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Hi, I Have Phagophobia/ Swallowing Phobia. I Was Choking On
Question: Hi, I have Phagophobia/ swallowing phobia. I was choking on a piece of food a year ago and luckily able to get it out, but I still haven't been able to properly eat after the incident. Could you please help me.
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns about phagpphobia.
Before I proceed, you are requested to detailed out the problems encountered by you. It is important because without details it will not be possible to help you in proper manner.
Please include all details about the symptoms, how it affected you, how long it causing impairment, onset, progression, efforts made to settle it down so far among others.
I look forward to assist you.
Thanks again.
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns about phagpphobia.
Before I proceed, you are requested to detailed out the problems encountered by you. It is important because without details it will not be possible to help you in proper manner.
Please include all details about the symptoms, how it affected you, how long it causing impairment, onset, progression, efforts made to settle it down so far among others.
I look forward to assist you.
Thanks again.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Hi Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Yes of course,
The first time I felt something stuck in my throat was about five to four years ago and I went to the hospital to get some checkups, but they couldn't find anything wrong. A few days later my swallowing was back to normal, but I think I was always cautious about eating anything afterward. Then two years ago I went back to the hospital because I thought I had something stuck in my throat again, but after seeing a doctor they said that they couldn't find anything wrong with my throat. After I saw the doctor, I stop alcohol for a bit and also smoking and workout every day. I also watched movies while I was eating. After a few days, swallowing food became easier again. Then last year I was having dinner with a friend and he started to properly choke on his food and couldn't breathe. Luckily someone was there to help him out, but after that incident, I felt very cautious about eating, and I constantly repeated the images of him choking in my head. I would normally have those bad thoughts of him choking while I was eating. After a month after my friend had choked on the food, I had my first panic attack while eating some nuts in my hotel room. Since then I have only had a liquid diet for three months until we saw five different doctors. We did a barium swallow test, endoscopy, and many more to check if I had any problems with my throat. However, in the end, the doctor said that it is likely all in my head. I don't have a full liquid diet now, but I only eat food that I have made which is normally soft and easy to chew. I've become a vegetarian and avoided seeing my friends because I don't want to have any meals with them, I don't eat anything that someone else has cooked. I have seen tapping therapy about three months ago but it didn't really help my situation. I have also avoided drinking alcohol and smoking now. I also meditate almost every day, yoga twice a week, and run every other day. I also try to eat as healthy as possible and take multivitamins, vitamin C, and a high dosage of fish oil.
Hope this makes sense. Let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you again for helping me out.
Best,
Jakob
Yes of course,
The first time I felt something stuck in my throat was about five to four years ago and I went to the hospital to get some checkups, but they couldn't find anything wrong. A few days later my swallowing was back to normal, but I think I was always cautious about eating anything afterward. Then two years ago I went back to the hospital because I thought I had something stuck in my throat again, but after seeing a doctor they said that they couldn't find anything wrong with my throat. After I saw the doctor, I stop alcohol for a bit and also smoking and workout every day. I also watched movies while I was eating. After a few days, swallowing food became easier again. Then last year I was having dinner with a friend and he started to properly choke on his food and couldn't breathe. Luckily someone was there to help him out, but after that incident, I felt very cautious about eating, and I constantly repeated the images of him choking in my head. I would normally have those bad thoughts of him choking while I was eating. After a month after my friend had choked on the food, I had my first panic attack while eating some nuts in my hotel room. Since then I have only had a liquid diet for three months until we saw five different doctors. We did a barium swallow test, endoscopy, and many more to check if I had any problems with my throat. However, in the end, the doctor said that it is likely all in my head. I don't have a full liquid diet now, but I only eat food that I have made which is normally soft and easy to chew. I've become a vegetarian and avoided seeing my friends because I don't want to have any meals with them, I don't eat anything that someone else has cooked. I have seen tapping therapy about three months ago but it didn't really help my situation. I have also avoided drinking alcohol and smoking now. I also meditate almost every day, yoga twice a week, and run every other day. I also try to eat as healthy as possible and take multivitamins, vitamin C, and a high dosage of fish oil.
Hope this makes sense. Let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you again for helping me out.
Best,
Jakob
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for follow up and details.
First of all I like to inform you that the phobic disorder is the right diagnosis for the diagnosed condition. The opinion is based on the fact that there are accompanying neurotic symptoms in form of avoidance, panic attacks, dysphagia, avoidance, social isolation among others. The diagnosis also considers no abnormality detected on various tests.
In regard to treatment I feel systemic desensitisation is the right method of treatment. The treatment involves exposure to various levels of phobic element in hierarchy manner while allowing avoiding the symptoms in planned manner.
The another best option for your condition is biofeedback.
I think seeing a psychologist in your city is the next course of action for treatment of phago-phobia. I like to inform you that yoga and meditation have limited role and can be continued as in past.
I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for follow up and details.
First of all I like to inform you that the phobic disorder is the right diagnosis for the diagnosed condition. The opinion is based on the fact that there are accompanying neurotic symptoms in form of avoidance, panic attacks, dysphagia, avoidance, social isolation among others. The diagnosis also considers no abnormality detected on various tests.
In regard to treatment I feel systemic desensitisation is the right method of treatment. The treatment involves exposure to various levels of phobic element in hierarchy manner while allowing avoiding the symptoms in planned manner.
The another best option for your condition is biofeedback.
I think seeing a psychologist in your city is the next course of action for treatment of phago-phobia. I like to inform you that yoga and meditation have limited role and can be continued as in past.
I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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