Fear of Food
Sometimes mistaken for an eating disorder, cibophobia is actually the fear of food. Those with eating disorders generally draw a link between eating and body image, while people with cibophobia fear the food itself. Cibophobia typically falls into patterns. Some people are afraid of highly perishable foods such as mayonnaise. Others worry about underdone meat or items that are nearing their expiration dates. Some people with cibophobia are afraid to cook, while some refuse to eat food cooked by others. Coping with cibophobia can be challenging. Studying recipes, familiarizing yourself with a wide range of foods and cooking techniques, and gradually expanding your horizons may help with mild fears. More serious symptoms might require the assistance of a mental health professional.
Fear of Cooking
Mageirocophobia, or the fear of cooking, falls into numerous subtypes. You might worry about the social repercussions of presentation or food quality. Maybe you obsess about undercooking or overcooking the food. Or perhaps you are afraid of the cooking process, injuring yourself in the kitchen, or having trouble following a recipe. Coping strategies for the fear of cooking depends on the severity and the exact fear that you have. In many cases, giving yourself extra time, serving only familiar recipes to guests and enlisting the help of family members can go a long way toward easing anxiety. If you are unable to ease your own fears, seeking the help of a cooking teacher or mental health professional may be necessary.
Fear of New Foods
Especially common in kids, food neophobia occasionally turns into a lifelong fear of trying new foods. Many sufferers have trouble only with certain categories of food, such as sushi or organ meats like liver, or food with particular textures. Others are afraid to try any new food at all. Food neophobia is related to neophobia, or the fear of new things, as well as the fear of the unknown. One study found that neophobia can lead to poor diets and increase a person’s risk of developing such chronic diseases as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Fear of Vomiting
The fear of vomiting, or emetophobia, can cause wildly restricted eating patterns. You may worry that a particular food is undercooked or spoiled. You might refuse to eat things that you perceive as stomach-upsetting, such as spicy dishes or raw vegetables. Some people refuse to eat at all when they are out in public or do not have easy access to a restroom. The fear of vomiting may be linked to the fear of losing control; in extreme cases, it could eventually lead to agoraphobia.
