Pseudodysphagia, or the fear of choking, isn’t a common phobia, but it can be serious.
When people have this phobia, they are often so afraid of choking that it affects how they eat.
This can lead to an unbalanced diet, unintended weight loss, and malnutrition.
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One word of cautionthere are medical conditions that can make swallowing difficult.
In other words, don’t venture to diagnose yourself!
Those conditions require different treatments.
At a Glance
The fear of choking can make eating and drinking very difficult.
Some people may chew their food excessively, while others may only consume liquids.
This can contribute to malnutrition and dental problems.
Treatment is often necessary, and many involve the use of psychotherapy or medications to help manage symptoms.
What Is the Fear of Choking (Pseudodysphagia)?
Pseudo means ‘false’ while dysphagia refers to ‘problems swallowing.’
Pseudodysphagia is sometimes confused withphagophobia, or the fear of swallowing.
Although both conditions involve the act of swallowing, the difference is in the precise nature of the fear.
Those with phagophobia fear swallowing, while those with pseudodysphagia worry that swallowing might lead to choking.
Pseudodysphagia may also co-occur with a condition known asavoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).
This eating disorder leads to severe food aversions and food restrictions.
Some research has found that people with ARFID are often afraid of choking.
Some case reports suggest that symptoms can worsen when a person is under stress.
What Causes the Fear of Choking?
Like other phobias, pseudodysphagia may have a number of different causes.
It might start right away, but sometimes it might not emerge until much later.
The condition can affect anyone of any age, but some populations may be at a higher risk.
Older adults are more likely to experience difficulty swallowing, which may lead to fears of choking.
Past research has indicated that women have a somewhat higher risk of developing the condition.
For this and many other reasons, it’s very important to treat pseudodysphagia as soon as possible.
These fears often contribute to a more generalizedfear of dentists.
Common dental choking fears include choking on saliva, choking on dental instruments, and choking on gauze.
Some people are afraid that they will be unable to breathe or swallow while their mouths are numb.
Many people find that their fears worsen when the chair is tipped all the way back.
While dental procedures are never fun, honesty and open communication make the experience a bit easier for everyone.
Like other phobias, there are effective treatments that can improve functioning and relieve symptoms of pseudodysphagia.
Talk to a doctor to rule out any physical factors that might contribute to difficulty swallowing.
It can make eating and drinking challenging, which can take a toll on both physical and emotional health.
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