'Deipnophobia' — understanding the fear of dining with others

Mar 21, 2022 | News On Japan

Mar 21, 2022 (Japan Times) - While many people feel they are missing out amid COVID-19 restrictions imposed on group dining, with it regarded as a factor that leads to the spread of infections, there are some who feel relieved by the current situation.

Nishinippon Shimbun’s team of reporters on its “Journalism On Demand” beat received a note from a 61-year-old man living in the Kyushu region who suffers from “deipnophobia” — anxiety around eating in public.

In many cases, deipnophobia is triggered by past traumatic events related to eating. Some people even have to give up employment or other public activities because they are unable to dine with others.

For the Kyushu man, the condition came on suddenly at a friend’s house during his second year of high school.

In a gathering together with four other boys and girls, the group was chatting while enjoying snacks. The man was holding a snack in his hand, but all of a sudden he realized he couldn’t put it in his mouth. He felt like he was floating in the air, and broke into a cold sweat.

A friend noticed that something was wrong with him and encouraged him to eat more, but he couldn’t take even one more bite.

Since then, he has been unable to eat with anyone other than his family. He gets intensely worried and scared of others seeing him eat, as he fears he might not be eating in a proper way. He tries putting food into his mouth but is unable to chew it properly, and ends up just sweating all over.

Ever since that time the man has declined invitations to meals, making up excuses and saying he has things to do or is not feeling well. Being unable to do normal things, he feels irritated and ashamed of himself. ...continue reading

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