Pseudodysphagia

Pseudodysphagia, in its severe form, is the irrational fear of swallowing or, in its minor form, of choking. The act of swallowing becomes mentally linked with choking or with reduced capacity of the opening of the throat. Individuals with pseudodysphagia have difficulty swallowing, and may experience panic before or during the act of swallowing. The symptoms are psychosomatic, so while the sensation of difficult swallowing feels authentic to the individual, it is not based on a real physical symptom. It is important that dysphagia (difficult or painful swallowing) be ruled out before a diagnosis of pseudodysphagia is made.

Fear of choking is associated with anxiety, depression, panic attacks, hypochondriasis, and weight loss. The condition can occur in children and adults, and is equally common in men and women. Quality of life can be severely affected. Avoidance of restaurants or social settings is common, since sometimes food can only be taken in small bites or with liquid.

References[]

• Dysphagia, Volume 24, Number 3, 357–361, doi:10.1007/s00455-008-9206-8
• Adrienne Perlman (1997). Deglutition and Its Disorders: Anatomy, Physiology, Clinical Diagnosis. Thomson Delmar Learning. ISBN 1-56593-621-3.