There are a lot of common phobias that you can encounter. Some of it is common to most people. That is why you are so familiar with them. However, have you ever heard of the fear of choking? It is a condition where you have an intense fear that you might end up choking. It is to the point that you will avoid swallowing solid foods. You also do not like to take pills through your mouth.
Therefore, a person who is experiencing this type of fear might have a bad memory of getting choked. Some people still have this type of phobia even if they did not have a traumatic experience of choking. Since this fear is one of the world’s rarest conditions, you have to learn more about it. Also, to help you with that, here are some of the interesting facts about it.
1. It is not an Eating Disorder
Pseudodysphagia is different from eating disorders. An eating disorder is a condition where you avoid eating to lose weight. But for pseudodysphagia includes fear. It is because that fear of choking makes you not want to eat. There are trauma and fear involved. Trauma and excessive fear are not present in an eating disorder condition. If you have an eating disorder, it is already in your intention to withdraw food.
2. Avoid going to the Dentist
If you have this rare condition visiting your dentist would be a struggle for you. It is because you fear that you might choke on your saliva. Aside from that, there is a possibility of you choking your saliva. You also fear that you might choke on the dental instruments that are being used by the dentists. It can happen as sit on the dental chair while opening your mouth wide open. You are worrying about how you can breathe at ease. But going to a dentist is very important. Since your teeth need to get cleaned and cared for once in a while. It is to make your visits to the doctor less of a burden. You can do these things:
Be Honest
Talking to your doctor the right way can do wonders. Hence, it is better to express your needs clearly and constructively. As a result, your doctor can attend to your needs right away.
Be open to your doctor about your phobia. So, they can become aware of what to do to cater to your needs.
3. Lack of Nutrition
Battling with food is very dangerous. Hence, it is not good to continue to avoid food for the longest time. You will not be providing enough nutrients for your body. Food is the only primary source in which our body can get energy. Having this condition can make your chances of getting malnourished is going to be high. So, you have this type of fear. You have to get treated right away. This problem needs treatment right away. Consult your doctor about your situation. So that he/she can provide and plan the right treatment for you.
4. Unhealthy Way of Losing Weight
Most people would want to lose weight. But losing weight without proper nutrition is not effective. It will only make you unhealthy. But if you have this phobia, you will not be able to avoid losing weight. Since you are avoiding solid foods, you will start to lose a huge amount of weight. Though, a soft diet is okay if you only do it for a short period. However, if you do not get treated right away, you will eat soft foods for the longest time. It is not going to have a good impact on your health.
5. Pseudodysphagia confused with phagophobia
Phagophobia is the fear of swallowing. The fear of swallowing is different from the fear of choking. If you have it, you feel afraid to swallow, while pseudodysphagia is the fear of swallowing because it might lead to choking. There are a few differences in the critical definitions of these two conditions. But you can consider them as almost the same.
Recall your past experiences with choking and food. You might have bad experiences of it. Facing your fears include knowing your past relationship with food. In this way, you can root out the cause of your condition. Do not lose hope. Above all, a doctor who is an expert in this field can give you some ways to cope with your fear.
