Cibophobia is defined as the fear of food. People with cibophobia often avoid food and drinks because they're afraid of the food itself. The fear may be specific to one type of food, such as perishable foods, or it may include many foods. A phobia is a deep, irrational fear about a specific thing or situation.

Is cibophobia a mental illness?

It is considered a specific phobia, which is an anxiety disorder. People with this phobia are sometimes mistakenly thought to suffer from anorexia, an eating disorder. While those with anorexia fear the effects of food on body image, those with cibophobia are afraid of the food itself.

What is the fear of eating chicken called?

The DSM-5 has criteria that distinguishes phobias from typical fears and other anxiety-related conditions. For alektorophobia, this list includes: an immediate feeling of intense fear, panic, and anxiety nearly every time you see a chicken or think about chickens.