Fear of Vegetables: Do You Suffer From It?

Vicki Larrieux, a 22-year-old student, claims she is unable to keep to a healthy diet because she is frightened of vegetables. Now I know what you're thinking "Isn't that most of the Western world?" Incredibly enough, Larrieux suffers from a "legitimate" condition called lachanophobia - a fear of vegetables.

The mere sight of lettuce or peas leaves Larrieux sweating and panic-stricken. As a result, she lives on a diet of meat, potatoes, cereals and the occasional apple - but will go into revolt if there a single carrot on her plate.

"Every time I would see vegetables not just on my plate, but anywhere I would get feelings of panic, start sweating and my heart rate would shoot up. People might think it is a bit of a laughable affliction but I have a genuine fear of greens it's not just that I dislike the taste of sprouts or broccoli, but the actual sight of them fills me with dread and I could never touch them."

The conditions is said to be quite rare and treatment consists of psychological "re-programming" to control the anxious response to seeing vegetables.

"I am learning to control my fear but it isn't easy it is a hard thing to have to bring up when I meet new people and I'm sure some people must think I'm taking the mickey.

Larrieux's phobia makes it difficult for her to go near grocery stores or restaurants but her boyfriend Joseph (run, Joseph - run far away) is understanding. Seriously though, I'm trying to picture Joseph asking Vicki out on a first date.

Joseph: So, um, Vicki... do you fancy dinner on Saturday?
Vicki: Ooohh, um... sounds great Joseph, except I'm, um.. afraid of veg.
Joseph: You mean, you... don't like vegetables?
Vicki: No, I'm actually deathly afraid of them - I break out in a sweat and start twitching uncontrollably followed by yelling like a lunatic if I see even one crown of broccoli.
Joseph: Oh, Jolly good then... movie it is!

A spokesman for phobia charity Anxiety UK said: "Around 13 per cent of Brits suffer a phobia of some form."

Surprisingly, the lachanophobia society has not returned my email queries.

Just for fun, here are 5 more unusual phobias you may or may not be aware of:

1. Pentheraphobia - Fear of mother-in-law
2. Consecotaleophobia - Fear of chopsticks
3. Paraskavedekatriaphobia - Fear of Friday the 13th
4. Arachibutyrophobia- Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth
5. Peladophobia- Fear of bald people

By Mike Howard

Reprinted by permission from Dietblog