| Phagophobia | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Psychology |
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 condition 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]
See also
- Odynophagia
- Pseudodysphagia
- List of phobias
Notes
- ^ 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.
- ^ McNally RJ. Choking phobia: a review of the literature. Compr Psychiatry 1994; 35: 83-89.
- ^ Çiyiltepe, M; Türkbay, T (2006). "Phagophobia: A case report". The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics. 48 (1): 80–4. PMID 16562793.
References
- Klinger, RL; Strang, JP (1987). "Psychiatric aspects of swallowing disorders". Psychosomatics. 28 (11): 572–6. doi:10.1016/S0033-3182(87)72455-4. PMID 3324155.