Food Phobia

Food phobia is often listed as an eating problem in children. It is a condition in which people experience a strong, persistent fear of specific items or situations. Exposure to phobic objects or situations results in a marked fear or anxiety response ,despite the response being recognised as unreasonable or irrational. Phobic stimuli are often avoided.

Where the phobia is related to food – Sitophobia - or the process of eating, the fear and avoidance of eating can show symptoms similar to an eating disorder. There are a number of Specific Phobias that can fall into this category.

• Sitophobia or Cibophobia - fear of food
• Phagophobia - fear of swallowing
• Dipsophobia - fear of drinking
• Geumatophobia - fear of taste