MarieCharlotte]

I totally know what u mean and even tho i can still eat in public, i feel very very uncomfortable doing it.

But something that has helped me alot, is just to not make any eye contact with people, and just focus on what youre eating and look at something else.. alot of times i would be texting while im eating so that i have something to do and then it doesnt feel as bad

[loletaxeni]

I have totally weird mentality with eating in public. Generally I don't like it and I avoid it.

With one of my friends, I can do it what seems "normally" (not so normal inside my head of course, there's a war going on there obviously), not eating too fast or too slow. I can also stop eating whenever I want and I guess that's a reason why I can be a bit more relaxed about it.

At school it's very difficult and stressing for me to eat and so, for some reason, knowing I can't avoid it, I eat very fast just to get rid of the situation. I felt insanely horrible at one point when my friend pointed out "wow, you're greedy, you eat so fast!!" and I just wanted to die right there. All I had was some lettuce and tomato so I knew it was quite safe but come on!

With certain people or around certain places, certain situations, especially if I know I'm watched, I can't eat at all. It becomes impossible. I can't eat in front of my bf who's evaluating my every bite, staring at me. I feel so judged.

Of course I want to eat alone. That way I have full control over the food and the situation and nobody's putting any pressure on me in any way.

[elzie]

If I go to mcds....I honestly couldn't give a shit cos everyone in there is eating junk. I stay away from nicer dining places. It took me ages to eat infront of my bf.

I used to be 280lbs and in my eyes I'm STILL that weight, obv my mind knows I'm half that now but I still feel like people are staring at someone obese and vile.

Saying this, I think people without eds get this too, it's pretty common thank god!

[AnaCuppy]

I always have that awkward feeling when eating in front of others. Guess it's a self-conscious thing too. I've been with my boyfriend almost 3 years and it's still weird eating in front of him. I keep thinking in my head that everyone's gonna say I'm fat for whatever I'm eating..even if it's just a salad. And I kinda have a small fear of people watching me and I feel like everyone's eyes are on me while I'm eating so I always occupy myself with my Itouch and phone to avoid eye contact when anyone. I also noticed that when I walk past people, I hold my breath till they're gone.

[Bathory]

I feel exactly the same way. I used to feel it much worse, but I don't really eat in public anymore. I'll only eat in public if I'm extremely hungry and if I eat unprocessed food. If I eat only food I make for myself I'm more comfortable about it, but I will still get nervous about people watching me.

[nathrakh]

Im terribly affraid of eating around or near people, and i get very angry if people see me eat if im trying to sneakily eat something. I always turn my back to people when i have to eat something outside so they cant see my face and cant see im eating. I have been fat 20 years of my life and when ur fat people really give u the feeling, and looks like u shouldnt be eating and dont deserve to eat. I still have those feelings even tho im in good shape now.

[clockworkorange]

I absolutely HATE eating in front of other people. I mean, when I have to, I do just to get it over with. But no matter how hard I avoid to eat, there's always someone saying "eat something, try this, try that, aren't you hungry?"

NO. I'm not. Well, I probably am but I'm not going to eat anything..

I feel so awkward when I eat in front of people, like they're staring at me or something and thinking that I ate a lot or whatever it is that they think. I tend to not finish anything if I eat in front of people just because I can't do it anymore. It freaks me out and makes me feel weird and shit. Not sure how to explain it..

[barely_there]

it depends who it is for me. i can eat in front of people that i'm "comfortable" with, but that's it. that small list is comprised of my mom, dad, stepdad, sisters, and boyfriend. that's it. i don't eat in front of strangers, but i will if i'm with one of the above mentioned people (ex: in a restaurant with mom). i also have terrible social anxiety, so more often than not, i'm just eating at home anyways haha