Fear of feet, also known as podophobia, is considered a specific phobia. A specific phobia is an intense, irrational fear of something that presents little or no real danger. The fear is often so strong that you will go to great lengths and exert great effort to avoid the fear trigger, even if you realize the fear is out of proportion and irrational.

It is estimated that approximately 12.5% ​​of American adults suffer from a specific phobia at some point in their lives. The phobia can make you feel embarrassed or isolated, but many people – about 19 million Americans – have one or more phobias ranging from mild to severe. You are not alone, and there is help.

This article will discuss fear of feet, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, and offer tips for coping.

Symptoms

People with a specific phobia are extremely fearful of an object or situation that is usually not dangerous or harmful.

Out of fear of the feet, the person may avoid wearing open-toed shoes or sandals, or avoid situations in which people are barefoot or wearing shoes that show their feet. They are aware that their fear has no factual or logical basis, but they cannot ignore it or overcome it.

Other symptoms may include:

• The object almost always causes intense and immediate fear and anxiety.
• A person deliberately and actively avoids the object.
• Phobia interferes with daily life.

Diagnostic

You can ask your primary health care provider for a referral to a mental health professional.

Diagnosis of a specific phobia, such as fear of feet, is made by a trained clinician. Even if what you’re experiencing doesn’t meet all the criteria for a specific phobia, a trained professional can identify aspects of the fear that you can work on. The clinical diagnostic criteria for specific phobias involve:

• Persistent fear is unreasonable or excessive and may even occur when anticipating the feared object or situation.
• Exposure to the feared situation or object causes an immediate anxiety reaction, such as a panic attack.
• The person knows that the fear is excessive.
• Dreaded situations or objects are avoided or manipulated with significant distress or anxiety.
• Avoiding situations or objects significantly interferes with a person’s routine, work, social situations, or lifestyle.
• Persistent fear of the object or situation lasts at least six months.
• The persistent fear cannot be explained by another mental health disorder.

causes

The definitive cause of phobias is not known. It is believed that personality traits, genetics, history of trauma, and past experiences can all contribute to the development of a specific phobia.

For some people, the phobia may result from a past experience in which they learned that something was to be feared and avoided at all costs. This may include seeing someone else avoid and fear the situation or object.

Treatment

The most effective therapies for specific phobia are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. CBT and exposure therapy can also be combined.

CBT points out that psychological problems are partly caused by faulty thought patterns and learned, unhelpful behaviors. These misperceptions and the behaviors associated with them can be changed by reassessing the thought patterns and distortions that cause them. Coping skills can also be assessed and practiced for use in various situations.

Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing someone to their feared object or stimulus until the fear subsides. This is often combined with breathing exercises and relaxation techniques.

Other therapies to help overcome a specific phobia include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), psychoeducation (informing and educating the person about their condition), relaxation and applied muscle tension (a technique to prevent increased blood pressure).

To face

It is not always easy to avoid a feared situation or object, especially an unavoidable object, such as the feet. Living with a phobia or fear can be stressful, but there are ways to manage stress and anxiety.

Stress is often a big part of phobias, and better managing your stress can help promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. Steps you can take include:

• Eat a healthy diet and get enough sleep.
• Practice deep breathing and relaxation techniques.
• Minimize or avoid caffeine or alcohol consumption to help reduce anxiety.
• Stay connected to others for social support.
• See a counselor to talk about your anxieties or concerns and learn coping techniques.

Summary

Phobias are more than just fears. They are more extreme and can cause significant distress. Although it is not known exactly what causes the specific phobia, there is treatment available. Many people with a specific phobia are able to live their lives to the fullest with treatment for their phobia. It’s not easy, but you don’t have to do it alone.

A word from Verywell

It may seem embarrassing to reveal that you have a fear of feet. Mental health professionals have heard it all and don’t judge the people they work with. A phobia or fear of any kind is not cause for embarrassment or shame. It is a mental health disorder that can be treated and managed.

A provider will work with you to eliminate the phobia and develop coping skills to deal with the fear and make it manageable so it doesn’t interfere with your life.