My Child Is Afraid Of Being Suffocated In His Food

The fear of being strangled is known as phagophobia. It is a specific type of phobia that is characterized by an excessive and irrational fear of being suffocated in its food. What can you do if your child is afraid of being suffocated in his food?

This condition can significantly affect people’s lives if they suffer from it. They tend to suffer from intense anxiety when it is time to eat. They even try to avoid any situation related to food.

Does your child suffer from this disorder? If so, then you should read this article carefully. We will explain what to do in this case.

My child is afraid of being suffocated in his food – what can I do?

The fear of being suffocated often arises in some children after they have had a traumatic experience of being suffocated in food or after witnessing someone who was being suffocated. Although there are many other reasons why fear of suffocation can develop in childhood, these are some of the most common.

Regardless of the cause of this problem, the most important thing is to find a solution. Would you like to be able to help your child overcome his or her fear of being strangled? Here are some guidelines you can use at meals.

Be patient and calm

We know that it is very worrying and frustrating when your child does not feel like eating because he or she is afraid of being suffocated. For the sake of your child, however, you need to remain calm in this situation.

It will not help if you force your child to eat or get angry. The irrational fear of sinking will continue. Therefore, you need to be patient and make the meal as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.

If your child is afraid of swallowing, show understanding of the situation

It is important that  your child knows that you understand how difficult it is for him or her to eat. You need to show unconditional support and tell your child that you do not want anything bad to happen to him or her.

In that connection, it is essential to establish open and fluid communication. That way, the child will feel comfortable enough to express his thoughts and feelings about the situation.

Monitor your meal times if your child is afraid of suffocation

One of the steps you need to take if your child is afraid of being suffocated is  to monitor the meals and make sure things are not dragged out unnecessarily in the long run. 

If your child becomes distressed or overly tense, remove his or her plate and try to get him or her to eat at the next meal.

Try to eat together as a family

If possible, try to eat together as a family. It is important. That way, your child will understand that it is a time to be enjoyed. It’s a while to spend quality time with each other. In addition to this, your child will also observe how the rest of the family members eat without any problems and without being exposed to danger.

Ask a specialist for help

If the situation does not improve once you have implemented the recommendations we have described above,  then the best solution is to consult a professional psychologist. He or she will help your child overcome his or her irrational fears through specialized therapy.

The importance of treating it if your child is afraid of being suffocated

If the fear of being strangled persists, it  can lead to a lot of negative consequences for the person suffering from the phagophobia, both on a physical and mental level: 

• Malnutrition. By deciding to stop eating or eating very little, the body will not have the necessary nutrients to function properly.
• Social isolation:  By avoiding meals with other people (family, friends, etc.), they begin to distance themselves from those around them.
• Depression. This will occur as a result of experiencing a great deal of mental discomfort day after day.

As you can see, this is not a trivial matter – far from it. For the sake of your child’s physical and mental health, you need to intervene as soon as you notice this problem. You need to try to put an end to it as soon as possible so that you can avoid even bigger problems.

Your child will be eager to live a normal life and enjoy food just like everyone else. Because of this  , you need to be there to help, support and accompany him or her in the difficult process of overcoming this phobia or irrational fear.