How to Manage Mageirocophobia, the Fear of Cooking

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Mageirocophobia, or fear of cooking, can take many forms. Some people are only afraid of cooking for large groups, while others are afraid of whipping up scrambled eggs for themselves.

While many people do experience some level of anxiety around cooking, it is only considered a phobia when it is severe enough to interfere with daily life and meets certain other criteria specified in the DSM. For example:

  • Taking extreme measures to avoid cooking
  • The fear and anxiety are well out of proportion to the actual danger
  • The fear lasts longer than six months

Millions of people deal with a phobia at some point in their lives, with many struggling with more than one. Having a phobia can feel very isolating, especially if the thing you fear—such as cooking—is something so prevalent in daily life that most people do without feeling fear. If you feel any stigma tied to your condition, it can be even more difficult to deal with.

People who don't struggle with phobias simply can't fully empathize with what you're going through. That said, it's important to remember that you're not alone, and that there are many resources and treatment methods available to help you overcome your fears.

Types 

Most people with a fear of cooking are actually afraid of one or more elements or possible outcomes of the cooking process. If your mageirocophobia is severe, however, you may find that most or all of these elements apply to you:

  • Fear of Causing Illness: This appears to be the most common cooking phobia of all. It is true that there are a number of possible foodborne illnesses, and media coverage has led us to believe that they are quite common. People who have this fear are generally afraid of contamination, spoilage and/or undercooking. This fear may be more common in those who do not fully understand the reasoning behind many “food rules,” as well as those who spend a lot of time reading about foodborne illnesses.
  • Fear of Serving Inedible Food: This phobia can be divided into many factors. A lot of cooks are overwhelmed by seasoning options. They do not trust their own abilities to mix flavors or determine the best choices for each dish. Many cooks fear overcooking or having their food turn out dry or soggy.
  • Presentation Concerns: Some cooks are perfectionists. They may worry about how the food looks, whether the glasses are entirely spot-free and even whether the tablecloth is perfectly centered. This phobia seems to be triggered most often when giving a dinner party or otherwise entertaining at home. However, some cooks experience this even when cooking for a close family.
  • Fear of the Cooking Process: Many cooks worry about cutting themselves, burning themselves or having other difficulties with the process. Some are afraid of techniques that they do not fully understand, from blanching to poaching.
  • Fear of Recipes: Some cooks are intimidated by recipes that seem complicated or overly long. They may question their ability to perform all of the steps or worry that they will miss a step.

Additionally, some of these fears may be connected to social anxieties. Cooking for someone can be a very intimate process, and if the food doesn't turn out how we want, we may feel disappointed, ashamed, embarrassed, and anxious for the next time we have to cook for someone.

Complications 

Many people are able to successfully cope with mild to moderate mageirocophobia simply by avoiding the specific elements of cooking that make them nervous. However, more severe cases of the phobia can become life-limiting.

Living with any phobia can eventually lead to complications ranging from depression to other anxiety disorders. In addition, food plays an important emotional role in many people’s lives, making mageirocophobia particularly difficult.

Many families and groups of friends enjoy getting together for meals, particularly during the holidays. These events are often potluck in nature, and it can feel awkward to always be the one bringing napkins or potato chips. Alternately, some groups take turns hosting elaborate dinner parties, and the inability to reciprocate can make you feel inadequate.

In addition, many people become concerned about their mageirocophobia when they have children. You might feel a responsibility to feed your kids healthy, home-cooked meals, and experience guilt or anxiety when that does not happen.

Some people with this phobia marry someone who loves to cook. At first, your partner may truly enjoy cooking for you. Over time, though, they might begin to resent never having a day off from this duty. You might also begin to feel guilty or even dependent, as your partner is providing your sustenance.

Treatment

Depending on its severity, the fear of cooking can be treated in a variety of ways. If your phobia is severe or life-limiting, cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you learn to replace your fears with more positive self-talk. Medications can be helpful in bringing a truly stubborn phobia under control.

Once your phobia is no longer overwhelming, you might find that learning and practicing new kitchen skills is helpful. However, trying to force yourself through the phobia can actually make it worse, as cooking requires a fairly steep learning curve. It is important to be psychologically ready to handle the inevitable mistakes before proceeding, or you may actually make the phobia worse.

With proper treatment, mageirocophobia can be successfully managed with a therapist.

Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  • American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th Ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

By Lisa Fritscher
Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer and editor with a deep interest in phobias and other mental health topics.