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Obesophobia is the dread of gaining weight, also known as pocrescophobia. It is more common in adolescent females, but men can also have it.
Obesophobia, like all phobias, is a type of anxiety illness. Phobias are excessive and unreasonable fears of a certain thing, place, or scenario.
Talking or thinking about weight increase causes excessive anxiety in people who have obesophobia. You may also feel paralyzed in scenarios connected with weight increase, such as being near a scale.
You may go to great efforts to avoid gaining weight if you are terrified of doing so. This raises your chances of developing an eating disorder, or it could be a symptom that you already have one.
Continue reading to learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for this phobia.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF OBESOPHOBIA?
Obesophobia symptoms include unfavorable emotions while thinking about or discussing weight growth. They may include the following:
- A strong, overwhelming fear
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Anxiety attacks
- Hypertension
- Dizziness
You may also have these feelings if you are gaining weight or are in situations that you connect with weight increase, such as social gatherings with food.
Obesophobia may also cause you to avoid gaining weight by doing things like:
- Fasting
- Counting calories excessively
- Excessive exercise
- Dieting frequently
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF OBESOPHOBIA?
Obesophobia lacks a definite cause. It's most likely due to a combination of variables, including:
- Weight stigma: The habit of condemning people based on their weight is known as weight stigma. It is an important component of modern Western society, which frequently promotes thinness.
Other environmental variables, like as parental expectations or peer pressure, may also contribute to weight stigma in some people.
Weight stigma discriminates against people who are overweight or obese. As a result, some people may develop a dread of gaining weight as a result.
- Personal encounters: Obesophobia may be a result of your personal experiences. You may associate weight increase with unfavorable judgment if you've been teased about your weight or attractiveness. This may cause you to be concerned about gaining weight.
- Perfectionism: Weight gain is perceived as a defect in a culture that idealizes thinness. This can lead to obesophobia, especially in people who have a high drive for perfection.
Perfectionism, like weight sigma, may be tied to peer and familial pressure. Some people may be genetically predisposed to perfectionism.
- Anxiety disorders: Obesophobia may be exacerbated by other types of anxiety disorders.
Obesophobia, for example, may result from social anxiety disorder, which entails a fear of social rejection. Because of society's attitude toward weight gain, you may be afraid of gaining weight.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS AND COMPLICATIONS OF OBESOPHOBIA?
Obesophobia is characterized by an abnormal concern with body weight and eating. This raises the likelihood of developing an eating disorder, a hazardous condition defined by risky eating practices.
Obesophobia is present in some types of eating disorders. Among them are:
Anorexia Nervosa
People suffering from anorexia nervosa are terrified of gaining weight. They may also believe they are overweight even if they are actually underweight.
Common symptoms, in addition to obesophobia, include:
- extreme slenderness
- body image distortion
- obsession with physical appearance and body weight
- food intake is severely restricted
- excessive exercising
- the use of laxatives or diuretics
- vomiting under duress
However, anorexia nervosa is more than just a weight or dietary issue. Extreme diets and weight loss are approaches for people with this illness to deal with underlying emotional concerns.
Anorexia nervosa can cause serious consequences such as muscular atrophy and multi-organ failure due to a severe lack of calories.
Purging disorder
Obesophobia can result in purging disorder, which is defined as purging without bingeing. Purging episodes, which are recurring, may include:
- forceful vomiting
- excessive physical activity
- the use of laxatives or diuretics
- fasting
These habits are frequently used to control body weight and form.
Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes of bingeing and purging. Binge eating is defined as eating a large amount of food in a short period of time, generally without control. Purging is the act of expelling excess calories by one or more harmful habits, such as:
- forceful vomiting
- excessive physical activity
- the use of laxatives or diuretics
- fasting
Obesophobia is associated with certain behaviors. Other signs of bulimia include:
- strong disapproval of one's physique weight and shape
- erratic mood swings
- keeping food hidden for bingeing
- food anxiety
- avoiding situations involving food
Bulimia can cause a person to be underweight, moderately overweight, or overweight.
WHEN SHOULD YOU CONSULT A DOCTOR?
If obesophobia is interfering with your daily life, you should consult a medical practitioner. Consult a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- extreme worry when thinking about weight increase
- obsession with losing weight
- dieting frequently
- avoiding food-related social activities
- negative self-image
You should also get medical attention if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- limiting food intake
- compulsive calorie counting
- Excessive exercise
- purposeful vomiting
These signs may suggest that obesophobia has resulted in an eating disorder.
HOW IS OBESOPHOBIA DIAGNOSED?
There is no established test for determining fear of weight gain. Obesophobia, as a kind of anxiety disorder, can be diagnosed by a general practitioner or mental health specialist.
A provider will do a psychological evaluation to establish if you have obesophobia. They may also:
- inquire about your symptoms
- examine your dietary habits
- investigate your medical, psychiatric, and social histories
If they suspect you have an eating disorder or are at risk, they will most likely recommend therapy.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR OBESOPHOBIA?
Obesophobia is often addressed by a mental health professional. The goal is to lower your chance of developing an eating disorder by managing your anxiety of weight increase.
If your obesophobia is associated with an eating disorder, treatment may be comparable.
Psychotherapy
In psychotherapy, you speak with a mental health expert over the course of several sessions. They can help you feel less anxious about gaining weight and enhance your body image.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most commonly used approach. This could include:
- identifying warped thought patterns
- modifying harmful beliefs
- forming healthy habits
Medication
Medications are not usually used to treat phobias. If your doctor suspects that your obesophobia is caused by an anxiety issue, they may prescribe anti-anxiety medication.
This could include:
- antidepressants
- antipsychotics
- mood stabilizers
Because anxiety and eating disorders frequently co-occur, if you are diagnosed with an eating problem, you may also be prescribed medication.
CONCLUSION
If you are afraid of gaining weight, you may try to avoid it by engaging in unhealthy practices. This can include extreme exercise, limiting food intake, or regularly dieting.
Because obesophobia is linked to eating disorders, it's critical to get medical attention if you suspect you have it.