I fear that i can`t let people see me swallow?

Question

i avoid places where there are lots of people for fear they will see me swallow, i`ll go to a place where people are not presant and then swallow not that i really want to, the more i think about not swallowing the more i do it. it started at school when i was 15, i was in assembly, the headmaster annouced some pe clothes had been stolen from the pe room, i thought to myself i wonder if people thinks it me then i swallowed exactly the same time i thought it. and i was very aware of this, although i had`nt stolen the pe kit i could`nt get rid of that swallowing incident in assembly, i thought i better not let people see me swallow, its ruined my life because i don`t improve my self for fear i have to be with people ie: college, public transport, working in offices, i opt for cleaning jobs because i know i`ll be alone, please help me, i`m 42 now and can`t get rid of this. thank you.

Answer 1

I have experienced the same exact phobia in the past-however my
problem has been limited only to situations when I have felt
guilty or thought that I would be assumed guilty by others(though i have done nothing wrong at all!!!). this particular manifestation of fear is, "intimidation".

I think the only way to erraticate this fear is to confront it by forcing
yourself to "swallow" sproratically in crowded areas on a daily basis untill you are no longer self concious.

outside of God, or the use of psycotropic drugs- i thing this would be the only other alternative.

(I have never considered that other may have this same wierd phenomenon. good luck-I'll throw up a prayer for ya also.

Answer 2

i'd recommend seeing a therapist.