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Mental Health > Anxiety and Stress Forum > Trouble Swallowing Food: Can it be Helped?
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Q: Trouble Swallowing Food: Can it be Helped?
asked by: DoctorQuestion on February 12th, 2006
Hi I have had problems eating food for the past 15 years since I was 15 years old, When I was 14 I almost died choking on a piece of steak, only for my mum and brother smacking my back I would of been a gonna.
A year after the choking insident one night I developed what appeared to be a lump in my throat, I was unable to swallow. I was taken to hospital where I was told there is nothing wrong, you had a panic attack.
I have lived with this problem and everytime I eat solids I have to take liquid to get it down, When I drink alchol and im drunk Im fine, probably because im relaxed. I have had sinus surgery and suffer with thick sticky mucus in my throat throughout the day. could it be this mucus or anxiety causing my problem? Ive had a barium swallow and the results was fine. Ive taken acid reflux tablets which never helped, and Ive taken Ciprilex antidepressants which helped alot but the symptom never went. Since stopping the tablets the condition is as bad as ever. Ive seen speach therapists and Im now been refered to a phychologist for hypnosis.
I want to know can my condition be rectified.


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Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD
replied on March 16th, 2006
Anxiety & Stress Answer A453
I believe that with proper therapy your condition can be healed, or at least-improved. Your problem seems more psychiatric since alcohol helps you. I strongly believe that a psychiatrist or another mental health professional can help you much more than alcohol. Antidepressants can help you a lot when combined with psycho-therapy. Mucus in your throat could be related to the sinus surgery and you can refer to an EMT-specialist for more help.


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