13 year old afraid to eat in case she chokes

[Pinky782]

After some advice please. My 13 year old daughter accidentally swallowed a whole boiled sweet a few weeks back which really frightened her. Since then she has become obsessed with eating. She is afraid she is going to choke. She chews what she does eat up so many times it takes forever. She says she just thinks about it all the time and is afraid to be alone in case she stops breathing. It’s becoming a struggle to get her to eat anything at all.
Our doctor has referred her to ENT doctor and a therapist but just wondered if anyone has any experience of this to help in the meantime. It’s so horrible to see her like it.

So glad she's been referred @Pinky782 and hope you get someone coming along with experience soon

I struggle with this, after choking on stringy cheese years ago, I can be fine for months, then I’ll have a flare up of anxiety and it starts all over again, it’s as if my throat closes and I physically cannot swallow.

Will she eat soup? Thats my go to when I’m having an episode. I have a tin of soup, with bread dipped in to soften it, and I have a large glass of water handy, so if needs be I can have a mouthful of water with my food.

I can usually manage pasta as well, with plenty of sauce. I avoid meat, cheese, and anything that’s dry really.

Is she ok with liquids?

That sounds like it was really scary for your daughter and now she’s managing those feelings by trying to avoid the chances of it happening again. You can google fear avoidance cycle with her so she understands what her brain is doing. It could be likened to falling off a horse and then not riding but missing out on a love of riding… or hurting your leg on a bus then choosing not to take the bus but missing out on seeing friends. I find it useful to think of the thoughts eg “I can’t eat some bread as I might choke” as like a cheeky toddler having a tantrum in a toy shop… the more we give in to them the more they’ll ask for a toy! It’s the same with those fearful thoughts. The way to move towards lessening the fear is as the above poster suggested … thinking what the tiniest first step may be eg yoghurt/ soup… you and her could draw a ladder - bottom rung is where she is now- top rung is her goal - and fill in the steps. Think what will help her feel safe while she’s trying these things- who’s with her? Which room? What cutlery? Music playing? Dog in attendance?! Sorry this is long!