Fear of chopsticks (consecotaleophobia)

Consecotaleophobia is a fear of chopsticks. For most people it is less about the sticks themselves and more about using them in front of others, dropping food or looking clumsy. It can make meals out, work dinners or trips to East Asian restaurants feel stressful.

About this phobia

The word appears mainly on lists of unusual phobias, and its origin is unclear. It has very little clinical documentation. In practice it often overlaps with social anxiety and fears of eating in public, sometimes linked to an awkward moment in the past.

What it feels like

• Asking for a fork straight away, or avoiding certain restaurants
• Worry about dropping food or being laughed at while eating
• Tension when others offer to show you how to use them

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

Common questions

Is this fear really about chopsticks or about being watched?

Often it is about being watched. Many people are fine practising at home but feel tense at a table full of people. If the fear means skipping meals or eating much less, speak to a GP.

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