[Choking phobia: care plan in children and adolescents]
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Published on: January 17, 2011
Jordi Torralbas-Ortega1, Joaquim Puntí-Vidal, María Victoria Valls-Ibáñez
1Hospital de Día de Adolescentes, Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Institut Universitari Parc Taulí-UAB, Sabadell, Barcelona, España. hdatauli@live.com
Insights
Swallowing phobia, a childhood eating disorder, is increasingly seen in children and adolescents. Early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach involving nurses and families are crucial for effective treatment and improved outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Gastroenterology
- Child Psychiatry
Context:
- Eating disorders are prevalent in childhood.
- Swallowing phobia (fear of choking) is a specific phobia with increasing incidence in children and adolescents.
- This disorder is often underestimated due to perceived low prevalence.
Purpose:
- To assess and outline the necessary care for treating swallowing phobia in children and adolescents.
- To highlight the importance of a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach.
- To emphasize the role of nurses in managing this psychological disorder.
Summary:
- Analysis of four pediatric cases treated in a day hospital setting for swallowing phobia.
- Key elements of successful treatment include Day Unit admission, adherence to treatment plans, and strong family-patient links.
- Family involvement and motivation are vital for therapeutic change.
Impact:
- Recommends including swallowing phobia in the differential diagnosis of pediatric eating disorders.
- Stresses the need for community worker awareness to facilitate early and adequate treatment.
- Aims to improve therapeutic outcomes through timely intervention and comprehensive care.
Abstract:
Eating disorders are a common problem in childhood. Swallowing phobia is characterised by fear of choking on having consumed food, liquids or tablets. Although they are considered a minor disorder and have low prevalence, there has been an increase in its incidence in children and adolescents in the past few years. The analysis of four cases treated in our day hospital for this specific phobia provides an assessment and the care necessary for its treatment and solution, in collaboration with other professionals and the family. The importance of the role that nurses have in the treatment of this psychological disorder is emphasised, as well admission to Day Units, the correct application of the treatment plan, the establishment of robust and reliable links with the family and the patient, and the motivation for therapeutic change by the whole family. It is essential to include the disorder in the differential diagnosis of eating disorders in children, as well as knowledge of this by community workers, in order to establish adequate early treatment to improve therapeutic outcomes.
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Assessment
