Fear of painful bowel movements (defecaloesiophobia)

Defecaloesiophobia is a fear of painful or difficult bowel movements. It is often seen in children, who may hold on to avoid going, which can make things harder and more uncomfortable over time. Any ongoing pain, constipation or change in bowel habits should be checked with a GP.

About this phobia

The term is rarely used, even by health professionals, and appears mostly on lists. The pattern it describes is well known, though: a painful experience on the toilet leads to fear, holding on, and then more discomfort. It can overlap with wider worries about toilets or about bodily pain.

What it feels like

• Holding on or delaying going to the toilet for as long as possible
• Tension, crying or refusing to sit on the toilet, especially in children
• Worry about pain building up through the day

Explore more unusual fears in the rare phobias A to Z, or browse the common phobias.

Common questions

How can I help a child who is scared to poo?

Start with a GP visit, since constipation is common in children and can be treated, which takes away much of the pain behind the fear. A calm, unhurried toilet routine with no pressure helps too. Praising sitting on the toilet, rather than results, can lower the tension.

How can you help?

I use hypnotherapy and NLP to change how your mind responds to the thing you fear, so the old alarm stops going off. Sessions are one to one over Zoom, and you get a recording of the hypnosis to listen to afterwards.

How many sessions will I need?

Many clients notice a real difference after one 90 minute session. If the fear goes back a long way, three sessions gives us room to make the change stick.

Ready to start?

Book a £49 consultation call and we’ll talk through your fear, or take the free suitability test first.

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