Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionSymptomsDiagnosisCausesTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Causes
Treatment
Coping
Omphalophobiais an ongoing, intense fear ofbelly buttons (navels). People with omphalophobia may be afraid of their own or others’ belly buttons. They may go out of their way to avoid situations in which they’ll see belly buttons, such as public swimming pools or beaches.
Learn more about omphalophobia, including definition, symptoms, causes, and treatment.
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Omphalophobia Defined
The term “omphalophobia” refers to a persistent, overwhelming fear of belly buttons. While omphalophobia itself isn’t a clinical diagnosis, it is a type of specific phobia within the broader category ofanxiety disordersin theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition(DSM-5).
A specific phobia, which is sometimes called a simple phobia, is an excessive, disproportionate, and ongoing fear of a specific person, activity, thing, place, animal, or situation.
Examples of common specific phobias includeclaustrophobia(fear of closed spaces) andacrophobia(fear of heights). People with specific phobias often know that their fears aren’t grounded in reality, but they are unable to control their intense anxiety.
The five subtypes of specific phobias, according to the DSM-5, are:
The fear of belly buttons is relatively rare and falls into the “other” subtype.
What Is Phobia of Germs (Mysophobia)?
When someone with a specific phobia sees or sometimes even thinks about the source of their fear, they experiencesymptoms of anxietyand/orpanic attacks. These symptoms may include:
Many people with specific phobias to belly buttons will go out of their way to avoid places or situations where they might see belly buttons. For example, people with omphalophobia may go to great lengths to avoid pools, gyms, or beaches. This ongoing avoidance and underlying distress can interfere with major aspects of daily functioning, such as relationships, work, school, and social life.
How Common Are Specific Phobias?Specific phobias are very common. During the course of their lifetime, an estimated 12.5% of U.S. adults will experience a specific phobia. Within a given year, about 9.1% of American adults meet the criteria for a specific phobia. Specific phobias are less common in men than in women.
How Common Are Specific Phobias?
Specific phobias are very common. During the course of their lifetime, an estimated 12.5% of U.S. adults will experience a specific phobia. Within a given year, about 9.1% of American adults meet the criteria for a specific phobia. Specific phobias are less common in men than in women.
Outie Belly Button Causes and When To Worry
To diagnose you with omphalophobia, a healthcare provider such as a mental health professional will ask questions about your medical history, personal history, and current symptoms. Your family and friends may also be helpful in describing your symptoms. Your provider may perform additional tests to rule out any other medical conditions.
The exact cause of omphalophobia is unknown.However, researchers have identified certain risk factors for specific phobias, including:
Treatment for specific phobias, such as a fear of belly buttons, usually involves individual or group psychotherapy. In some cases, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication as well.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is typically considered the first-line treatment for specific phobias like omphalophobia.Exposure-based therapyis a type of psychotherapy that involves gradually encountering the source of your fear under the supervision of a qualified therapist.
Research suggests that exposure therapy is most effective when combined with aspects ofcognitive behavioral therapy(CBT). CBT can help people with specific phobias address the underlying thoughts and beliefs that they associate with the object of their fear.
Medication
While medication isn’t always prescribed to treat specific phobias, it may be helpful in some cases. There is some evidence that the following medications can enhance the effects of exposure therapy when prescribed on a short-term basis:
If your fear is especially overwhelming or persistent, your healthcare provider may recommend other medications, such as antianxiety drugs, sedatives, or antidepressants.
What Is Exposure Therapy?
In addition to professional treatment, the following self-care steps can help you cope with the symptoms of omphalophobia:
Seek HelpIf you or a loved one is struggling with a phobia, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
Seek Help
If you or a loved one is struggling with a phobia, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
Summary
The fear of belly buttons is a specific phobia – a type of anxiety disorder that involves an overwhelming, persistent fear of a particular object, situation, environment, person, or activity. Symptoms of specific phobias in people include anxiety and/or panic attacks when confronted with the source of their fear, as well as taking extreme efforts to avoid it.
The precise cause of specific phobias is unknown. However, many researchers believe that genetics, environment, personality traits, trauma, differences in brain activity, and/or comorbid mental health disorders play a role. Treatment for specific phobias, such as omphalophobia, typically involves a type ofpsychotherapyknown as exposure therapy. In certain cases, medication may be prescribed as well.
