What Is Cibophobia (Food Phobia)?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsDiagnosisCausesComplicationsTreatmentCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Causes

Complications

Treatment

Coping

Cibophobia is afear of food. It is considered aspecific phobia, which is a type of anxiety disorder. People with this phobia are sometimes mistakenly thought to haveanorexia, an eating disorder.

While those with anorexia fear the effects of food onbody image, those with cibophobia are afraid of the food itself. However, people can experience both disorders at the same time.

At a GlanceCibophobia causes people to experience extreme fear around foods, which can have a serious effect on a person’s nutrition and health. To be diagnosed with this condition, it is important to rule out other possible causes, including anorexia and other mental health conditions. Like other phobias, food phobia can be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy. Medications may also sometimes be prescribed to help people manage their feelings of anxiety.

At a Glance

Cibophobia causes people to experience extreme fear around foods, which can have a serious effect on a person’s nutrition and health. To be diagnosed with this condition, it is important to rule out other possible causes, including anorexia and other mental health conditions. Like other phobias, food phobia can be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy. Medications may also sometimes be prescribed to help people manage their feelings of anxiety.

Symptoms of Cibophobia

If you have cibophobia, you experience extremeanxietyaround your trigger foods. Symptoms of anxiety include:

You may fear one specific food or many foods at a time. You might have an above-average fear of illness or choking as a result of eating a particular food. Or, you may associate the food with an unpleasant or traumatic experience.

It may be difficult to recognize cibophobia, particularly if someone is avoiding certain foods for a reason other than fear (such as a diet or lifestyle choice).

While panic attacks generally subside on their own, they can often feel life-threatening, causing symptoms likefear of losing controlorfear of dying.

If you or a loved one are struggling with panic attacks, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with panic attacks, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

How Is Cibophobia Diagnosed?

The fifth edition of the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5-TR) uses the following criteria to diagnose specific phobias:

Food Phobia Disrupts Functioning

Cibophobia disrupts daily life. A person with cibophobia may become especially anxious at their workplace, for instance, where they might encounter someone eating the food they fear.

Food Phobia Leads to Avoidant Behaviors

Cibophobia vs. Eating Disorders

While cibophobia is not an eating disorder, someone can have cibophobia and an eating disorder—such as anorexia,bulimia, ororthorexia—at the same time.

Cibophobia and eating disorders may present similarly. Both conditions cause an extreme level of anxiety around food and avoidant behaviors.

A person with cibophobia, however, fears the food itself and not the effect the food has on their body image (such as weight gain).

If you have cibophobia, you know that your fear response and avoidant behaviors are irrational. You are aware that the food you fear will not cause you any real harm, but you are unable to overcome the fear.

What Causes Cibophobia?

The exact cause of cibophobia is unknown. However, experts have divided specific phobias into two categories: experiential-specific phobias and nonexperiential-specific phobias.

Experiential-Specific Food Phobia

With experiential-specific phobias, someone fears something because of atraumatic experience. Someone with cibophobia might have been forced to eat a certain food or they became ill after eating the food that they now fear.

They may have also been conditioned to dislike a particular food. For example, a parent might have instilled in them a fear of mushrooms.

Foods that might play a part in the experiential development of cibophobia include:

Someone with cibophobia may associate the food they fear with an unpleasant experience or memory. Or they may fear that the food has been contaminated or gone bad, which might contribute to sickness.

Nonexperiential Food Phobia

With nonexperiential cibophobia, a person hasn’t had any traumatic contact with the food they fear. In this case, experts believe a phobia can develop as a result of genetics and brain chemistry. In other words, biology makes certain people more susceptible to developing a phobia.

Specific phobias are likely to co-exist with other anxiety disorders, such as:

A fear of food might begin with discomfort related to the food’s texture or to expired or undercooked foods. Some common foods that people with cibophobia fear include broccoli, mushrooms, cottage cheese, and pickles.

What begins as a simple dislike of food in conjunction with other untreated mental health conditions may create a phobia over time, leading to increased fear and disruption of daily life.

Complications of Food Phobia

Studies show that untreated phobias may worsen over time.If you don’t address the symptoms of your cibophobia, you may find it difficult to maintain socialrelationships, show up to work, or perform tasks like grocery shopping. Your avoidant behaviors may become more extreme.

Over time, you may begin to fear more types of food. You might even severely restrict your diet, which can jeopardize your health. You may choose to go hungry rather than eat things that you associate with your fear.

Thesocial stigmaof cibophobia can be challenging as well. You may find it difficult to hide your increasingly restricted eating patterns. Your friends and relatives might suspect aneating disorder.

You may find it difficult or even impossible to explain your phobia to others. This can contribute tosocial withdrawal, causing you to become more socially isolated. This can lead toloneliness, anxiety, and evendepression.

Treatment for Cibophobia

It is very important to seek treatment for cibophobia from a qualifiedmental health professional. The most common treatment type for specific phobias is a combination ofpsychotherapyand medication.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is the first-line treatment for specific phobias. Some that may be effective include:

Remember, you are the expert when it comes to your phobia. If gradual exposure to the food you fear doesn’t feel comfortable, be sure to talk to your therapist, who can adjust your treatment.

