What is Trypophobia? This is a question that many people have been asking lately, as this fear of holes has been gaining more attention in the media.
Trypophobia is a term that was coined relatively recently, in 2005, by Dr. Geoff Cole and Dr. Arnold Wilkins. They were studying images of clusters of holes and found that some people were reporting intense feelings of fear when looking at them.
In this blog post, we will explore what trypophobia is, the causes and symptoms associated with it, and how to deal with it if you are affected by it.
What is Trypophobia?
Trypophobia is a type of anxiety disorder that is characterized by the fear of clusters of small holes. It is not an officially recognized phobia, but it has been gaining more attention in recent years.
While trypophobia is not currently recognized by the American Psychiatric Association as an official diagnosis in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), it is something that more and more people are becoming aware of.
If you have trypophobia, you may experience intense feelings of fear or disgust when looking at repetitive patterns or clusters of closely packed holes. These holes can be in any object, but they are often found in nature, such as in honeycombs or lotus flowers.
Trypophobia Origins
The term “trypophobia” was coined in 2005 by Dr. Geoff Cole and Dr. Arnold Wilkins, who were studying images of clusters of closely packed holes and found that some people were reporting feeling intense and disproportionate fear when looking at them.
As many as 17% of children and adults around the world may have trypophobia, although it’s not yet recognized as an official phobia by the American Psychiatric Association.
Why isn’t Trypophobia recognized by the APA?
It’s been surmised that the American Psychiatric Association may not recognize trypophobia as an official phobia due to the fact that it is often considered to be more of a “disgust” response, rather than an outright fear response.
There is some debate as to whether trypophobia should be considered a true phobia, as the reaction is often more of disgust or unease, rather than an intense fear. However, for those who do experience trypophobic reactions, the fear can be very real and debilitating.
If you think you may have trypophobia, it’s important to seek professional medical advice from someone who can help you understand your symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan. The psychologists at Mindflow Recovery specialize in an array of mental disorders and can provide you with the support and resources you need to manage your trypophobia. Contact us today at 833-957-2690 to learn more!
What Causes Trypophobia?
While the exact cause of trypophobia is unknown, there are several theories as to why some people may be affected by it.
Although there is still much research to be done on trypophobia, Cole and Wilkins believed that it may be related to a fear of contagion. This means that people with trypophobia may associate clusters of holes with diseases that are spread by contact with contaminated surfaces.
Another theory is that it may be an evolutionary response or a natural response as our ancestors would have needed to be wary of things like poisonous animals and plants or venomous animals.
Still, other theories suggest that your brain uses more energy to process images that contain clusters of holes and this may cause a fear response.
If you’re experiencing trypophobia symptoms, it’s important to talk to a doctor or mental health professional. They can help you understand what may be causing your symptoms and provide treatment options. Give the trained psychologists at Mindflow Recovery a call today at 833-957-2690 to discuss your fear of holes and what options are available to you!
Trypophobia Symptoms
Symptoms of trypophobia can vary from person to person but may include:
– Feelings of anxiety
– Excessive fear or disgust
– Sweating
– Chills
– Shaking
– Increased heart rate
– Dry mouth or choking
– Nausea
People will experience some or all of these symptoms when looking at images or videos of closely packed holes. These experiences may also be a symptom of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as well.
If you think you may have trypophobia, it’s important to speak with a mental health professional who can help you manage your symptoms and make sure that they don’t interfere with your day-to-day life.
What are Trypophobia Triggers?
Those with trypophobia are more likely to experience severe symptoms to certain objects or patterns when they are closer to the image.
Some common objects that trigger trypophobia are:
– Sunflowers
– Fruits with small seeds
– Honeycombs
– Cheese with holes
– Lotus seed pods
– Skin from snakes or lizards
– Insects and bees
– Pomegranates
– Sponges
– Soles of shoes
While some of these objects may seem harmless, for someone with trypophobia, they can cause a great deal of distress. If you have trypophobia, it’s important to avoid such patterns and triggers if possible and to seek professional help if your symptoms are interfering with your life.
At Crowniew Telehealth our licensed mental health professionals are well versed in treating all different kinds of anxiety disorders. If you’re struggling with trypophobia, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Call 833-957-2690 to schedule a free initial consultation!
How is Trypophobia Diagnosed?
At this point in time, there is no formal diagnosis for trypophobia as it’s not currently recognized as an official phobia or anxiety disorder.
However, many people who have trypophobic reactions report feeling extreme fear, disgust, or anxiety when looking at visual stimuli of small closely packed holes.
Who is at risk for Trypophobia?
Unfortunately, there has not been a lot of research done in the area of trypophobia, so it can be hard to say who is most at risk for this specific phobia, but it seems to affect more females than males.
Experts believe that people with other anxiety disorders, phobias, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder may be more likely to experience trypophobic reactions.
How is Trypophobia Treated?
There is no formal diagnosis for trypophobia as it’s not currently recognized as an official phobia or anxiety disorder. However, most mental health professionals provide treatment for trypophobia which is similar to treatment for other types of specific phobias and may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy.
With the right treatment, many people can overcome their fear and live normal, healthy lives without persistent fear. If you think you may have trypophobia, talk to a mental health professional to discuss your symptoms, and start to develop a treatment plan.
Can you prevent Trypophobia?
There is no known way to prevent trypophobia, as it is not currently understood what causes the phobia. However, if you think you may be susceptible to developing the phobia, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk:
Acknowledge and identify your fear
The first step is identifying and challenging the thoughts that contribute to your fear. Once you are aware of your fear, you can start to work on overcoming it.
Avoiding a situation or object that triggers symptoms
Instead, try teaching yourself healthy coping mechanisms, such as meditation or relaxation techniques, or simply taking your anti-anxiety medications as needed.
Exposure therapy
Exposure therapy is the practice of purposely and gradually exposing yourself to objects or situations that trigger your fear in a controlled setting. This can help you learn to manage your fear and ultimately desensitize yourself to the trigger.
Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
Some people may be more prone to developing a fear of holes and repetitive patterns if they have a family history or personal history of generalized anxiety disorder or other mental health conditions.
This is why if you have a social anxiety disorder or generalized anxiety disorder, it’s important to seek treatment from a mental health professional. Treatment can help you manage your anxiety and may reduce your risk of developing trypophobia.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is tryopophobia of the skin?
Trypophobia of the skin is fear or disgust of patterns or clusters of small holes or bumps in the skin or muscle.
Can trypophobia affect anyone?
Yes, trypophobia can affect anyone, but it is more commonly found in women rather than in men.
Is trypophobia a disease?
No, it is not a disease. It is a specific phobia, which is an excessive or unreasonable fear of a particular object or situation.
What are the symptoms of trypophobia?
The main symptom of trypophobia is a feeling of fear or disgust when you see patterns or clusters of small holes or bumps in the skin.
How long will I need to attend therapy?
The length of time you will need to attend therapy will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how well you respond to treatment.
Are there risk factors?
There are no known risk factors for trypophobia. However, if you have a close family member who suffers from anxiety or another type of mental health condition, you may be more likely to develop specific phobias like trypophobia.