Boy has phobia of choking

[Mark]

After reading this article it is difficult not to feel sorry for the young boy and his family:-

http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/...-fears-choke/story-26533604-detail/story.html

How do they move on from this?

 

[Jade]

I do feel for the poor boy and it must be very difficult for his mother. Hopefully a good child specialist will be able to help him. I think maybe a good idea would let the mum teach the boy how to do the Heimlich maneuver to easy his fears. That might help him to overcome the phobia by telling him that in the unlikely event that you do choke you can easily do this and this will help. Obviously I’m not a professional and I don’t have children so this may be a silly idea but I think it would be something to consider.

 

[Mark]

Like so many phobias and instances of anxiety the very fact that your conditioning is on your mind can make the situation worse. I would imagine the slightest cough or the slightest tightening of his throat could bring about more panic and more anxiety for this young man resulting in a self-fulfilling prophecy, he does feel as if he is choking. I can’t imagine what the family are going through and can only hope that they find a solution sooner rather than later.

 

[Jade]

Without sounding negative but this phobia really does need to be managed because you can choke on liquids and mashed up food too. Imagine if he choked on the soup, I really dread to think what would happen then. He’d stop eating and drinking altogether. Also a liquid diet isn't good for this teeth but I’m sure his family have thought about all this but are just so desperate for him to eat. I really do wish him and his family all the best.