Choking phobia: full remission following behavior therapy

Diagnosis and successful visual biofeedback therapy using fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing in a young adult patient with psychogenic dysphagia: a case report

“…It is important to differentiate psychogenic dysphagia from organic or other types of functional dysphagia. In psychogenic dysphagia, the fear of swallowing occurs due to experiencing or witnessing a choking event or feeling a lump or fullness in the throat when swallowing [1,[3][4][5]. Therefore, obtaining a detailed and accurate medical history is important.…”

“…Weight loss, avoidance of eating, and malnutrition can also occur, lowering the quality of life. Psychogenic dysphagia has been described using several terms, including choking phobia [ 3 , 4 ], globus hystericus [ 5 ], hysterical dysphagia [ 6 ], and phagophobia [ 7 ].…”

Protocolized Intervention for Children and Adolescents With Phagophobia

“…Our study successfully increased the number of foods consumed and the variety of foods accepted across all food groups. Dietary diversity is critical in ensuring that children are properly nourished (1,15). The diet expansion included foods in all food texture categories, except for mashed/lumpy foods, which are not a significant portion of an older child’s diet.…”

“…P hagophobia is a feeding disorder involving fear of swallowing, which results in significant restriction of oral intake, leading to weight loss, dehydration, and occasionally need for supplemental formulas or enteral nutrition (EN) (1). Phagophobia typically has a sudden onset and can occur at any age following an aversive oral experience such as a choking event (2,3).…”

Psychiatric Aspects of Dysphagia

“…Sometimes the term ''sitophobia,'' from the Greek words sito (''food'') and phobia (''fear,'' ''aversion''), may be used to describe a condition with pathologic fear of swallowing. Other terms which may be used are ''choking phobia or swallowing phobia'' (Seems et al 2009;De Lucas-Taracena and Montanes-Rada 2006;McNally 1994), ''globus hystericus'' (Finkenbine and Miele 2004;Ravich et al 1989;Stacher 1983Stacher , 1986, ''hysterical dysphagia'' (Ciyiltepe and Türkbay 2006;Nicasso et al 1981), ''phagophobia'' (Ciyiltepe and Türkbay 2006;Shapiro et al 1997), and ''pseudodysphagia'' (Bradley and Narula 1987).…”