Medication

Your doctor can tell you whichmedicationsmay be right for you.Antidepressants, beta-blockers, andbenzodiazepines(such asXanax) are sometimes prescribed to people with specific phobias.

Medications like these may be able to treat the symptoms of anxiety associated with your phobia. Your doctor might prescribe something for a limited amount of time and have you taper off medication as your anxiety reduces to a manageable level.

Of course, be sure to communicate with your doctor if you have pre-existing health conditions or you’re taking other medications that may be contraindicated with a prescription. In addition, tell your doctor if you havesubstance use disorder, particularly with benzodiazepines as they have the potential foraddiction.

Coping With Cibophobia

In addition to therapy and medication, there are lifestyle changes that have been proven to relieve symptoms of anxiety. Developing ameditation practice, for instance, has been shown to promote stress relief andrelaxation.

Breathing exercisesare also effective in decreasing symptoms of arousal,anger, anxiety, and depression.Breathing in a controlled and conscious manner can help to regulate your central nervous system and ease the stress-inducing symptoms of your phobia.

Fulfilling your basic needs, such as gettingenough sleep,physical exercise, and eating anutritious dietare all helpful ways of managing symptoms of anxiety.

Coping with a phobia or other mental health conditions can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. You can confide in loved ones if you feel comfortable. Research also suggests that attending support groups for specific mental health conditions can be therapeutic.

What This Means For YouThere are many contributing factors to cibophobia, but know there are treatment options that can relieve your symptoms. If you find your cibophobia is disruptive to your daily life, especially if it is keeping you from eating and receiving proper nutrition, be sure to contact a healthcare professional right away.

What This Means For You

There are many contributing factors to cibophobia, but know there are treatment options that can relieve your symptoms. If you find your cibophobia is disruptive to your daily life, especially if it is keeping you from eating and receiving proper nutrition, be sure to contact a healthcare professional right away.

16 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.Garcia R.Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias.Learn Mem. 2017;24(9):462-471. doi:10.1101/lm.044115.116National Health Service.Symptoms - Phobias.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Table 3.11, DSM-IV to DSM-5 specific phobia comparison. In:Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. 2016.Legenbauer T, Martin F, Blaschke A, et al.Two sides of the same coin? A new instrument to assess body checking and avoidance behaviors in eating disorders.Body Image.2017;21:39-46. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.02.004Ollendick TH, Ost LG, Reuterskiöld L, Costa N.Comorbidity in youth with specific phobias: Impact of comorbidity on treatment outcome and the impact of treatment on comorbid disorders.Behav Res Ther. 2010;48(9):827-831. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2010.05.024Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-XHofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A.The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses.Cognit Ther Res. 2012;36(5):427-440. doi:10.1007%2Fs10608-012-9476-1Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Understand the facts: Specific phobias treatment.Thng CEW, Lim-Ashworth NSJ, Poh BZQ, Lim CG.Recent developments in the intervention of specific phobia among adults: a rapid review.F1000Res. 2020;9(1). doi:10.12688/f1000research.20082.1Hasbi M, Effendy E.Hypnotherapy: A case of anxiety person who doesn’t want to use medication.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2019;7(16):2698-2700. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2019.820American Psychiatric Association.What are anxiety disorders?Goyal M, Singh S, Sibinga EMS, et al.Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being.JAMA Intern Med.2014;174(3):357. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018Zaccaro A, Piarulli A, Laurino M, et al.How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing.Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 2018;12. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353Pilkington K, Wieland LS.Self-care for anxiety and depression: a comparison of evidence from Cochrane reviews and practice to inform decision-making and priority-setting.BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020;20(1):247. doi:10.1186/s12906-020-03038-8Worrall H, Schweizer R, Marks E, Yuan L, Lloyd C, Ramjan R.The effectiveness of support groups: A literature review.Mental Health and Social Inclusion. 2018;22 (2): 85-93.

