Pseudodysphagia is the fear of choking, even though there is no physical blockage or condition obstructing the swallowing process. Similar to Phagophobia – fear of swallowing, it’s a psychological condition where a person experiences discomfort or anxiety that they might choke when eating or taking medication, often without any underlying physical cause like a structural or medical problem.
Causes of Pseudodysphagia:
- Anxiety or Stress: Psychological factors like anxiety can trigger or exacerbate the feeling of being unable to swallow.
- Past Traumatic Experiences: A history of choking or difficulty swallowing could make a person more fearful of swallowing.
- Phobias: Some individuals develop a fear of choking, which may cause them to avoid eating or feel like swallowing is difficult.
- Muscle Tension: Stress can lead to tightness or tension in the muscles used for swallowing, contributing to the sensation of difficulty.
Overcoming Pseudodysphagia:
As a solution-focused hypnotherapist I work with my clients in a number of ways.
- Relaxation Techniques: Managing stress through hypnosis, deep breathing, mindfulness, and meditation can help reduce the tension that affects swallowing.
- Eating Mindfully: Focusing on the act of eating, taking smaller bites, chewing slowly, and being conscious of your surroundings can reduce anxiety and make swallowing feel more manageable.
- Working through what is currently stressing you: Finding solutions to things that you could be doing.
- Improve Sleep: Sleep is one of the primary ways we deal with stress and if you’re not sleeping then doing anything is difficult.
Case Study for pseudodysphagia
Alice came to me because she had to take some medication and having choked on some large tablets the doctor prescribed, couldn’t swallow even quartered tablets because of her fear of choking. She was taking some medication in liquid form but the ones being prescribed weren’t available. She was at her wits end when someone suggested seeing me.
Apart from the medical issues there wasn’t what Alice considered to be stressful in her life although her sleep wasn’t as good as she’d like because of arthritis.
Over the first few weeks I taught Alice how to mindfully relax her whole body and did a rewind/reframe on her terrible choking memories. I also found that she was bit of a mouth breather and she was inhaling food and liquids on occasion.
Finally we worked on the swallowing tablets by swallowing chocolate which she knew would melt. First it was small pieces and then she worked up to smarties which were similar size and shape to the prescribed medication. After 5 weeks she reported back that she was able to take the meds and they were helping with her health issues.
If pseudodysphagia is affecting your daily life, it’s helpful to talk to a doctor who can refer you to a specialist to make sure there is no obstruction in the throat. If deemed psychological then solution-focused hypnotherapy can be a great help. Give me a call or email your symptoms and book up a consultation.
For more information go to: Elsevier