Phobias

Phobias

So phobias...I have heard of pretty crazy phobias so far like  Aviatophobia - fear of flying, Barophobia - fear of gravity or Chaetophobia - fear of hair I know what are you thinking human beings are afraid of basically everything but there is one phobia that caught my attention Phagophobia can you guess what this means… fear of swallowing.

Now imagine every food in the world is like a poison scary right. Phagophobia may lead to fear of eating, and the problem of malnutrition and weight loss. In milder cases a phagophobe eats only soft and liquid foods.

       Symptoms of Phagophobia

•            A sudden disinterest in most foods or liquids. 

•            Severe weight loss                                                                      

•            Increase in general anxiety or depression.

  Treatment for Phagphobia

The focus of most therapies will be on chewing and making sure the food can easily be swallowed, followed by a drink of water. The types of foods will gradually increase in density until the patient is fully comfortable eating and swallowing food. Eventually, the gag reflex should no longer be triggered by eating and many patients are able to overcome their phagophobia.