Fear of belly buttons (omphalophobia)

Omphalophobia is a fear of belly buttons, whether your own or other people’s. Some people cannot bear to touch their own navel, while others feel uneasy seeing them on a beach or in photos. It is often mentioned in lists of unusual fears.

About this phobia

The term comes from the Greek omphalos, meaning navel. It is not a recognised clinical diagnosis, though some people do describe living with it. For many, the reaction is more disgust than fear.

What it feels like

• Avoiding touching or looking at your own belly button
• Discomfort at swimming pools, beaches or around crop tops
• A queasy feeling at the thought of anything pressing on the navel

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

Common questions

Why might someone be afraid of belly buttons?

There is no single reason. Some link it to the navel’s connection to birth and the umbilical cord, while others simply find the look or feel unsettling. Whatever the cause, it is real for the person who feels it.

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.

See all session options and prices