Do other people’s feet disgust you? You can’t touch them? Worse, see yours? You may be podophobic. Explanations from our psychologist to find out where this phobia comes from and how to overcome it.
The scientific name for foot phobia is podophobia.
There are many types of phobias, that is, panicky fears facing the object of one’s anxiety, and that of feet is one of them. The person with foot phobia can trigger excessive anxiety reactions (excessive sweating, increased heart rate, dizziness, etc.) at the mere sight of a toe, whether it belongs to the person concerned or to another individual. This irrational fear can cause avoidance situations.
What is the cause or origin of a foot phobia?
Foot phobia often begins in adolescence or early adulthoodperiod during which the feet are associated with something “dirty”, ugly“. In other words, some people may feel disgust at the sight, or even touch, of feet.
Afraid of your own or the feet of others?
“Foot phobia can concern one’s own feet or the feet of any other person around them (spouse, children, strangers). The strong peculiarity of this phobia is that it is impossible to get rid of one’s own feet. It is therefore very important to support the patient in reducing the degree of disgust, rejection or fear.“, comments Carine Grzesiak, psychologist.
What are the solutions to overcome a foot phobia?
As with any phobia, the main therapeutic tool in cases of podophobia is cognitive and behavioral therapy (TCC) with an exposure protocol. “Hypnosis is also a tool that can be effective“to understand the origin of this phobia and find solutions.”It allows the patient to dissociate from his phobia, he can thus regain suppleness and flexibility in his daily life. Finally, Ritmo and EMDRtrauma management tools can also be used depending on the origin of the phobia“, adds the psychologist.
Thanks to Carine Grzesiak, psychologist.