Social Anxiety, Anorexia and Light Sensitivity

Hi,

I'm Cat. This is my first post here.

I have been in recovery from anorexia (doing okay after many months of treatment) and have been diagnosed with social anxiety. I have had 16 weeks of CBT for that and it has helped.

Now that I am managing my anorexia and social anxiety, I am experiencing anxiety in that I close my eyes to block out light and dust from getting in.

My psychiatrist says that it is 'symptom shifting' and I think he's right.

I do think that it is anxiety and a 'control' thing (like anorexia) that I use to block out things that I fear could hurt me.

I just don't know what to do about it.

Has anyone else had this?

It's really causing me problems at work and in my social life.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

Sometimes I think people like us are so used to inner turmoil or perhaps some type of external trauma which create internal traumas, that when things are going well, as in your case, we almost seem to find a way to make things bother us again. I know that is true for me. I wouldn't pay too much attention to it, as that could be exactly what your subconscious wants - another negative thing to focus on.

What I would suggest is to take your new found confidence and stability, and use it to do things your subconscious mind might feel is too scary, risky etc. Once you are accomplishing things which once was a burden, you may at a conscious and subconscious level, find that you don't need something negative to fall back on as a safety net. I really hope this helps...

It sounds like your CBT is really helping you. And, i think that this is just a last ditch attempt for your negative thoughts to get back into your life and interfere. Your anxiety is panicking that you may not believe its lies anymore.

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

Hi Cat & Welcome!

Do you actually experience pain or discomfort from bright light and such?
In that case it could be hypersensibility to light too or photophobia. Check it out, learn about it..

It can be caused by a number of things, including magnesium deficiency or certain medical conditions or meds..
Photophobia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Are you on any meds or withdrawing from any? Or supplements?

Also, if you use the computer in a dark room (with no lights on) it can get worse..

Does it only happen when you're around really bright lights, or when light is shadowed or indirect too? (It's common sense and healthier for the eyes to avoid too bright lights, eg direct look at light bulbs or stage/theatre lights or the sun..)

If you don't really have light sensitivity, and it's just 'in your mind', it might be helpful to you to learn about how the eye is made..
That the liquid in the eye acts like 'cleanser' to clean away any dust specs or such.. And even if some dust falls in, tears can wash it away..

Are you eating properly or just 'on the road to recovery'?
You said you were 'managing anorexia' - that can mean a lot of things.. You can't really 'manage' it, you need to overcome it..
If you don't eat enough food and enough healthy nutrients, no amount of CBT or such can help..
(A relative of mine had anorexia, and a friend almost had it too..)
So I hope you are eating proper..

Thanks, everybody.

Feathers, I am managing my anorexia by following my meal plan that the nutritionist gave me plus taking the supplements prescribed.

Things are not 'perfect' with my recovery, but my mom and my nutritionist help me stay on track with the food.

I am on lexapro (20 mg) and have been for about a year.

When I was inpatient, I was on zyprexa (which was giving to most of us in the unit to help with 'ED voices').

I did take myself off the zyprexa in July.

I really didn't have any withdrawal problems.

I close my eyes not just due to bright lights but selectively when I am feeling anxious about light or dust getting in my eyes.

My psychiatrist, therapist, mom and me all think that it's an anxiety thing but I just don't know what to do about it.

Hi Cat

I wanted to say hello and tell you that I also suffer from both anorexia and social anxiety. I am having a very good patch with both problems at the moment. Not cured by any means but managing to have a bit of a life.

I do believe for myself at least that the eating problems and social anxiety are a case of managing it for the rest of your life. Im probably a lot older than you. Ive had patches of years where Ive thought it had gone or got a lot better then something has set it off again.

I think you are doing the right things, seeing a therapist. If you can work at the route cause of your problems then the symptoms should lessen.

CatMiller said:

Thanks, everybody.

Feathers, I am managing my anorexia by following my meal plan that the nutritionist gave me plus taking the supplements prescribed.

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That's good then. Which supplements are you taking?
I think I had some sensitivity to light after some supplements too..
You may also take too much of some and too little of other vitamins/minerals like magnesium.. Can especially happen if you take multivitamins..

Things are not 'perfect' with my recovery, but my mom and my nutritionist help me stay on track with the food.

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Yeah, no one's looking for perfection, it's good you're working on it though!!

I am on lexapro (20 mg) and have been for about a year.

When I was inpatient, I was on zyprexa (which was giving to most of us in the unit to help with 'ED voices').
I did take myself off the zyprexa in July.
I really didn't have any withdrawal problems.

I close my eyes not just due to bright lights but selectively when I am feeling anxious about light or dust getting in my eyes.

My psychiatrist, therapist, mom and me all think that it's an anxiety thing but I just don't know what to do about it.

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Okay, this site says photosensitivity could be a side effect of Lexapro: Lexapro Side Effects | Drugs.com or its withdrawal (?) Lexapro description. Lexapro withdrawal solutions, Lexapro patient information and Lexapro news. So, hm? You can research it further online, I just did a brief google..

Maybe something to talk to your psychiatrist and therapist about too? (maybe with a printout?) Do you still really need Lexapro? Could you reduce dosage or switch to other meds? (Ideally google anything they suggest for side-effects first too.. Don't rely on them knowing everything, some of their info might be outdated too..)

Here's a girl who also speaks of photophobia and Lexapro (not sure if they were connected, it's interesting to read though) Did your fear of light start with some specific event too? Photophobia and Anxiety - Anxiety - MedHelp