Choking Phobia in an Older Adult: A Telephone-Based CBT Case Study Informed by Gerontology
Abstract
Fear of choking is a relatively understudied phenomenon in older adults, despite the higher incidence of choking to death in this population and the associated mental health burden.
This case report presents the use of a cognitive-behavioral (CBT) approach to treating choking phobia in an older adult in her 80s, with sessions conducted over the telephone during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A reliable change in self-reported avoidance of solid food was observed, although indices of general distress appeared to have remained stable.
By placing a seemingly focal problem (choking phobia) within a comprehensive conceptualization framework using gerontology, we were able to consider additional complexity related to aging-related beliefs and experiences of distress to address therapeutic opportunities and challenges, including the COVID-19 context.
Citations
Alex Lau-Zhu and Rebecca Dow. Choking Phobia in an Older Adult: A Telephone-Based CBT Case Study Informed by Gerontology. GeoPsych
Page last reviewed: 12 June, 2025
Metadata
Author(s): Dow, Rebecca; Lau-Zhu, Alex
Collection: 123456789/30
Subject(s): Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Older People
Format(s): Article
Date issued: 2022-06
ID: 1120