Swallowing, Choking, and Vomiting Phobias

Fear of Food (That is NOT an Eating Disorder)

Are you afraid of eating? Are you fearful of choking or throwing up?

Fear of Eating Phobias

Where phobias and eating collide, we can help you. As specialists trained in both eating disorders and cognitive-behavioral therapy—the treatment of choice for anxiety and phobias— we are uniquely qualified to help with these problems.

A phobia is an intense anxiety disorder that manifests in relation to certain commonly feared objects or situations. Some common phobias include situations that affect eating. These include specific phobia of swallowing (Phagophobia), choking (Pseudodysphagia), and vomiting (Emetophobia). These phobias can occur in children or adults and may often occur after an incident such as being sick, observing others being sick, a choking incident, or the like.

Symptoms of Eating Phobias

Potential symptoms may include:

• avoiding eating certain foods
• decreased eating volume
• avoiding eating in certain locations
• avoiding eating around others
• avoidance of other situations because of the phobia
• weight loss
• nutritional compromise

People who experience these phobias may start to avoid eating certain foods or eating altogether, or may engage in safety behaviors: behaviors they feel protect them from the danger, such as taking tiny bites or chewing excessively. They may also avoid being around people who are sick, places where they believe people are more likely to be sick, or any situation that could produce motion sickness. These phobias are often accompanied by a number of physical complaints including nausea, stomach aches, and reflux and look a lot like a medical problem. This is why it is important to see a medical doctor to rule out any medical problems.

Over time, if people with any of these phobias continue to avoid eating certain foods or eating enough, additional problems can develop. These problems may include delayed gastric emptying (gastroparesis) and malnutrition. Significant weight loss and dehydration may occur. People with these phobias may also qualify for a diagnosis of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). The symptoms of ARFID include: weight loss, nutritional deficiency, dependence on nutritional supplementation, and/or impairment in psychosocial functioning. There are three major types of ARFID: 1) Textural sensitivity, 2) Low interest, and 3) Fear of traumatic consequences. While some people with ARFID may have symptoms of more than one type of ARFID, the three phobias discussed here overlap mostly with the fear of traumatic consequences type of ARFID.

Treatment for Swallowing, Choking, and Vomiting Phobias

The more one avoids the thing that makes them scared, the worse the fear gets. Treatment for these phobias and the ARFID related to fear of traumatic consequences entail exposure—that is, facing the fears. Don’t worry! This doesn’t sound as bad as it is. We won’t make you throw up!

We conduct a thorough assessment that allows us to individualize your treatment. We then work together to create a hierarchy (ladder) of your fears and develop a plan to help you gradually face those scary things you’ve been avoiding. We also provide education about the anxiety cycle, the physical symptoms of anxiety, and strategies for coping with uncomfortable feelings and physical sensations. In session, we will work together on exposure and we may assign homework. Exposure activities we may suggest include spinning around (to induce sensations of nausea), eating different foods, practicing swallowing M and M’s (or half or quarter M and M’s), and looking at cartoons about vomiting. We don’t move on to any step until you are ready.

Over time, you will be able to overcome your fear. If you have lost weight and need to regain it we will also guide you in strategies to stop and reverse weight loss. When working with teens and children with these issues, we use a family-based approach.

Learn how to support a loved one with emetophobia.

We also offer a free group for adults with ARFID in California.

Begin Counseling for a Swallowing, Choking, or Vomiting Phobia in California

Remember that help for your swallowing, choking, or vomiting phobia is only an email or a phone call away. Our Los Angeles, California eating disorder therapists can help. We provide therapy online or in person.

To start your addressing your phobia, follow these simple steps:

1. Contact Eating Disorder Therapy LA
2. Speak to our practice manager who will either match you to a therapist or provide referrals
3. Start recovering from your phobia and learning how to eat normally again.
   

   Other Counseling Services at Eating Disorder Therapy LA

   At Eating Disorder Therapy LA, we specialize in evidence-based treatments for all eating disorders and related issues. We provide therapy for Anorexia Nervosa, Atypical Anorexia, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, Bulimia Nervosa, and Body Image.