What Is Podophobia (Fear of Feet) – Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Podophobia, or fear of feet, is a condition where people face severe anxiety or distress anytime when exposed to feet. The intensity of this fear can be so severe that one with podophobia can choose to completely avoid touching or seeing feet. 

In this article, all the crucial aspects like symptoms, causes, diagnosis and potent treatment methods of podophobia are discussed to help in spreading awareness related to the condition.

People suffering from this type of phobia get upset and feel uncomfortable at the sight of human feet. Some start to feel anxious when people touch or look at their feet. Some others do not like the sight of their own feet, and feel uncomfortable to read or talk about it. 

People often keep their shoes or socks on while sleeping due to the fear of seeing their feet. This can cause problems of infection, allergies or other medical issues.

Though different individuals may face diverse symptoms, people suffering from podophobia may encounter a plethora of physical and emotional symptoms. These have been discussed below.

• A feeling of extreme fear or panic
• Experiencing disgust or horror at the sight of feet 
• Excessive sweating 
• Feeling tremors 
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Experiencing chest pain and chest tightness
• Running out of breath or breathlessness
• Dizziness or fainting 

In addition to the symptoms mentioned above on podophobia, an individual may face severe complications like choosing to isolate oneself from groups and events. This will eventually disrupt normal activities and daily work.

Several factors can aggravate anxiety and distress among people having a fear of feet. Here are some factors that can be considered as triggers. 

• Getting exposed to feet (via acts of opening one’s shoes or socks)
• Watching movies or videos with scenes involving exposed feet
• Hearing someone talk about topics related to feet

Though it is difficult to quote the cognitive and behavioural mechanism that works behind the causes of podophobia, some factors contribute to the generation of this phobia. 

• Experiencing past trauma in relation to feet
• Genetics or heredity, with someone in the family possessing this kind of phobia
• Informational learning or hearing someone's negative experience where information about a foot is involved
• Underlying mental health issues or adrenal deficiency can also contribute to this fear or to any other associated phobia
• Having foot conditions like hammertoe 

Apart from facing physical and psychological signs of podophobia, an individual can develop severe complications if the condition is left untreated. Some of the complications that one may face are.

• Body tremors
• Chest tightness and strokes in severe case
• Major depressive disorders
• Social isolation 
• Agoraphobia or fear of going out of one’s house

A proper diagnosis of podophobia or associated phobia involves understanding the symptoms and begins with interrogations and interviews of a patient. Generally, diagnosis includes understanding the nature and aspects of fear that medical counsellors perform. 

In addition, therapists may follow guidelines or criteria mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). Some of the significant criterion that initiates clinical diagnosis is given as under. 

• Whether the fear lasts for more than six months 
• Whether there are any underlying mental health problems like major depressive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder
• How the daily work or a person’s routine is disrupted by the effects of podophobia
• Uncontrollable and irrational fear when one thinks about the feared object or stimuli. 

Based on the assessment and understanding of the feared symptoms, doctors can plan and prescribe a treatment program that will serve individual needs and help patients cope with podophobia.

To treat the effects of podophobia, most of the time, a doctor chooses behavioural therapies as the best treatment program. Here are the promising treatments for podophobia that have shown positive results in previous cases of clinical trials. 

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 

With the help of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a therapist gets to identify any unrealistic or negative behavioural pattern that generates the fear of feet. This therapy makes one reconsider and revise his or her response to a feared object. Not only this, but by addressing these thoughts, one can better manage and control the level of anxiety caused due to podophobia. 

In addition, the final stage of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy includes replacing one’s negative and fearful thoughts with positive thoughts.

• Exposure Therapy 

One of the most effective treatments for podophobia involves exposure therapy, or systematic desensitization. In this process, a therapist and his or her patient get the chance to work on controlling and facing the fear. 

Under complete medical supervision, an individual will slowly get exposed to the stimuli shown as pictures and videos for a shorter duration. Eventually, he or she will be able to cope with the fear and be able to get exposed to the stimuli for a longer duration. 

At every level of an assessment, the therapist will guide and take note of the progress made by the patient. 

• Medication 

Many a time, to provide relief from anxiety and to calm one's nerves, doctors offer medication. Moreover, an individual may face severe fear even during the on-going therapy sessions. Thus, to help one follow-up with the therapeutic process, doctors often recommend benzodiazepines and beta-blocking medicines to their patients for a prescribed period of time. 

However, consuming these medicines for longer periods and without a doctor's prescription often leads to severe side effects.

It becomes quintessential for the person suffering from the effects of podophobia to seek medical guidance when the symptoms are present for more than six months. If left untreated, this phobia can hinder the normal workflow of life. Hence, to prevent from growing the effect of podophobia, one needs to consult with a therapist and follow the treatment plans as prescribed by them.

Apart from seeking medical guidance, one can reduce anxiety and fear by following a few coping strategies for podophobia. Here are a few effective strategies to try: 

Tip 1: Mindfulness Training

Learning and regularly practising exercises like breathing exercises, meditation and yoga can reduce the effect of anxiety and improve the functions of the brain. 

Tip 2: Adopting Distraction

Diversion is one of the best methods to shift one’s mind-set from negative thoughts like fear to positive thoughts. One can choose to journal or paint or even talk to a close one as an effective distraction technique.

Tip 3: Lifestyle Changes

Indulging in positive habits like exercising regularly and eating healthy can greatly benefit developing an optimistic and rational mind-set among people. A balanced lifestyle works as a shield from any irrational and negative thought processes. 

Podophobia, or any type of associated phobia, is treatable when the individual dealing with it receives proper treatment and timely care. Moreover, with the evolution of modern therapy methods and counselling procedures, the cure from these phobias is possible, imparting one with a happy and stress-free life.