[Choking phobia: symptomatology, diagnosis and treatment]

Clinically significant forms of choking fear (i.e., choking phobia) are characterized by fear and avoidance of objects and situations that may lead to choking such as ingestion of food or pills. During dental treatment patients may also be confronted with situations that give rise to extreme fear of suffocating or being choked (mouth full of water, the making of dental radiographs and dental impressions). Choking phobia often develops following an episode of choking on food. The paper shortly reviews relevant literature, medical and psychiatric differential diagnosis, as well as possible treatment approaches to individuals suffering from choking fear.