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I can't swallow food, but nothing is wrong?

Basically since I was 7 years old, I've had this weird issue where I can't swallow food normally. I'll explain. The only way I could actually swallow food, is by chewing it, then mixing it with liquid in my mouth. There aee Certain textures I am incapable of swallowing even with the assist of liquids, such as, fat, like meat fat, tough meat, Corn and mainly all fruits and vegetables, and so on. When I was 13, I finally addressed this issue with my Mother, so I went to the hospital, and the diagnosed me with dysphagia. But that was just a diagnosis based on me telling them about my issue, later on, I got x-ray's, and I was made to swallow a liquid while they were X-raying me, then they put a camera down my throat, and told me that absolutely nothing was wrong???? I am an anxiety sufferer, but the way this feels is like, it feels like there's actually something wrong physically, not mentally. It's taken a huge toll on my social life an I forgot what it even feels like to just naturally swallow. I often look upon people who eat and the way they swallow food effortlessly leaves me in awe and shock and it makes me resent myself. Why couldn't I be like them, and WHY must I have this awful issue. I just hate it so much. Any insights???

1 Answer

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  • Anonymous
    4 years ago

    Dysphagia itself is not a diagnosis-- it's a symptom of some underlying condition. But in this case, I'd say your dysphagia is psychogenic and stems from your anxiety or OCD. First, you've already HAD diagnostic tests done & were cleared medically. That means no physical abnormalities. Second, if it were from any kind of neuromuscular disease, the dysphagia wouldn't just linger for *years* and you'd have other, more serious symptoms. Those two facts virtually eliminate everything EXCEPT a psychological fixation. Ask your doctor, but I'll bet he/she refers you to a therapist.

    Source(s): Retired nurse
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