A Word From Verywell
Some people are hesitant to seek treatment for phobias like a fear of belly buttons. However, you’re not alone, and there’s no reason to feel ashamed. If you are dealing with symptoms of omphalophobia or any other specific phobia or anxiety disorder, talk to a healthcare provider to discuss your treatment options.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Specific phobia.U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Table 3.11, DSM-IV to DSM-5 specific phobia comparison.National Health Service.Symptoms - phobias.MedlinePlus.Phobia - simple/specific.National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.Garcia R.Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias.Learn Mem. 2017;24(9):462-471. doi:10.1101/lm.044115.116Capriola NN, Booker JA, Ollendick TH.Profiles of temperament among youth with specific phobias: implications for CBT outcomes.J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2017;45(7):1449-1459. doi:10.1007/s10802-016-0255-4Thng CEW, Lim-Ashworth NSJ, Poh BZQ, Lim CG.Recent developments in the intervention of specific phobia among adults: a rapid review.F1000Res. 2020;9:F1000 Faculty Rev-195. doi:10.12688/f1000research.20082.1Böhnlein J, Altegoer L, Muck NK, et al.Factors influencing the success of exposure therapy for specific phobia: a systematic review.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2020;108:796-820. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.12.009National Health Service.Self-help - phobias.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Specific phobia.U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Table 3.11, DSM-IV to DSM-5 specific phobia comparison.National Health Service.Symptoms - phobias.MedlinePlus.Phobia - simple/specific.National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.Garcia R.Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias.Learn Mem. 2017;24(9):462-471. doi:10.1101/lm.044115.116Capriola NN, Booker JA, Ollendick TH.Profiles of temperament among youth with specific phobias: implications for CBT outcomes.J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2017;45(7):1449-1459. doi:10.1007/s10802-016-0255-4Thng CEW, Lim-Ashworth NSJ, Poh BZQ, Lim CG.Recent developments in the intervention of specific phobia among adults: a rapid review.F1000Res. 2020;9:F1000 Faculty Rev-195. doi:10.12688/f1000research.20082.1Böhnlein J, Altegoer L, Muck NK, et al.Factors influencing the success of exposure therapy for specific phobia: a systematic review.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2020;108:796-820. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.12.009National Health Service.Self-help - phobias.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychological Association.Specific phobia.U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Table 3.11, DSM-IV to DSM-5 specific phobia comparison.National Health Service.Symptoms - phobias.MedlinePlus.Phobia - simple/specific.National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.Garcia R.Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias.Learn Mem. 2017;24(9):462-471. doi:10.1101/lm.044115.116Capriola NN, Booker JA, Ollendick TH.Profiles of temperament among youth with specific phobias: implications for CBT outcomes.J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2017;45(7):1449-1459. doi:10.1007/s10802-016-0255-4Thng CEW, Lim-Ashworth NSJ, Poh BZQ, Lim CG.Recent developments in the intervention of specific phobia among adults: a rapid review.F1000Res. 2020;9:F1000 Faculty Rev-195. doi:10.12688/f1000research.20082.1Böhnlein J, Altegoer L, Muck NK, et al.Factors influencing the success of exposure therapy for specific phobia: a systematic review.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2020;108:796-820. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.12.009National Health Service.Self-help - phobias.
American Psychological Association.Specific phobia.
U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Table 3.11, DSM-IV to DSM-5 specific phobia comparison.
National Health Service.Symptoms - phobias.
MedlinePlus.Phobia - simple/specific.
National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.
Garcia R.Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias.Learn Mem. 2017;24(9):462-471. doi:10.1101/lm.044115.116
Capriola NN, Booker JA, Ollendick TH.Profiles of temperament among youth with specific phobias: implications for CBT outcomes.J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2017;45(7):1449-1459. doi:10.1007/s10802-016-0255-4
Thng CEW, Lim-Ashworth NSJ, Poh BZQ, Lim CG.Recent developments in the intervention of specific phobia among adults: a rapid review.F1000Res. 2020;9:F1000 Faculty Rev-195. doi:10.12688/f1000research.20082.1
Böhnlein J, Altegoer L, Muck NK, et al.Factors influencing the success of exposure therapy for specific phobia: a systematic review.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2020;108:796-820. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.12.009
National Health Service.Self-help - phobias.
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