And so, I find myself watching Young Sheldon with my children, occasionally viewing it through the lens of a therapist. In Season 1, Episode 4, titled “A Therapist, a Comic Book, and a Breakfast Sausage,” Sheldon faces a personal challenge that many of us can relate to — the struggle to overcome a deeply ingrained fear. In Sheldon’s case, it is the fear of solid food (Sitophobia/Cibophobia), which stems from a traumatic choking incident on a breakfast sausage. After receiving support from his family, particularly his mother, Sheldon’s parents seek professional help. However, what unfolds is not just therapy, but a subtle lesson in courage, self-reliance, and personal growth.

Sheldon is taken to see Dr. Goetsch, a psychiatrist — whom I must say is a rather strange character. In Dr. Goetsch’s waiting room, there are comic books for Sheldon to read while his parents discuss matters with the therapist. This simple act — giving Sheldon something to engage with — becomes the turning point. Although Sheldon had never shown interest in comic books before, he becomes absorbed in the X-Men series during the session. He devours the comic and then, without hesitation, leaves the waiting room to head to a nearby comic book store to read more.

At the comic store, Sheldon runs into his friend Tam, who is eating liquorice. Tam offers Sheldon a piece, but Sheldon, still paralysed by his fear of solid foods, initially refuses. As Tam continues reading, Sheldon has a moment of revelation:

“I didn’t have to read many comic books to understand that every superhero had a weakness — something they had to overcome through an extraordinary act of courage. For Cyclops, it was the loss of Jean Grey; for Rogue, it was human touch; for me, it was food that required chewing. So, if I truly was a mutant, I would have to do the same. On this day, I would not be defeated, because this was the day I became the cure. Just like that, I overcame my fear of choking.” 

In Sheldon’s mind, these superheroes’ challenges mirror his own — his phobia of solid food. For Sheldon, eating something that required chewing became his personal “weakness” that he would need to conquer, just as these superheroes conquered their own fears.

It is not a small victory, but rather a significant one for Sheldon. One that symbolises his growing ability to take control of his anxiety. Sheldon learns that the key to overcoming his fear lies not in avoiding it or seeking constant reassurance, but in facing it head-on, just like the superheroes in his comic books

When Sheldon, struggling with his fear, encounters his friend Tam in the comic book store, we see a key moment in his journey. Tam, takes a non-pressuring approach with Sheldon. He does not force or expect anything from Sheldon. Instead, he simply offers him a piece of liquorice, without judgment or demand. In this safe, non-judgmental space, Sheldon is able to relax, engage with the comics, and, ultimately, confront his fear in his own time.

Instead of reacting to external pressures, Sheldon experiences an internal shift, encouraged by the security he feels in Tam’s presence. This reflects a critical aspect of healing: creating a safe environment in which a person can face their anxieties at their own pace.

While Sheldon is reading the X-Men comics, he is introduced to the vulnerability of superheroes — characters who, despite their immense powers, have their own fears and weaknesses.

[This resonates with the article I previously wrote on Medium, “An Unexpected Insight from a Sea Turtle That Shifted My View on Carl Rogers 25#.” In that piece, I shared the perspective that sometimes, blocks must be removed, and more information or insight must be provided for true healing to occur]

This realisation triggers a deep insight within Sheldon: if these superheroes can face their weaknesses with courage, perhaps he too can confront his fear of solid food. Just like these characters, Sheldon sees that vulnerability is not a weakness, but an opportunity for growth.

Now, you may ask: What can you do if you are a parent or someone in a supportive role? The answer is simple, much like Tam’s approach: create a safe, accepting space where the person can confront their fear in their own time. This is crucial. Rather than pushing or forcing progress, it’s about providing the space for growth to unfold naturally, just as Sheldon does in his own way, at his own pace. Try to remain present and project a calm, nurturing energy to help reduce their anxiety.

I think there’s a notable difference between Sheldon’s mother and Tam in this context. While Mary, tries to stay calm, Tam is genuinely calm. He doesn’t need to try — he simply is. This kind of calm presence is incredibly helpful in these moments.

So, maintain your calm as best as you can, and in the meantime, support nutrition with textures, as Mary does. Also, finding a therapist who specialises in children with anxiety and phobias is key. While CBT can be helpful, it’s essential to note that the issue is not just about thoughts but also about feelings and trauma. Therefore, seek a therapist with somatic training who understands the role of emotions and trauma or one who specialises in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). These therapeutic approaches help address not just the cognitive aspects, but also the emotional and somatic layers of fear and trauma

I will now give you a taste of EMDR applied to Sheldon’s scenario. Forgive me if this sounds a bit more technical, but I hope it will offer clarity.

So, we’re at the comic book store, and this is the moment where Sheldon starts to confront and rethink his fear. This mirrors a process in EMDR called self-initiated reprocessing. Instead of having an external therapist guide him through the process, Sheldon is able to face and process his fear in a safe, comfortable environment with the support of Tam’s non-pressuring presence. This process of self-exposure allows Sheldon to gradually re-evaluate the meaning of his fear, a crucial step in healing.

In therapy, we often use metaphors or alternative perspectives to help clients reprocess traumatic memories or anxieties. Just as Sheldon uses the superhero comics to gain a different perspective on his fear, EMDR encourages clients to reframe their experiences. For Sheldon, by observing the superheroes’ vulnerabilities, he starts to reframe his fear of solid food. Rather than seeing it as an insurmountable barrier, he begins to view it as a challenge that can be confronted with courage and agency.

Sheldon’s act of eating the liquorice after reading the comics is a clear reflection of the desensitisation phase in EMDR. Initially, the fear of solid food is overwhelming, just as a traumatic memory or anxiety can feel consuming. However, through gradual exposure in a relaxed and safe environment, Sheldon’s anxiety begins to diminish. The more he engages with the feared object (solid food, symbolised by the liquorice), the less power it holds over him.

‘And all that was left was my fear of dogs, birds, insects, germs, hugging, button-fly pants, rivers, ponds, lakes, oceans, estuaries, corduroy, root vegetables, squeaky balloons, tinted windows, ‘take a penny, leave a penny’ jars, fireworks, pop-belly stoves, dust bunnies, and that fuzz on peaches’.

But hey, one fear at a time, right?