What Is Phagophobia?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCopingFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

Coping

Frequently Asked Questions

Phagophobia, or the fear of swallowing, is a relatively rare type ofphobia. It is sometimes confused withpseudodysphagia(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.

Symptoms of Phagophobia

Phagophobia can cause a number of different symptoms, the most noticeable of which is an extreme reluctance or avoidance of swallowing foods, liquids, or pills.

Other symptoms of phagophobia include:

Phagophobia can be dangerous if left untreated, as someone with this condition may stop eating and drinking for days at a time, putting them at risk for dehydration, significant weight loss, and malnutrition.

Causes of Phagophobia

Fear of Foods

Phagophobia may surface in people who experience other food-related fears. Food phobias may involve a fear of specific types of food, like perishables or foods that are dangerous when undercooked. Persistent worrying about eating contaminated food may also lead to phagophobia.

What Is Cibophobia (Food Phobia)?

Negative Experiences With Eating

Anxiety and Tension

Phagophobia is one of the few phobias that can actually bring about the feared condition (phobophobia, or fear of phobias and fear, is another).Anxietyand tension can cause the throat muscles to constrict, feeling like “a lump in the throat.”

Those who fear swallowing may find themselves physically unable to do so once they become too anxious. This, in turn, can worsen the fear, creating a perpetuating cycle that is difficult to break.

Phagophobia can also occur in the absence of any identifiable triggers.

Diagnosis of Phagophobia

Phagophobia is recognized as aspecific phobiain the fifth edition of theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-5).Specific phobias involve fear of a specific object or situation—in this case, swallowing—that’s out of proportion with the real danger that’s present.

To diagnose phagophobia, a healthcare provider will talk to you to determine if your symptoms have lasted at least six months and are extreme enough that they cause disruptions in your life, like in your relationships or career.

They will also rule out other medical conditions that can lead to problems swallowing, like dry mouth, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD),body dysmorphia, or globus hystericus (the chronic feeling of having a lump in the throat).They may also look for signs of another mental health condition, such as:

Treatment for Phagophobia

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.

Find a therapist who will work with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your phagophobia and any related disorders. Developing a relationship with a mental health professional who comes to know you well can be very helpful, as your phagophobia treatment plan will need to be designed to meet your specific needs.

Different Types of Treatment Plans

Coping With Phagophobia

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.

RecapUsing self-help strategies can be useful when you are coping with a fear of swallowing. Taking small bites, chewing thoroughly, eating soft foods, and drinking plenty of fluids can be helpful.

Recap

Using self-help strategies can be useful when you are coping with a fear of swallowing. Taking small bites, chewing thoroughly, eating soft foods, and drinking plenty of fluids can be helpful.

Keep in Mind

While phagophobia is rare, it’s a serious condition that often requires professional treatment. If you believe you may have this phobia, it’s also important to work with a specialist to rule out other medical conditions that are related to problems swallowing.

10 of the Most Common Phobias

Frequently Asked QuestionsMake sure you have plenty of water and consider practicing with a small piece of candy or food. Ask a pharmacist if you can crush or chew the pill, or whether your medication is available in a gel capsule or liquid form. One study found thattwo techniquesknown as the “pop-bottle” method or the “lean-forward” technique can make swallowing pills easier.Phobias respond well to treatments, including CBT and exposure therapy, so seeking professional help is the best way to overcome this fear. Relaxation techniques, taking small bites, and eating soft foods can also be helpful.Psychotherapy can be helpful if you are experiencing feelings of anxiety, but there are also self-help strategies that can be helpful. Meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation can be useful for managing anxiety when you are struggling with a fear of swallowing. Talk to your healthcare provider about your treatment options.

Make sure you have plenty of water and consider practicing with a small piece of candy or food. Ask a pharmacist if you can crush or chew the pill, or whether your medication is available in a gel capsule or liquid form. One study found thattwo techniquesknown as the “pop-bottle” method or the “lean-forward” technique can make swallowing pills easier.

