It is sometimes confused withpseudodysphagia(the fear of choking).
Fear of Foods
Phagophobia may surface in people who experience other food-related fears.
Persistent worrying about eating contaminated food may also lead to phagophobia.
Kittiphan Teerawattanakul / EyeEm / Getty Images
Those who fear swallowing may find themselves physically unable to do so once they become too anxious.
This, in turn, can worsen the fear, creating a perpetuating cycle that is difficult to break.
Phagophobia can also occur in the absence of any identifiable triggers.
However, specific phobias do respond to treatment, and several options have shown promise for treating phagophobia.
Since the throat muscles often constrict during bouts of anxiety, coping strategies generally focus on remaining calm.
Recap
Using self-help strategies can be useful when you are coping with a fear of swallowing.
Taking small bites, chewing thoroughly, eating soft foods, and drinking plenty of fluids can be helpful.
Relaxation techniques, taking small bites, and eating soft foods can also be helpful.
Talk to your healthcare provider about your treatment options.
Suraweera C, Hanwella R, de Silva V.Phagophobia: A case report.BMC Res Notes.
2014;12(6):550-552. doi:10.1370/afm.1693
