Symptoms: Friends of the Fear
Every case of fear of swallowing is a little different.
Why? Because the core of the problem – the patterns of thinking, the images, movies, sounds and dialog that are internally associated with swallowing or eating – are different in each person.
(Note that most cures offered for fear of swallowing – expecially using drugs and medications – will tackle only the symptoms, not the thinking that is the actual core of the problem).
But while the 'internal representations' as they are called are different from person to person there are a number of symptoms which are common to many phagophobes:
- A feeling of uncontrollable anxiety when you think about or are exposed to swallowing or eating
- The feeling that you must do everything possible to avoid swallowing or eating
- The inability to function normally because of your anxiety
- Often, the knowledge that your fears are unreasonable or exaggerated but feeling powerless to control them
Phagophobic symptoms can be mental, emotional and physical. The anxiety and fear can go from mild feelings of apprehension to a full-blown panic attack.
Typically, the closer you are to what you’re afraid of, the greater your fear will be. You can test the severity of your problem with this 2-minute online fear of swallowing test.
But because the fear is a physical response to patterns of thinking about swallowing or eating and not the actual swallowing or eating almost all people with fear of swallowing can create a very strong reaction just by using their mind.
> For help chaging these patterns of thinking, read this article How to Overcome Fear of Swallowing.
Mental Symptoms
- Obsessive Thoughts
- Difficulty thinking about anything other than the fear
- Really bad images and/or movies of swallowing or eating
- Feelings of unreality or of being detached from yourself
- Fear of losing control or going crazy
- Fear of fainting
Emotional Symptoms:
- Anticipatory Anxiety: Persistent worrying about upcoming events that involve swallowing or eating
- Terror: A persistent and overwhelming fear of the same
- Desire to Flee: An intense instinct to leave the situation (which is tough when its purely in the mind)
While not generally experienced at the same time as fear of swallowing episode, we find that overall when they think about their past, most clients have elevated levels of one or more of:
- Anger, Sadness, Fear, Hurt & Guilt
Physical Symptoms:
- Dizziness, shaking, palpitations.
- Shortness of breath or smothering sensation
- Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Trembling or shaking
- Feeling of choking
- Sweating
- Nausea or stomach distress
- Feeling unsteady, dizzy, lightheaded, or faint
- Numbness or tingling sensations
- Hot or cold flashes
Next Action
- Get One on One Help:
The VIP Program for Fear of Swallowing- Get the Home Study Program:
Vanquish Fear & Anxiety for Fear of Swallowing
Or learn more about Fear of Swallowing:
