Obesophobia, also known as pocrescophobia, is a fear of gaining weight, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Many people are concerned about their weight and frequently go on diets. Obesophobia, on the other hand, causes people to go to extremes, such as undereating, starving, over-exercising, or avoiding food-related activities. They may be afraid of gaining weight even if they are underweight or malnourished. Obesophobia, like all phobias, is a type of anxiety disorder, according to Kirsten Nunez. Phobias are irrational fears of a specific object, location, or situation. You might go to great lengths to avoid gaining weight if you're afraid of it. This may increase your risk of developing an eating disorder or indicate that you already have one.
To begin, what exactly is a phobia? According to Yvette Brazier, the term 'phobia' is frequently used to refer to a fear of a specific trigger. However, the American Psychiatric Association recognizes three types of phobia (APA). Specific phobia, social phobia, and agoraphobia are examples of phobias. A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder in which a person has an extreme, irrational fear of a situation, living creature, place, or object. When someone has a phobia, they will frequently shape their lives to avoid situations that they perceive to be dangerous. The perceived threat outweighs any actual threat posed by the terror source. Phobias are treatable mental illnesses.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, many people obsess over their weight and appear to be on a diet all of the time. That isn't always Obesophobia. Obesophobia causes people to go to extremes to avoid gaining or losing weight. They may bring their own food everywhere so they can control what they eat, criticize themselves excessively, eat very small portions of food, exercise excessively, avoid eating-related activities, and spend a significant amount of time and money on attempts to look, feel, or be thinner, including surgeries. Moreover, the Cleveland Clinic states that people who suffer from Obesophobia may become underweight or malnourished. However, the fear of gaining weight keeps them focused on the possibility of gaining weight. Obesophobia affects people who are aware that their fear is irrational but unable to control it. Obesophobia can lead to body dysmorphic disorder, depression, eating disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, among other mental health issues.
If Obesophobia is affecting your daily life, Kirsten Nunez recommends speaking with a medical professional. If you have intense anxiety when thinking about weight gain, obsession with weight loss, frequent dieting, avoiding social activities with food, or a negative body image, see a doctor. If you're restricting food intake, obsessively counting calories, exercising excessively, or vomiting on purpose, see a doctor. These signs and symptoms could point to an eating disorder as a result of Obesophobia. How is Obesophobia diagnosed? A psychological evaluation will be performed to determine if you have Obesophobia. They may also inquire about your symptoms, assess your eating habits, and investigate your medical, psychiatric, and social histories. If they believe you have an eating disorder or are at risk, they will almost certainly recommend treatment. Obesophobia is usually treated with the help of mental health professional. The goal is to reduce your risk of developing an eating disorder by managing your fear of weight gain. If you have Obesophobia as part of an eating disorder, treatment will likely be similar.
Obesophobia can cause severe anxiety symptoms and lead to other anxiety or eating disorders, so it's crucial to discuss treatment options with a healthcare provider. If you suffer from Obesophobia, you may try to avoid gaining weight by engaging in unhealthy behaviors. Excessive exercise, food restriction, or frequent dieting are examples of this. Even though Obesophobia is linked to eating disorders, it's critical to seek medical help if you suspect you have it.
PNFP Marie-Claire Gaas, RND
References:
- Obesophobia: Fear of Gaining Weight
Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD — Written by Kirsten Nunez on February 18, 2020
https://www.healthline.com/health/obesophobia
- Obesophobia (Fear of Gaining Weight)
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22575-obesophobia-fear-of-gaining-weight#:~:text=Obesophobia%2C%20or%20pocrescophobia%2C%20is%20an,or%20avoiding%20activities%20involving%20food.
- Everything you need to know about phobias
Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD — Written by Yvette Brazier — Updated on November 26, 2020
