Gymnophobia Explained

Gymnophobia
Field:Psychiatry
Symptoms:Fear of nudity

Gymnophobia is a fear (phobia) of or prejudice against nudity.

Symptoms

Gymnophobics experience anxiety from nudity, even if they realize their fear is irrational. They may worry about seeing others naked, being seen naked, or both. Their fear may stem from body dysmorphia, trauma, or a general anxiety about sexuality, from a fear that they are physically inferior, or from a fear that their nakedness leaves them bodyshamed, exposed and unprotected.[1]

Gymnophobia refers to an actual fear of nudity, but most sufferers with the condition learn how to function in general society despite the condition. They may, for example, avoid ill fitted, poor quality and revealing clothes, changing rooms, washrooms, showers, gyms, hostels, hotel rooms, medical facilities, security facilities, pools and beaches. It applies to any place where two-way mirrors and hidden cameras can be put, and phones or recording devices could be used; however, the condition can be regarded as hypochondriasis or an anxiety disorder if the person cannot control the phobia or it is interfering with their daily life and medical examinations.[2]

Non-medical usage

Gymnophobia has also been used to describe those that are prejudiced against naked people or nudists.[3] [4]

Etymology

The term gymnophobia comes from the Greek γυμνός - gumnos, "naked"[5] and φόβος - phobos, "fear".[6] A phobia that has a significant amount of overlap with gymnophobia is dishabiliophobia, which is the fear of undressing in front of others.[7]

In fiction

Gymnophobia has been likened to the fictional condition "never-nude" portrayed in the comedy series Arrested Development.[8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gymnophobia. MedicineNet. 2008-05-01. 2014-05-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20140529052614/http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=12335. dead.
  2. Book: Edmund J. Bourne. The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook. 2005-05-01. New Harbinger Publications Incorporated. 978-1-57224-413-9. registration.
  3. News: The Orpington couple who only wear clothes when they have to. News Shopper. Immy. Share. 18 February 2024. 5 March 2024 . 24 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240224100918/https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/24120191.orpington-couple-wear-clothes/. live.
  4. Web site: Prof. Annebella Pollen on X . 13 March 2024 .
  5. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Dgumno%2Fs γυμνός
  6. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Dfo%2Fbos φόβος
  7. Book: Greene. Elliot. The Psychology of the Body. 2013. 240.
  8. Web site: No more cover-up: bared bodies and never nudes exposed. Nick Haslam. 23 May 2013. The Conversation.
  9. Web site: Gymnophobics are real-life 'never-nudes'. Meghan Holohan. NBC News. 17 May 2013.
  10. Web site: Best Tobias Funke Moments. 28 May 2013. Mental Floss. 2013-12-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20131230235423/https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/50781/late-movies-best-tobias-funke-moments. 2013-12-30. dead.
  11. Web site: 'Never Nude' Is Actually a Real Condition. Tracie Egan Morrissey. Jezebel. 17 May 2013.
  12. Web site: Here's a timely reminder that "never-nudes" aren't just something Arrested Development made up. AV Club. Sean. O'Neal. 17 May 2013.

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