Ahead of Print

Abstract

Phagophobia is a rare condition that can be classified as an avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, characterized by avoidance of swallowing due to fear of choking or suffocation, with a significant impact on the patient’s physical and mental health as well as on their family.
An eight-year-old girl developed phagophobia after a neighbor’s death by choking, subsequently restricting her diet to liquids only and experiencing weight loss. She began follow-up in child psychiatry and gradually resumed a normal diet. After experiencing a choking episode herself, she again restricted her food intake and started pharmacological treatment. Regarding the family impact, the mother developed a reactive depression, the brother presented partial food refusal, and there were occasional intrafamilial conflicts.
In this case, an early diagnosis likely contributed to a good response from both the patient and her family. Nevertheless, despite the absence of apparent prior family dysfunction, a significant family impact was evident, highlighting the importance of family-centered intervention to promote the recovery of both the patient and the family.