Do you have bad breath?  Are you sure?  Many people wonder if they do, or are pretty sure that they do when they've eaten something that is rather pungent, or when they wake up in the morning.

Halitophobia is the delusional thought that you have bad breath when really you don't.  This is more than just a passing thought or nervous concern that most people have about their breath.  When talking about halitophobia, and if you are afraid of exhaling, this is a real and true phobia.  A person suffering from this condition can actually be afraid of talking or breathing around others. 

So what can be done about this?  If you have halitophobia and are afraid of exhaling, are you doomed to a life of silence and fear?  Obviously not – there are some ways you can cope and deal with this situation, and even get around it.  When medical intervention is necessary, your doctor has several options for what he or she can prescribe, whether it's something for your breath itself (in case you do have a problem) or something for your anxiety.

It's important however to recognize the difference between this actual disease or condition and the general anxiety that many people have about their breath.  Let's examine that subject a bit closer now.

If You Have Halitophobia, You Are Afraid of Exhaling

Everyone is a bit apprehensive about their breath at one time or another.  Walk down any candy aisle of any supermarket or pharmacy, and count the number of gums, mints, drops, sprays, and everything else available for bad breath.  If people weren't so concerned about their breath, these aisles and their hundreds of products wouldn't exist.

However, if you have true halitophobia, you are afraid of exhaling, period.  More than just a concern regarding your breath's freshness or level of "minty-ness," halitophobia and being afraid of exhaling are like other phobias that you may be familiar with.  Someone with a real phobia about snakes, for instance, isn't just uncomfortable with them being around, they run screaming if they see one.  A person with aquaphobia, or a fear of water, doesn't just stay in the boat, he or she avoids the water completely.

So it is with halitophobia and being afraid of exhaling.  We're not talking about a certain concern or comfort level, we're talking about an actual fear or dread of what may be coming out of your mouth.

Dealing With Phobias, and Halitophobia, Being Afraid of Exhaling

No matter what the phobia, there is probably a treatment method available for it, and the old stereotype of a doctor forcing you into the situation that makes you terrified is long gone.  More comfortable and approachable methods are currently being used to encourage persons to face their fears and conquer their phobias, whatever they may be.

Many phobias develop after a specific event or occurrence.  For example, a person may develop a fear of heights after a fall.  So getting to the root of your halitophobia and being afraid of exhaling may be the first step that you can take to get over it.  Ask yourself if there was any traumatic occurrence that involved being made fun of because of your breath, such as when you were a child.  We all know that children can be so cruel at times, and sometimes a minor incident during the school years can be overblown and made fun of for years to come.  Or, sometimes children will just make up something that they want to tease you about, whether it's real or not.  Your halitophobia and fear of exhaling may have sprung from an incident much like that.

Or perhaps it was something more recent, such as overhearing someone make fun of you behind your back, or hearing an unkind comment from someone you thought you were close to.  It may be painful to relive such comments or cruel remarks, but the only way to get past your halitophobia and being afraid of exhaling is by understanding why you have this fear in the first place.

Talking Yourself Out of Halitophobia and Being Afraid of Exhaling

Many persons with phobias are able to talk themselves through their fears.  Of course, this is not recommended if your fear is somewhat justified or if you can put yourself in danger, such as walking along the ledge of a building to overcome your fear of heights!  However, think seriously about your halitophobia and being afraid of exhaling.  Is it justified?  Might you be blowing things out of proportion?  If there was an unkind comment made or some other incident, could it have been something said or done out of malice with no real bearing on what your breath is really like?  Is there a chance that you're more aware of the problem than others?

What about your real friends and family members – have they said anything?  Can you possibly ask one of them if you have such a problem with your breath that you should be so afraid?  Getting an honest opinion might help you put your fears to rest.

Getting Medical Help for Halitophobia and Being Afraid of Exhaling

Only a medical doctor can really tell you if you have a chronic case of halitosis, and if you need medical intervention for your breath.  However, what you might need medical help with is your phobia, not the breath itself.

For halitophobia and being afraid of exhaling, your doctor might be able to recommend anti-anxiety pills or other medications that have helped others with their phobias.  There may also be something he or she would give you that would make you feel as if you are taking care of the problem, such as gums or mints.  These may be just placebos, but they may work to put your mind at ease.

There is help for your halitophobia if you are afraid of exhaling, you simply need to be proactive and ask for that help in the first place.

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