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Fat phobia - any good coping mechanisms other than hypnotism which didn't work?

10 replies

Pussygaloregalapagos · 07/08/2026 01:48

No Fobias topic so posting here. Fat phobia - does anyone have this or know people that do? Anyone know a way to cure or reduce effects. My good friends DH has it in the extreme. He feels physically revolted when he sees fat people and it can make him gag, and have seen him like puke in his mouth and have to rush out to deal with it. He has to leave rooms, shops, pubs, cross the street. It seems to be really affecting his life and he goes out less and less. I feel for him but what can he do - has tried hypnosis. We were trying to go on a holiday together but he panicked in the end at the thought of fat people in swimwear being around the pool and so wouldn't book. It seems to be getting worse over the years. It of course is awful for him but also it is really affecting my friend as it is limiting places they can visit and often trips out get cut short as he just can't deal with it and gets clammy and panicky and nauseas.

I don't think people notice what it is and just assume he is taken ill, so in that respect it is not affecting those he sees... the overweight people.

I guess this may become less of an issue as more weight loss drugs become readily available but in the meantime it is a big issue for him and his family to deal with. Any ideas?

OP posts:
ForeverTheOptomist · 07/08/2026 05:57

is this real?

Oneearringlost · 07/08/2026 05:57

CBT?
He has an obligation to deal this this.
I can't even begin to imagine how he interacts with people carrying extra weight, if their near presence produces such a visceral reaction. Quite bizarre.

Oneearringlost · 07/08/2026 05:58

ForeverTheOptomist · 07/08/2026 05:57

is this real?

Hmm, maybe not.

dreamingofgoodhair · 07/08/2026 06:14

Really ?? 🤔

Pleasedontdoitagain · 07/08/2026 06:37

Fat phobia. A disgusting extreme prejudice that has been encouraged and allowed to be recognised as a " thing" because of societies unhealthy attitudes to weight and the assumption thin is good and anything else isn't.
Amazing if you really think that a good side effect of the use of weight loss drugs is to benefit people who can't stand seeing anyone but thin people.
Reads more like an attempt to wind people up OP. Could this be the case?

ForeverTheOptomist · 07/08/2026 06:44

I recon that weight loss drugs will be banned in years to come.

They fuck with the brain and I believe that they're seriously unsafe like many things that have been fed to the masses over the years.

First thing that comes to mind right now is thalidomide.

(Sorry for the interjection)

LoafofSellotape · 07/08/2026 07:02

Why are you trying to sort this out? It's up to your friend's dh. Personally I couldn't spend any time with such a judgemental bell end. if this is real

Castolaya · 07/08/2026 07:20

🤔

KindlySurfiingPlatypus · 07/08/2026 07:35

It would be impossible to develop such a phobia without first being a judgemental and ignorant arsehole, so no treatment will work until that root cause is dealt with. This person needs to work on that first, rather than the phobia, before trying any other treatments.

6ate9 · 07/08/2026 07:52

Most people raised in Western and diet obsessed cultures have some degree of internalised fat phobia.

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