Anxiety while eating. Suggest something!

Hi Phagophobia, or the fear of swallowing, is a relatively rare type of phobia. It is sometimes confused with pseudodysphagia (the fear of choking). The major difference is that those with phagophobia are afraid of the act of swallowing, while those with pseudodysphagia are afraid that swallowing will lead to choking. Both fears are sometimes confused with medical conditions such as dysphagia and odynophagia, in which a physiological disorder causes difficult or painful swallowing.

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Phagophobia can lead to progressively more restricted eating habits and, in serious cases, significant health issues. However, specific phobias do respond to treatment, and several options have shown promise for treating phagophobia:4 Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps you notice your negative thought patterns so you can challenge them and adopt different behaviors. CBT also teaches you ways to overcome distress, like distracting yourself, and may include psychoeducational aspects to help you understand phagophobia. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR uses sensory stimuli, like repetitive eye movements or hand tapping, to reduce the distress you feel while swallowing. Exposure therapy: Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing yourself to your fear with the help and support of your therapist, eventually working your way up to swallowing foods or drinks. Coping While professional help is beneficial for phagophobia, you can also use coping techniques to help you overcome distress on your own. Since the throat muscles often constrict during bouts of anxiety, coping strategies generally focus on remaining calm. Find distractions: Some people find that watching TV or listening to music while eating provides a welcome distraction that makes chewing and swallowing a less intense experience. Take small bites: Small bites or small sips of liquid may feel easier to swallow than larger portions. Chew food thoroughly: Chewing your food well makes it easier to swallow, which may help alleviate some of your anxiety. Eat soft foods: Soft foods may irritate your throat less than hard, scratchy foods will. Use trial and error to find the foods you're most comfortable with. Drink liquids between bites: Taking a sip of liquid with each bite eases the swallowing process.