(I'm not a specialist.. I have just dealt with cibophobia for many, many years)
For those of you who don't know what Cibophobia is..
Here is some information from (http://phobias.about.com/od/phobiaslist/a/cibophobia.htm) .. You can scroll down past the Blue writing if you wish to skip this bit.
Cibophobia, or fear of food, is a relatively complicated phobia that can rapidly spiral into an obsession. People with this phobia are sometimes mistakenly thought to suffer from anorexia, a dangerous eating disorder. The main difference is that those with anorexia fear the effects of food on body image, while those with cibophobia are actually afraid of the food itself.
Many signs of cibophobia are difficult to recognize, particularly in today’s health-obsessed society. If you are cibophobic, you probably avoid certain foods altogether, perceiving them to present above-average risks. Highly perishable foods such as mayonnaise and milk are common objects of fear.
Most people with cibophobia are extremely concerned with expiration dates. You might find yourself carefully sniffing products that are approaching their expiration dates, and refuse to eat anything whose date has passed by even a few hours. Even products with far-off expiration dates might be seen as suspect once they have been opened.
You may be quite concerned with the doneness of cooked foods, overcooking to the point of burning or drying. This may be particularly true for foods that you see as dangerous, such as chicken or pork.
Many people with cibophobia develop rules for eating behaviors. These rules vary from person to person, but often focus on restaurant meals, where the food’s preparation is outside of your control. You might avoid certain restaurants or individual dishes, refuse to eat seafood away from the coast or throw out leftovers after 24 hours.
Complications of Cibophobia
Untreated cibophobia often worsens, causing increasingly obsessive behaviors. Over time, you might severely restrict your diet, jeopardizing your health. You may choose to go hungry rather than eat things that you deem questionable, leading to weakness, dizziness and irritability.
The social stigma of cibophobia can be devastating as well. Humans are extremely conscious of unusual behaviors, making it difficult to hide increasingly restricted eating patterns. Your friends and relatives might suspect an eating disorder. You may feel uncomfortable in social situations such as holiday gatherings, where it would be rude not to accept food.
For as long as I can remember I have always suffered with cibophobia.
As a child I wouldn't eat all meat (I still don't to this day).
If I was to create a food diary It would look something like this..
Breakfast - Cereal (Rice Krispies, Cornflakes, Fosties) <- Typical children's cereal
Snack - Walkers Ready Salted Crisps/Cheese Snaps/Ready Salted Hula Hoops
Lunch - Bread and butter with some crisps
Snack - Chocolate! (I've always been a big lover of chocolate)
Tea - Potato Waffles, Fish Fingers, Beans/Spaghetti, Potato Shapes & Bread and butter
Snack - Toast
^ That being my food diary at about the age of 4+
I'm Now nearly 22 and my food diary looks a bit like this
Breakfast - Beans on toast
Lunch - Beans on toast or chips
Snack - Toast
Tea - Potato Waffles, Fish Fingers, Beans/Spaghetti, Potato Shapes & Bread and butter
Snack - Chocolate
So really its not changed much.. I stopped eating cereal in the breakfast although If I feel like it I will have cereal as a snack just not often. I started eating beans on toast more. My meal at tea time hasn't changed at all! & I still Love chocolate.
If you scan through the piece of information in blue..
You will see that it says..
Most people with cibophobia are extremely concerned with expiration dates. You might find yourself carefully sniffing products that are approaching their expiration dates, and refuse to eat anything whose date has passed by even a few hours. Even products with far-off expiration dates might be seen as suspect once they have been opened.
I don't eat food that Is out of date.. I will not eat food that goes out of date tomorrow.. So for example if a loaf of bread goes out of date on the 04/04/2014 I will not eat it, on the 04/04/2014 .. 03/04/14 Is ok but not on the actual day it goes out of date.
FAQs and things that I've had said to me..
You have to eat meat to keep you going! ...
No I don't.
Your not healthy..
Yes I am & yes ive seen specialists, ive seen dietitians
I'm getting everything I need.
How do you go out for meals?
I typically don't.. If I do I go to places where I know there will be side orders that I like.
(at one point I couldn't eat anywhere but home & I had to supervise If It wasn't me or a close family member cooking.. So I have got better)
Your attention seeking
I wish I Was!!! Then I would have been able to stop being so afraid a long time ago and would of been able to do all those things I missed out on..
School dinners, Pizza with friends, Italian restaurants, ordering Chinese
I'm skinny and at times im underweight.. I Have to keep an eye on my weight as I don't eat a lot and I love walking plus i come from a family with high metabolism.
So on top of my fear im naturally skinny. But i'm healthy & I'm happy
& with the help of my boyfriend I am slowly over coming my fear.
It took me 10 years just to get the courage to try Pizza (which i don't like) but I did it.
If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask.
