Food Phobia
Food phobia is often listed as an Eating Problem in Children. It is a condition in which sufferers experience a strong, persistent fear in the presence of, or thought, specific items or situations. Exposure to phobic objects or situations results in a marked fear/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 'eating disorder' like symptoms. 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.