Before addressing the question of how to cure mental dysphagia, it is crucial to first clearly recognize and understand these complaints. The first and most important step is to consult a doctor. This is necessary to ensure that there are no physical causes, such as problems in the throat or pharynx, that could hinder swallowing. Only when physical causes have been ruled out can psychological swallowing difficulties be assumed.
If psychological swallowing difficulties are actually present, it is important to understand their origin. These complaints are often caused by massive overload and intense stress. In such situations, people come under so much pressure that their natural swallowing is blocked. This blockage is comparable to stress-related tics, such as uncontrolled eye movements or facial twitching. The phenomenon therefore occurs as a reaction of the body and mind to deal with the overwhelming stress.
Interestingly, it is precisely at this moment that the body tries to reduce the stress. The occurrence of psychological swallowing difficulties is therefore a desperate attempt by the entire system - body, soul and emotions - to cope with the excessive demands. Although this mechanism is not successful, it explains why this swallowing phenomenon occurs in the first place.
By understanding the causes, the path to healing can be taken more effectively.
Does control play a role in mental swallowing difficulties or tics in general?
The causes of mental swallowing difficulties and tics are extremely individual and often very complex. It is precisely this complexity that makes it difficult to cure these phenomena, as they are deeply rooted in the personal life situation and psyche. Nevertheless, there are some patterns that are frequently observed.
People can develop psychological swallowing difficulties or tics for various reasons. These include anxiety, severe stress, a lack of self-esteem or a lack of support. These factors can cause a weakening of the entire system, making those affected more susceptible to such reactions.
Another common trigger is the desire for control. Some people develop mental swallowing difficulties because they try to keep everything under control. If this attempt fails, a form of overwhelm arises, which can manifest itself in swallowing difficulties. It can also affect people who have difficulty setting boundaries, standing up for themselves or actively dealing with stressful situations. Here too, excessive demands lead to these psychological symptoms.
In my experience, these complaints are almost always linked to excessive demands. They serve as a mechanism to relieve stress or avoid worse effects. However, the causes can be very different, and it is important to look at them individually to find the right approach to healing.
Can trauma processing heal psychological swallowing difficulties?
If the cause of psychological swallowing difficulties lies in a trauma, processing this trauma can make a decisive contribution to healing the symptoms. If the stress trigger lies directly in a traumatic experience, then it makes sense to specifically address the underlying trauma. By healing the traumatic effects, the psychological swallowing difficulties usually disappear step by step.
However, it is a mistake to believe that such complaints are always due to trauma. Often it is also an accumulation of excessive demands. If various stresses accumulate and the stress level rises extremely, psychological swallowing difficulties can also occur. In such cases, it is not a single trauma, but the sum of excessive demands that triggers these complaints.
Whether trauma or excessive demands - recognizing the exact cause is the key to successfully healing psychological swallowing difficulties. This is the only way to choose the right approach to alleviate the symptoms in the long term.
How do emotions such as sadness or fear affect the esophagus?
The effects of emotions such as sadness or fear on the oesophagus vary greatly from person to person. It largely depends on how our nervous system reacts to stress. Some people allow pressure to flow outwards, while others hold it in internally. Still others can process pressure effectively and thus prevent possible physical complaints.
However, if someone is unable to process pressure and instead lets it flow into them, this can lead to a heightened perception of certain areas of the body. This could be the stomach, the intestines - or the oesophagus and the area around the larynx. In such cases, the internal pressure is increasingly perceived, and attention is more and more directed towards this area.
An example: If you start to consciously observe your own swallowing, this can make it feel unnatural. The more you pay attention to it, the stronger this feeling becomes - and in some cases it can lead to psychological swallowing difficulties. This overstraining of the system shows how closely emotions such as fear or sadness are linked to physical sensations and how important it is to consciously perceive and process such feelings.
Which breathing techniques help to heal mental swallowing disorders?
Breathing techniques can be a helpful method to alleviate mental dysphagia, but they are not equally effective for everyone. In my experience, people with such symptoms tend to breathe predominantly into the chest rather than the abdomen. Chest breathing, also called diaphragmatic breathing, is often associated with stress, overload and even hyperventilation, which can exacerbate the symptoms.
A key approach is to consciously learn abdominal breathing. This form of breathing helps to reduce stress and direct awareness to the abdomen, away from stressful situations. By breathing deeply into the abdomen, feeling the area and consciously controlling the breathing, stress is gradually reduced. At the same time, abdominal breathing helps to stabilize your inner balance.
In contrast, chest breathing tends to create additional stress, while abdominal breathing has a calming effect and relieves the nervous system. Relaxing, non-activating abdominal breathing techniques can therefore be a great support in the treatment of mental swallowing disorders - and in some cases even contribute to healing. However, it is important to note that this process takes time. The focus should be on continuously reducing stress and building up inner stability.
How can techniques be used to relax the swallowing reflex?
Care should be taken when using techniques to relax the swallowing reflex, as focusing too much on swallowing can make the problem worse. It is important to observe exactly how the body reacts to these exercises. If the mental swallowing problem is significantly worsened by these techniques, it is advisable to stop them immediately. If the symptoms only worsen slightly and the worsening is not permanent, the exercises should be continued. However, noticeable improvements should occur after two to three weeks at the latest.
The choice of the right technique is very individual. What helps one person with mental swallowing problems may not necessarily be as effective for another. For some people, techniques that directly address the swallowing process may be helpful, while others may benefit from distraction. Distraction can make you behave more naturally and allow the autonomic nervous system to take back control of the swallowing reflex.
In the case of mental swallowing problems, the autonomic nervous system is often out of balance, which disrupts the natural swallowing reflex. Exercises that indirectly support this system - whether by calming or gently reactivating it - can help to restore the swallowing reflex to its natural rhythm. The focus should always be on being mindful of your own limits.
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