Phobia of watching/hearing other people choke

72% Normal
11 Comments

This phobia started when I was 9 years old. I had a traumatic choking experience where I choked till I almost passed out.

But instead of being afraid of me choking on stuff, I'm afraid of seeing or hearing OTHER people choking on stuff! I feel really anxious when people chew gum or eat mints around me. Nobody is allowed to eat hard candy around me or I will freak out. The last time my sister brought a bag of hard candy around me, I stole it from her and threw it in a ditch. She was furious, but I thought I was doing her a favor by potentially saving her life. I think hard candy should be outlawed.

Whenever a choking scene in a movie, TV show or commercial comes up, it makes me very freaked out and I have to hide and plug my ears until it's over. For example, I really hate the dinner scene in What About Bob when Dr. Marvin chokes on chicken; I can't watch it without wanting to run away.

When my nephew choked on (of all things) a piece of cheese last summer, I screamed like a banshee and dove behind the couch. My mom followed me, because she thought I was going to run out the door and down the street!

I've heard of phobia of choking and phobia of watching other people puke, but I've never heard of a phobia of watching other people choke! Is there anyone else out there who is afraid of this?

Voting Results
72% Normal
Based on 145 votes (104 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 11 )
  • david1228
    14 years ago

    I don't think it's exactly normal, but I have the same fear. The first time I ever ate hard candy, I sort of half-choked on it. The second time, I really did choke. Now I have no problem eating hard candy MYSELF, but I'm terrified watching other people eat them. Its even worse when people talk while eating hard candy. I remeber I was in class one time, and the teacher handed out mints for everyone. And then one girl said something really funny and the entire class burst out laughing. I was hyperventilating. I don't know why it freaks me out, but it does. I'm just glad to know I'm not the only one out there like this.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • Jim_Pfoss
    15 years ago

    Get some training in how to deal with emergency choking situations, then you won't feel so powerless.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
      -
    • glw2006
      14 years ago

      i agree i have this exact same problem -i act as somone would if they were chockin although when i actually choke im fine its just when others choke !!! i cant be in the same room as somone if there coughing or chocking because i just end up crying and i cant breathe or relax its kinda annoying me now !!!gemmz XX

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • 0404
    11 years ago

    Yes. It can be scary to see or hear. When my father past away he was choking. SO I get freaked out it reminds me of the night he past even though it was 5 years ago that he past away I still freak out.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • Hansberger
    13 years ago

    It's not normal. I fear choking but I don't have a phobia of choking, choking gives me a sore throat. Your fear makes sense.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • nickb182
    14 years ago

    oh my gosh we have the same phobia!!! And I think it's a little normal so don't worry and I'm sure alot of people have the same phobia.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • iaredinosaurxx
    14 years ago

    I used to be kind of like that when i was a kid, except the fear was seeing/hearing anything that even mentioned choking. Going to restaurants was a pain for me because i'd always see the signs that were for choking help and i would feel a little sick to my stomach and lose my appetite. I pretty much didn't eat much of anything for two years until one day i just got over it.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • candid
    14 years ago

    I am exactly the same as you, although I don't remember ever choking, but I think I must have in a past life or something. I get extremely distressed by choking too.

    If I am in a restaurant and hear someone at another table coughing I always look and check to see if they are ok. I watch children eating, especially if they're laughing and being silly while they're eating, and when I eat something small and hard I make sure I chew it as soon as it goes into my mouth. I wouldn't even let my bf take an aspirin in the car in case he choked.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • hyacinth
    14 years ago

    well, i don't know if it's normal or not, but it's EXACTLY how i feel. i saw a movie as a child where someone choked to death. (haunting of julia) since then it's become a phobia for me. interestingly enough i already had this phobia prior to an incident with my nephew, when he almost choked on a hard candy. i did the heimlich on him successfully and after that i figured (since i was able to handle the situation) that my phobia would resolve itself. but it hasn't at all.

    i agree about the hard candies! i don't get why they won't sell toys that are choke hazards to people but hard candies are ok???? i just don't get it. just like you, i don't worry about choking myself, b/c i know i am very careful about chewing, cutting small pieces, etc. It's eating around other people (especially meat and chicken) that makes me so uncomfortable! i usually leave the room, until everyone is done eating. then resume hanging out with the group.

    i've never met anyone with this same fear...it's weird.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • tayraaarJay__x
    14 years ago

    THiS SOUNDS HiLARiOUS!!! xD

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -1
    -1
  • huggybear
    14 years ago

    You must be a girl because only girls come up with such inane reasons to freak out.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -1
    -1