16 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.Garcia R.Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias.Learn Mem. 2017;24(9):462-471. doi:10.1101/lm.044115.116National Health Service.Symptoms - Phobias.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Table 3.11, DSM-IV to DSM-5 specific phobia comparison. In:Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. 2016.Legenbauer T, Martin F, Blaschke A, et al.Two sides of the same coin? A new instrument to assess body checking and avoidance behaviors in eating disorders.Body Image.2017;21:39-46. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.02.004Ollendick TH, Ost LG, Reuterskiöld L, Costa N.Comorbidity in youth with specific phobias: Impact of comorbidity on treatment outcome and the impact of treatment on comorbid disorders.Behav Res Ther. 2010;48(9):827-831. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2010.05.024Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-XHofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A.The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses.Cognit Ther Res. 2012;36(5):427-440. doi:10.1007%2Fs10608-012-9476-1Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Understand the facts: Specific phobias treatment.Thng CEW, Lim-Ashworth NSJ, Poh BZQ, Lim CG.Recent developments in the intervention of specific phobia among adults: a rapid review.F1000Res. 2020;9(1). doi:10.12688/f1000research.20082.1Hasbi M, Effendy E.Hypnotherapy: A case of anxiety person who doesn’t want to use medication.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2019;7(16):2698-2700. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2019.820American Psychiatric Association.What are anxiety disorders?Goyal M, Singh S, Sibinga EMS, et al.Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being.JAMA Intern Med.2014;174(3):357. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018Zaccaro A, Piarulli A, Laurino M, et al.How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing.Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 2018;12. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353Pilkington K, Wieland LS.Self-care for anxiety and depression: a comparison of evidence from Cochrane reviews and practice to inform decision-making and priority-setting.BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020;20(1):247. doi:10.1186/s12906-020-03038-8Worrall H, Schweizer R, Marks E, Yuan L, Lloyd C, Ramjan R.The effectiveness of support groups: A literature review.Mental Health and Social Inclusion. 2018;22 (2): 85-93.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.Garcia R.Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias.Learn Mem. 2017;24(9):462-471. doi:10.1101/lm.044115.116National Health Service.Symptoms - Phobias.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Table 3.11, DSM-IV to DSM-5 specific phobia comparison. In:Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. 2016.Legenbauer T, Martin F, Blaschke A, et al.Two sides of the same coin? A new instrument to assess body checking and avoidance behaviors in eating disorders.Body Image.2017;21:39-46. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.02.004Ollendick TH, Ost LG, Reuterskiöld L, Costa N.Comorbidity in youth with specific phobias: Impact of comorbidity on treatment outcome and the impact of treatment on comorbid disorders.Behav Res Ther. 2010;48(9):827-831. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2010.05.024Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-XHofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A.The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses.Cognit Ther Res. 2012;36(5):427-440. doi:10.1007%2Fs10608-012-9476-1Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Understand the facts: Specific phobias treatment.Thng CEW, Lim-Ashworth NSJ, Poh BZQ, Lim CG.Recent developments in the intervention of specific phobia among adults: a rapid review.F1000Res. 2020;9(1). doi:10.12688/f1000research.20082.1Hasbi M, Effendy E.Hypnotherapy: A case of anxiety person who doesn’t want to use medication.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2019;7(16):2698-2700. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2019.820American Psychiatric Association.What are anxiety disorders?Goyal M, Singh S, Sibinga EMS, et al.Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being.JAMA Intern Med.2014;174(3):357. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018Zaccaro A, Piarulli A, Laurino M, et al.How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing.Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 2018;12. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353Pilkington K, Wieland LS.Self-care for anxiety and depression: a comparison of evidence from Cochrane reviews and practice to inform decision-making and priority-setting.BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020;20(1):247. doi:10.1186/s12906-020-03038-8Worrall H, Schweizer R, Marks E, Yuan L, Lloyd C, Ramjan R.The effectiveness of support groups: A literature review.Mental Health and Social Inclusion. 2018;22 (2): 85-93.

National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.

Garcia R.Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias.Learn Mem. 2017;24(9):462-471. doi:10.1101/lm.044115.116

National Health Service.Symptoms - Phobias.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Table 3.11, DSM-IV to DSM-5 specific phobia comparison. In:Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. 2016.

Legenbauer T, Martin F, Blaschke A, et al.Two sides of the same coin? A new instrument to assess body checking and avoidance behaviors in eating disorders.Body Image.2017;21:39-46. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.02.004

Ollendick TH, Ost LG, Reuterskiöld L, Costa N.Comorbidity in youth with specific phobias: Impact of comorbidity on treatment outcome and the impact of treatment on comorbid disorders.Behav Res Ther. 2010;48(9):827-831. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2010.05.024

Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-X

Hofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A.The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses.Cognit Ther Res. 2012;36(5):427-440. doi:10.1007%2Fs10608-012-9476-1

Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Understand the facts: Specific phobias treatment.

Thng CEW, Lim-Ashworth NSJ, Poh BZQ, Lim CG.Recent developments in the intervention of specific phobia among adults: a rapid review.F1000Res. 2020;9(1). doi:10.12688/f1000research.20082.1

Hasbi M, Effendy E.Hypnotherapy: A case of anxiety person who doesn’t want to use medication.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2019;7(16):2698-2700. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2019.820

American Psychiatric Association.What are anxiety disorders?

Goyal M, Singh S, Sibinga EMS, et al.Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being.JAMA Intern Med.2014;174(3):357. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018

Zaccaro A, Piarulli A, Laurino M, et al.How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing.Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 2018;12. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353

Pilkington K, Wieland LS.Self-care for anxiety and depression: a comparison of evidence from Cochrane reviews and practice to inform decision-making and priority-setting.BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020;20(1):247. doi:10.1186/s12906-020-03038-8

Worrall H, Schweizer R, Marks E, Yuan L, Lloyd C, Ramjan R.The effectiveness of support groups: A literature review.Mental Health and Social Inclusion. 2018;22 (2): 85-93.

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