Pseudodysphagia

Pseudodysphagia, in its severe form, is the irrational fear of swallowing, or in its minor form, of choking; the symptoms are psychosomatic, so while the sensation of difficult swallowing feels authentic to the individual it is not based on a real physical symptom, and dysphagia, actual difficult or painful swallowing, must be ruled out before a diagnosis of pseudodysphagia is made. Fear of choking is associated with anxiety, depression, panic attacks, hypochondriasis and weight loss, can occur in children and adults, is equally common in men and women, and can severely affect quality of life.