I have anxiety, I've battled it for most
of my life. One of my worst anxiety
symtoms is tight throat / feeling as if
theres a lump in my throat. When it
happens, I constantly clear my throat (as
if Im trying to cough up flem) but because
it's "all in my head" there is no flem..
however, I keep doing it because it feels
like somthing is stuck in my throat. My
doctor said my throat is irritated because
of it.
Is this self-injury? I'm not doing it to
myself on purpose and I'm afriad of what
could happen if I continue to do it, like
pop a vessel in my throat or somthing, i
feel like im really damaging my throat.
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joshhopp
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 Oct 2007 Posts: 5
Posted: 10-20-07 06:38am
Hi. i'm not a doctor, but I'm a third year
med student so I may be able to offer some
remedial contribution. I have had anxiety
issues in the past and I know exactly what
you mean by the sensation of a foreign
body being present in the throat; it is a
very real symptom of anxiety and is a
recognised psychiatric entity. The
syndrome has been given the rather
insensitive name "globus hystericus".
Remember, the fact that "its in your head"
does not in any way diminish the reality
and seriousness of your suffering. On the
contrary.
I do not believe that the fact that your
reaction to this sensation satisfies the
requirement for self-injury per se
because, as you say, your aim is not to
induce harm. Nonetheless, it is certainly
concerning. I imagine your doctor
performed a examination on your throat and
his concerns about injury are warranted.
It is clear that the underlying cause
(globus hystericus) must be adressed; the
condition requires psychiatric and/or
psychological intervention. I would talk
to my primary care physician about
management or referral. Best of luck!
|
VINTAGEWASTE
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 28 Location: ,
Posted: 10-20-07 18:39pm
thanks so much for your response.
can this 'globus hystericus' ever be
dangerous?
even though its anxiety, and "all in my
head" can it harm me to a point where i
cant breathe anymore?
thats my biggest fear.
|
joshhopp
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 Oct 2007 Posts: 5
Posted: 10-20-07 19:35pm
By definition, globus hystericus is never
dangerous and will not cause respiratory
difficulties. However, globus hystericus
is only one possible diagnosis associated
with the sensation of a foreign body in
the thoat. Although I am sure your doctor
was able to exclude other potential
diagnoses, e.g actual foreign body
impaction, space occupying lesion (e.g.
abscess), tracheal stenosis (associated
with various rare systemic diseases such
as tuberculosis and sarcoidosis) and
neurological diseases, these diseases
entail a very real risk of respiratory
distress. However, given your history of
anxiety, combined with your absense of
other symptoms such as fever, and most
importantly the fact that you doctor has
examined you, make any such diagnoses
unlikely. So, although I can safely say
that globus hystericus, by definition, is
a psychiatric concern and does not entail
risk for organic disease, I am hesitant to
say that you definitely will never have
respiratory distress, because other
diseases remain remote possibilties.
Hope this helps!
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haleyx0
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 8
Posted: 12-29-07 01:23am
If your not doing it to hurt yourself then
I don't think it's self injury.
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