Diagnóstico y tratamiento de la fobia a tragar en la infancia y adolescencia: Estudio de casos

Abstract

Diagnosis and treatment of swallowing phobia in childhood and adolescence: case study. Swallowing phobia is characterized by excessive fear of choking on food, liquids or pills, with significant physical and functional consequences. Evidence of treatment response and efficacy is still limited to a few studies. Considering the important repercussions that this disorder generates in children and adolescents, further knowledge is needed on the available treatment protocols and their effects in all levels of care. The objective of this descriptive retrospective study is to analyze the clinical aspects and treatment outcomes of thirteen cases treated at the Child and Youth Mental Health Center of the Corporació Parc Taulí (Sabadell, Barcelona). The age range of the patients was 7-15 years (M = 10.2; SD = 2.5); and 69% of cases were women. Results suggest the disorder is established gradually and responds adequately to psychological treatment, mainly with cognitive-behavioral therapy, applied either in partial hospitalization or outpatient unit. Early, intensive and interdisciplinary intervention increases the efficacy of the applied therapy and facilitates the resolution of the associated functional and social impairment. It is essential to include this disorder in the differential diagnosis of eating disorders in childhood, and the knowledge gathered by community professionals, in order to establish an adequate assessment, early treatment, and follow-up that improves therapeutic outcomes.