Some are terrified at the mere idea of ​​stepping into a plane. The others have a panic attack in front of a spider, a rat or a snake, when some experience a terrible fear in the middle of a crowd, in an enclosed place, or on the top floor of a skyscraper, looking at the ground . Podophobes, for their part, have been the object of their obsession. They do not support their feet, nor those of others, relatives, or strangers encountered in the street. Are there any solutions to get by?

“This phobia is not frequent, but it does exist,” says Pierluigi Graziani, psychotherapist. From ancient greek pubs, for fear, fear or repulsion, a phobia is a disproportionate fear, which is based on a feeling more than on real facts. The arguments have no hold, the person is overwhelmed by his emotions.

“Distressing and unjustified fear of a situation, of an object or of the accomplishment of an action”, this is how the Larousse defines a phobia. They are innumerable. Some, like podophobia, can be ridiculed by those close to the affected person. However, this disorder can lead to very real psychological distress. It is all the less easy to manage since, unlike other phobias where it is easy to keep away from the object of your fears, each person you meet has two.

Foot phobia, like any phobia, can be the result of childhood trauma, or a criticism that has not been digested. “It can also come from the feeling that the feet, in addition to being ugly, are not clean,” adds Pierluigi Graziani.

Complex because his toes are not regular enough for his taste, his feet too long, their smell too pronounced, because they are accompanied by a yeast or a wart, the affected person will try to hide them from all cost. The feet are then seen as an unattractive part of the human body.

Some phobias are cultural, passed down from generation to generation. The phobic will “imitate” what he has always seen his mother, father or siblings do. We can also not stand the feet of others, if we convince ourselves “that they are contaminants”, dirty. “And worse, you can be disgusted and anxious with your own feet,” says Pierluigi Graziani. “We have trouble looking at them, touching them. Sometimes they are dirty and sloppy because of this avoidance. Or, conversely, obsessively cleaned to reduce anxiety due to the idea that they are in contact with the ground and therefore very dirty. “

When some people love to be massaged, for podophobes, the confrontation with the feet can cause an accelerated heart rate, hands that become sweaty, nausea, tremors, the feeling of not being able to breathe, move or even think. Even in front of pretty, well-groomed feet.

The body manifests fear. The phobia is classified as an anxiety disorder, and it is no accident. When the fear becomes too pervasive, “there is avoidance behavior. “If this strategy is easy to implement for certain phobias – someone who is afraid of flying will choose the train instead – it is more complicated for podophobes. Especially in summer, when the feet are revealed in flip-flops and sandals. This season can be a real nightmare for podophobes.

We all have phobias (or almost). However, should we systematically consult?

Calling a therapist is justified when the phobia lasts for more than six months, it causes pain, and it ends up ruining your life. The good news is that a phobia can be cured. Not by drugs. Anxiolytics can help calm down during a stressful episode, but do not cure in the long term. A phobia is the legacy of learning. To get out of it, you have to decondition yourself.

Cognitive and behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy has proven itself in this area. “By gradually exposing the person to their phobia, it significantly reduces anxiety. It’s a gradual desensitization, a bit like with allergies. Initially, the therapist will talk about feet with his patient, before showing him pictures. Then suggest, for example, to go out for an hour in flip-flops in the street, etc. The person learns to face his fear in a progressive way with, at each stage, the support of his therapist. She manages the emotions and thoughts related to her phobia better and better. About ten sessions are enough on average to make his phobia disappear.

hypnosis

For its part, hypnosis helps to find the origin of his fear, to better detach himself from it. It works very well, only if you are receptive to it. Skeptics, go your way. Finally, we must not neglect the hygiene of life. Sleeping well, moving regularly, avoiding alcohol, tobacco and drugs… are useful for defusing the anxiety linked to a phobia. You will never become a foot fetishist. But you can watch them without feeling disgusted or afraid, which is pretty good …