Fear of choking (pseudodysphagia)

A fear of choking can show up at mealtimes, with tablets, or even when swallowing your own saliva. It often begins after a choking scare, and it can be helped.

What it feels like

• Eating very slowly or chewing far too long
• Avoiding tablets, tough foods or restaurants
• Feeling your throat tighten before swallowing

Please note: If you choke often or have real trouble swallowing, please see your GP first so any physical cause can be checked.

Common questions

Can a fear of choking limit what I eat?

Yes, it often does. Many people cut out certain foods or avoid pills altogether, and their diet gets smaller over time. The aim is to help your body feel safe with swallowing again, step by step.

How can you help?

I use hypnotherapy and NLP to change how your mind responds to the thing you fear, so the old alarm stops going off. Sessions are one to one over Zoom, and you get a recording of the hypnosis to listen to afterwards.

How many sessions will I need?

Many clients notice a real difference after one 90 minute session. If the fear goes back a long way, three sessions gives us room to make the change stick.

Ready to start?

Book a £49 consultation call and we’ll talk through your fear, or take the free suitability test first.

See all session options and prices