Time to talk: Addressing the stigma around dysphagia
2021-07-28
For the dysphagia community, having difficulty with swallowing can have knock-on effects on mental health. Discomfort at mealtimes can have the following impacts:
- Anxiety - if you have difficulty in swallowing or chewing, you may find that you become anxious around mealtimes. You may also feel an increase in anxiety when eating with others or (when circumstances allow) eating out and socialising when you have dysphagia
- Stress - similarly, you may find that the process of eating or preparing food leads to stress, given that you may have difficulty or discomfort in swallowing
- Loneliness - feelings of anxiety and stress around eating may mean you don't feel comfortable eating with others, which in turn may lead to feelings of loneliness
The difficulty with dysphagia is that the link with mental wellbeing runs both ways; not only can swallowing difficulties trigger mental ill-health, but psychological conditions such as stress and anxiety can also contribute to the development or worsening of dysphagia.