Swallowing phobia: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Introduction. Choking phobia (or swallowing phobia) is characterized by a fear of swallowing foods, liquids or pills, sometimes after an episode of choking on food.

Methods. Forty-one case reports on swallowing phobia from 1978 to 2005 were studied. Clinical and therapeutic variables of the disorder were studied.

Results. It appears to occur more often in females (twothirds of the cases) and has a high comorbidity with anxiety disorders (panic disorder, 41 %; obsessive conditions, 22 %, and separation anxiety, 15%). Life-events and eating traumatic antecedents are frequently present (44% and 56% cases, respectively). Cognitive-behavioral treatments have been of proven efficacy, as well as anti-panic drugs (alprazolam, lorazepam, bromazepan, imipramine, clomipramine, fluoxetine, paroxetine) with a remission rate of 58.5%. Gender and treatment differences are also analyzed.