Phagophobia

Phagophobia is a psychogenic dysphagia, a fear of swallowing.^[1] It is expressed in various swallowing complaints without any apparent physical reason detectable by physical inspection and laboratory analyses. An obsolete term for this phobia is choking phobia,^[2] but it was suggested that the latter term is confusing and it is necessary to distinguish the fear of swallowing (i.e., of the propulsion of bolus) from fear of choking.^[1]

Phagophobia is classified as a specific phobia and according to DSM-IV classification it belongs to the category of "other phobias". Phagophobia may lead to (and be confused with) fear of eating, and the subsequent malnutrition and weight loss. In milder cases a phagophobe eats only soft and liquid foods.^{[3][dead link]}

See also

• Odynophagia
• Pseudodysphagia
• List of phobias

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} Shapiro J, Franko DL, Gagne A. Phagophobia: a form of psychogenic dysphagia. A new entity. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1997; 106: 286-290.
2. ^ McNally RJ. Choking phobia: a review of the literature. Compr Psychiatry 1994; 35: 83-89.
3. ^ Müzeyyen Çiyiltepe, Tümer Türkbay, Phagophobia: a case report, The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics, 2006, Volume 48, Number 1, Page(s) 080-084

References

• Klinger RL, Strang JP. Psychiatric aspects of swallowing disorders. Psychosomatics 1987; 28: 572-576.