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Abstract: Swallowing phobia: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

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posted Monday, 25 September 2006

Actas Esp Psiquiatr. 2006 Sep-Oct;34(5):309-16.

Swallowing phobia: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

de Lucas-Taracena M, Montanes-Rada F.

Fundacion Hospital Alcorcon. Madrid.

Introduction. Choking phobia (or swallowing phobia) is characterized by a fear of swallowing foods, liquids or pills, sometimes after an episode of choking on food.

Methods. Forty-one case reports on swallowing phobia from 1978 to 2005 were studied. Clinical and therapeutic variables of the disorder were studied.

Results. It appears to occur more often in females (twothirds of the cases) and has a high comorbidity with anxiety disorders (panic disorder, 41 %; obsessive conditions, 22 %, and separation anxiety, 15 %). Life-events and eating traumatic antecedents are frequently present (44% and 56% cases, respectively). Cognitive-behavioral treatments have been of proven efficacy, as well as anti-panic drugs (alprazolam, lorazepam, bromazepan, imipramine, clomipramine, fluoxetine, paroxetine) with a remission rate of 58.5%. Gender and treatment differences are also analyzed.

PMID: 16991019 [PubMed - in process]

(Text has been reformatted for clarity; ed.)

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Action-potential

Wave of electrochemical activity generated by the flow of positively charged ions across the neuronal membrane which causes a neuron to 'fire'
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Affective disorders

Mental disorders characterized by dramatic changes or extremes of mood - depression, mania, or both - including depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), and schizo affective disorders.
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Alleles

An alternative form of a gene (one member of a pair) that is located at a specific position on a specific chromosome. There are two alleles for each trait.
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Amygdalae

Two almond-shaped groups of neurons - there is one amygdala (Greek for almond) in each brain hemisphere. They have the primary role in processing and storing memories of emotional reactions.

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Anterior cingulate cortex

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Also controls autonomic functions such as heart rate and blood pressure in the context of current behavior.
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Brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Protein required for the growth and survival of nerve cells during development, and for maintenance of adult nerve cells. Studies have shown that some neurotrophic factors can trigger regrowth of damaged nerve cells and stimulate growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses in the hippocampus.
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Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT)

Type of psychotherapy emphasizing the important role of thinking in how we feel and what we do.

Based on the concept that our thoughts cause our feelings and behaviors, not external things like people, situations, and events. The benefit of this fact is that we can change the way we think to feel/act better even if the situation does not change.
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Compassion meditation

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Related to Mindfulness Meditation/Psychotherapy.
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Corticotropin-releasing factor

A polypeptide hormone and neuro- transmitter involved in the stress response.

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Cortisol

The most potent of the stress hormones. Synthesized from cholesterol by the adrenal glands. Increases blood pressure, blood sugar levels and suppresses immune function.
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Part of the hippocampus. Thought to contribute to formation of new memories and is one of the few brain regions where neurogenesis occurs. Has a role in recognizing the differences that make each place unique. Processing errors may play a role in deja vu.
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Depression - Atypical

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First-degree relative

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Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

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Homologous

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Interpersonal psychotherapy

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Neuropeptide

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Receptor

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Receptor agonist

A chemical which is able to bind to receptors of a neurotransmitter and trigger the same biological response as that neurotransmitter.

Receptor antagonist

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Serotonin transporter

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Somatization disorder

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