Trypophobia is the irrational fear of images or objects that have holes or irregular patterns, such as honeycombs, lotus seeds, plants or sponges, for example. Thus, when faced with these patterns, the person may experience symptoms such as itching, tremors, tingling and repulsion, as well as increased heart rate and panic attacks, in the most serious cases.
Trypophobia is not yet recognized in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, but some studies prove that the phobia exists and causes symptoms that affect people’s lives.
Treatment for trypophobia may include graded exposure therapy, use of anxiolytics, antidepressants, or psychotherapy.
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Main symptoms
The main symptoms of trypophobia are:
- Nausea;
- Tremors;
- Sweats;
- Nojo;
- Want;
- Chills;
- Discomfort;
- Increased heart rate;
- Generalized itching and tingling.
In more serious cases, the person may also suffer panic attacks, due to an extreme level of anxiety. Know what to do during a panic attack.
Don’t ignore the signs your body is giving you!
Online symptom test
To find out if you have trypophobia, please select the symptoms you present:
This test is a tool that serves as a means of guidance only. Therefore, it is not intended to provide a diagnosis and does not replace consultation with a psychiatrist.
What causes trypophobia
According to research, people with trypophobia unconsciously associate holes or objects with irregular patterns, usually related to patterns created by nature, with possible dangerous situations. This feeling of danger is triggered mainly due to the similarity between the appearance of the holes and the skin of poisonous animals, such as snakes, for example, or worms that cause skin diseases, such as passion fruit heel.
People with trypophobia experience symptoms when they are exposed to patterns such as lotus seeds, honeycombs, bubbles, strawberries, or crustaceans.
Generally, people who suffer from this phobia are unable to distinguish situations in which there is danger or not, as it is an unconscious reflex that results in reactions that cannot be controlled.
Read too: Phobia: what it is, 9 main types and symptoms
How the treatment is carried out
Treatment for trypophobia must be guided by a psychologist and/or psychiatrist according to the degree of the phobia and symptoms presented by the person.
1. Exposure therapy
This type of therapy helps the person to control fear, changing their response in relation to the object that causes it, and must be done very carefully so as not to cause trauma.
This therapy must be carried out with the help of a psychologist through exposure to the stimulus that causes the phobia gradually. Through dialogue, the therapist uses relaxation techniques to help the person face their fear until the discomfort subsides.
2. Use of medications
The use of medication may be recommended by the psychiatrist as a way to complement exposure therapy. Therefore, the use of medications that help reduce anxiety and panic symptoms, such as beta-blockers and sedatives, may be recommended.
Read too: Remedies for anxiety: natural and pharmacy
3. Practice activities that promote well-being
Practicing activities that promote relaxation and reduce anxiety can also be suggested by a psychologist or psychiatrist, as is the case with yoga and physical activity, for example.
Bibliography
- VLOK-BARNARD, Michelle; STEIN And J.. Trypophobia: an investigation of clinical features. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry. Vol.39, n.4. 337-341, 2017
