PHAGOPHOBIA - A FORM OF PSYCHOGENIC DYSPHAGIA A NEW ENTITY

There is a group of patients presenting with either acute or chronic d ysphagia secondary to fear of swallowing. We have termed this entity p hagophobia. It is characterized by various significant swallowing comp laints in the face of normal findings on head and neck examination, or opharyngeal swallowing videofluoroscopy, and standard barium swallow s tudy. Ten patients who received diagnoses of phagophobia after a full evaluation at our swallowing disorders center are presented. Each pati ent was then evaluated by a psychologist, and an attempt at therapy wa s undertaken. We discuss the specific clinical features, assessment, a nd treatment of this frequently misdiagnosed disorder.