If you're someone dealing with halitophobia, you are not alone.  It is not a common phobia or disorder; less than 1% of the population has it, however, it is a very real phobia and one that must be taken seriously.  Dealing with halitophobia can be difficult and isolating, so it's important that you get professional help if you find yourself becoming overwhelmed with this problem.  But before we talk about some important keys to dealing with halitophobia, let's talk a bit more in depth about what exactly it is.

What is Halitophobia?
The prefix "halito" refers to breath.  You're probably familiar with the word halitosis, which refers to bad or foul breath.  Halitophobia then is the fear of having bad breath.  It may seem easily dismissed, but dealing with halitophobia is no small matter, as is true with all phobias, especially those that are involved with the human body.  Body dysmorphic disorder affects people in many different ways; some people feel a detachment from their own limbs, others becomes obsessed with so-called imperfections and even become addicted to plastic surgery procedures. 

When dealing with halitophobia, it may be helpful to try to understand how body dysmorphic disorder affects people differently, as halitophobia may fall under this category.  The fear that there is something wrong with your body – whether it's the thought that there are insects crawling on your skin or that you have a very foul body odor or bad breath – is very real to those who suffer from it.

Dealing With Halitophobia as a Real Phobia

There are real phobias that people have that seem somewhat justifiable.  For example, having a fear of heights can actually be a safeguard, keeping you from taking dangerous chances when nearing the ledge of a building.  Many people have a fear of snakes or spiders or other animals because they are dangerous and unpredictable.  While some people are not bothered by these things, the people that do have these phobias are not thought of as odd or bothersome.

However, dealing with halitphobia is different because many people just don't understand how someone can develop a fear of having bad breath.  Persons suffering from this disorder are easily dismissed, as many might reason to themselves that even if you do have bad breath, so what?  It won't kill you the way falling from a tall building would or being bitten by a poisonous snake.  This type of dismissive attitude, even sometimes shared by those in the medical community, can make dealing with halitophobia that much more difficult than dealing with other phobias.

When being treated for phobias, it's important that the sufferer know that the doctor or counselor believes that this is a real fear on the part of the patient.  It may not be a rational or justifiable fear, but it is real nonetheless.  Being dismissed or ignored is not helpful.

Dealing with halitophobia is like dealing with all other phobias.  It must first be acknowledged as a sickness or disorder, as should the impact it has on the sufferer's life.

The Isolation

Many people dealing with halitophobia experience extreme isolation.  Because breathing is something we do every minute of every day, many sufferers begin to avoid social contact and suffer in their career and employment because of this.  They may also be afraid of intimate physical relationships.  Remember, dealing with halitophobia is more than just nervousness or concern about one's breath; it's a real, terrifying, gripping fear.

The longer that this condition is ignored, the more it may very well spiral out of control.  This is typically true of all phobias; they need to be faced and dealt with or they will simply become worse.  Experiencing the problems of physical and emotional isolation, job loss, and circumstances such as these will not help the situation any.

Find a Doctor

When dealing with halitophobia, you may find that it's helpful to speak to a doctor about medical intervention, or at the very least, about finding a counselor that specializes in phobias.  Group therapy for those with fears and anxieties is also helpful.  Because such a small amount of the population have this specific phobia, you may not be likely to find a particular support group for halitophobia, however, just knowing that others have fears that are also irrational and that interfere with their personal lives can give you support.

Anti-anxiety medication and antidepressants can be helpful.  Medications that treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder are also sometimes prescribed to those dealing with halitophobia, as these calm the impulse to over-clean the mouth.  Prozac, Paxil, and Xanax are commonly prescribed medications.

And if you are dealing with halitophobia, it's important to resist the urge to consistently visit your dentist or doctor to have your mouth tested and treated.  If your doctor or dentist tells you that you are suffering from a phobia, then you need to listen to their words and follow their advice.  Cleaning or treating your mouth excessively can cause permanent damage to your teeth and gums.

Others Are Dealing With Halitophobia

No, there is not a large segment of the population that is also dealing with halitophobia.  However, there are others out there that are, and as more and more come forward and admit to this problem, it may be found that there are more than expected.  It may also be reassuring to remember that many people have fears and anxieties that are irrational, whether it's a fear of falling or a fear of germs or a fear of strangers.  Doctors and scientists have much to learn about how the mind works and are working every day to find out about things such as phobias and obsessions. 

With each passing day there are new medications, new therapies, and new treatments available.  So while dealing with halitophobia may be very difficult and you may feel hopeless, there is no need.  Help is available, whether it's a medication or other therapy.  You simply need to be open to such help as it becomes available.

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