Phobias respond well to treatments, including CBT and exposure therapy, so seeking professional help is the best way to overcome this fear. Relaxation techniques, taking small bites, and eating soft foods can also be helpful.

Psychotherapy can be helpful if you are experiencing feelings of anxiety, but there are also self-help strategies that can be helpful. Meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation can be useful for managing anxiety when you are struggling with a fear of swallowing. Talk to your healthcare provider about your treatment options.

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Suraweera C, Hanwella R, de Silva V.Phagophobia: A case report.BMC Res Notes. 2014;7:574. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-7-574Evans IM, Pechtel P.Phagophobia: Behavioral treatment of a complex case involving fear of fear.Clin Case Stud. 2011;10(1):37-52. doi:10.1177/1534650110391085American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. American Psychiatric Publishing. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Sahoo S, Hazari N, Padhy SK.Choking phobia: An uncommon phobic disorder, treated with behavior therapy: A case report and review of the literature.Shanghai Arch Psychiatry. 2016;28(6):349-352. doi:10.11919/j.issn.1002-0829.216055Schiele JT, Schneider H, Quinzler R, Reich G, Haefeli WE.Two techniques to make swallowing pills easier.Ann Fam Med. 2014;12(6):550-552. doi:10.1370/afm.1693

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Suraweera C, Hanwella R, de Silva V.Phagophobia: A case report.BMC Res Notes. 2014;7:574. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-7-574Evans IM, Pechtel P.Phagophobia: Behavioral treatment of a complex case involving fear of fear.Clin Case Stud. 2011;10(1):37-52. doi:10.1177/1534650110391085American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. American Psychiatric Publishing. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Sahoo S, Hazari N, Padhy SK.Choking phobia: An uncommon phobic disorder, treated with behavior therapy: A case report and review of the literature.Shanghai Arch Psychiatry. 2016;28(6):349-352. doi:10.11919/j.issn.1002-0829.216055Schiele JT, Schneider H, Quinzler R, Reich G, Haefeli WE.Two techniques to make swallowing pills easier.Ann Fam Med. 2014;12(6):550-552. doi:10.1370/afm.1693

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Suraweera C, Hanwella R, de Silva V.Phagophobia: A case report.BMC Res Notes. 2014;7:574. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-7-574Evans IM, Pechtel P.Phagophobia: Behavioral treatment of a complex case involving fear of fear.Clin Case Stud. 2011;10(1):37-52. doi:10.1177/1534650110391085American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. American Psychiatric Publishing. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Sahoo S, Hazari N, Padhy SK.Choking phobia: An uncommon phobic disorder, treated with behavior therapy: A case report and review of the literature.Shanghai Arch Psychiatry. 2016;28(6):349-352. doi:10.11919/j.issn.1002-0829.216055Schiele JT, Schneider H, Quinzler R, Reich G, Haefeli WE.Two techniques to make swallowing pills easier.Ann Fam Med. 2014;12(6):550-552. doi:10.1370/afm.1693

Suraweera C, Hanwella R, de Silva V.Phagophobia: A case report.BMC Res Notes. 2014;7:574. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-7-574

Evans IM, Pechtel P.Phagophobia: Behavioral treatment of a complex case involving fear of fear.Clin Case Stud. 2011;10(1):37-52. doi:10.1177/1534650110391085

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. American Psychiatric Publishing. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

Sahoo S, Hazari N, Padhy SK.Choking phobia: An uncommon phobic disorder, treated with behavior therapy: A case report and review of the literature.Shanghai Arch Psychiatry. 2016;28(6):349-352. doi:10.11919/j.issn.1002-0829.216055

Schiele JT, Schneider H, Quinzler R, Reich G, Haefeli WE.Two techniques to make swallowing pills easier.Ann Fam Med. 2014;12(6):550-552. doi:10.1370/afm.1693

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