Phobia of choking

[rachel588]

My 5 year old daughter had a choking episode with a grape, almost a month ago. She was very scared and she stopped eating fruits.  Gradually, she eliminated more and more foods, until this point that she is only drinking Pediasure, milk and drinkable yogurt. The pediatrician advised us do not make a big deal about it, and she will gradually get better.  It's already a month and the situation is  just getting worse.  She is now loosing weight and get stomach cramps. At this point, should we check with an specialist?


This discussion is related to 5 Year old, from big eater to phobia of choking.

[AnnieBrooke]

I can see that she would be scared, but don't see the value in you acting like she has a phobia -- if she hears you give the situation a dramatic and scary-sounding name, it is not going to make things better.  Things are already dramatically loaded enough, don't pile on.

Please talk to a children's therapist, and get his or her advice on how you (the parent) should proceed.

In the meantime, suggest she try some oatmeal, as it is marvelous for regulating things.

[specialmom]

hi.  My son has sensory issues that made chewing difficult for him.  Hence, he choked and gagged a lot as a young toddler.  We all have something called a gag memory.  It is really hard to overcome this memory for some kids.  My son gagged on meat.  Guess what he doesn't want to eat?  Meat.  He'll begin gagging as it hits his throat due to this 'gag memory'.  

What we have done is not given much attention to the gagging he does and still serve him the food.  If he takes one small bite and gets it down---  we praise him.  It is a bit like 'exposure' therapy they give to someone that has avoidance behavior to something that is 'irrational'.  The more bites he takes, the more he sees he can do it without choking.  

I would still have an expectation that your child eat.  Cut food very small and serve her with the family with the expectation that she participate in dinner.  

Good luck.  It is a bit tough to overcome but if you are persistant, she should be able to.  

[margypops]

I would give her mushy'/soft  foods for a while I don't believe its any disorder I think your child became afraid to eat hard food, like grapes, she is simply afraid ..it isn't a concern ...choking isnt a nice experience but she will get over it given some time ...good luck