Omphalophobia

Omphalophobia (from the Greek ὀμφαλός - omphalos, "navel" and φόβος - phobos, "fear") is the fear of bellybuttons. Refers to one being afraid of having their bellybutton touched or tugged on by themselves or other people. It is also the fear of seeing other people touch their own bellybutton. Most suffers are able to look upon an untouched bellybutton but become extremely uncomfortable, nauseous and anxious when one is being touched, especially their own. Others may become nauseous from just a picture of a navel.

Causes

There is no known biological or scientific reason for this fear. The phobia is usually the result of a negative experience in ones life concerning their bellybutton. Usually an event in their childhood that results in a lasting fear. For example, constant playing or tugging at the bellybutton or the removal of leftover umbilical cord resulting in discomfort. There are even reports of joking parents telling their children that playing with their bellybuttons will make their guts fall out. This phobia can also be connected to the rejection of one's own body part as the result of an unnatural feeling of an umbilical cord still being attached.

Fear

Phobics have a fear of their bellybuttons “unraveling”, coming undone, or “unwinding” by touch. Others fear that their insides still attached to the umbilical cord will come out or that their “innie” will become an “outie” if touched.

Example

Jenny Frost is a celebrity who suffers from this fear. She is quoted saying “I don’t like anybody touching my belly-button and it’s like I will vomit on you if you touch my belly-button”.

Treatment

As for most phobias extensive therapy or medication can be very effective of relieving the anxiety that comes with the phobia.

See also

• List of phobias