Trouble Swallowing... Could this just be anxiety?

[triciaslcd]

having trouble swallowing. I feel the urge to clear my throat a lot after I eat or drink, and sometimes I feel like there's something off with the "timing" of swallowing. Like it just doesn't feel natural anymore and I'm overthinking it, maybe? Maybe a few times a day, I feel like I'm literally unable to start the swallowing motion with my throat. Then I wait a few seconds and the feeling goes away and I can swallow normally again. It's kind of a scary feeling because I feel like I'm about to choke on whatever I'm eating or drinking.

I wonder if this might be anxiety, because I've had anxiety about really random things before and I know that it can sometimes create physical symptoms. This symptom started shortly after I found out I have some weird undiagnosable immune system issue. Repeated blood tests keep showing that I [i]should[/i] be really susceptible to getting sick, but I feel mostly normal. Maybe the swallowing thing is like a weird subconscious attempt to "create symptoms for myself"? Or does it sound like I have a real problem here?

[nursegirl6572]

I agree with the above reply.  It's amazing when you get "stuck" overanalyzing something how drastically it can affect us.  If you start focusing on your breathing, the same thing happens.  Before long, you feel like you have to control your breathing, or like your breathing isn't right.

Thankfully, most of these functions are automatic and don't need any help from us.  Even if it "feels" funny, you can be assured that there's nothing wrong.

If you haven't recently, go see your doc, have a thorough exam, and maybe ask for a referral to an ENT who can more closely assess your swallowing, just to reassure you that nothing is wrong.  Then definitely start addressing the anxiety with a professional.  Have you ever tried any therapy for your anxiety?  Meds?

Keep us updated!

[meldolphin]

This could definitely be a sign of anxiety.  I used to have a pretty bad aversion to swallowing pills, and sometimes I would put the pill in my mouth and "forget" how to swallow.  I just couldn't bring myself to do it.  I'd take the pill out and then suddenly I could swallow again.  When this happens, is your appetite suppressed at all?  Do you feel a wave of nausea when you swallow?  Those might be signs of anxiety.  If you are concerned go see a doctor.  They can check to make sure there's nothing physically wrong with your throat when you swallow.