Trypophobia is fear or dislike of sets of holes. A person with trypophobia feels dizzy when looking at a surface with small holes close together, for example a strawberry can trigger this phobia. It has not yet been officially recognized as a phobia. Studies on trypophobia are limited and the existing research is divided between those who believe that it should be officially considered a phobia and those who do not. If you think you may have trypophobia, talk to a specialist.
It can help you find the root of your fear and manage the symptoms. In this Psychology-Online article we show you what is trypophobia and we offer you a definition with images.
Index
- What is a phobia: definition in psychology
- Trypophobia: symptoms and definition
- Trigger images of trypophobia
- Causes of trypophobia and risk factors
- Treatment of trypophobia or fear of holes
- Tripophobia studies in humans
What is a phobia: definition in psychology.
A phobia is a overwhelming and debilitating fear
If a person who has a phobia does not come into contact with the feared stimulus, her life will not be affected, although in some cases even thinking about that stimulus can cause the person to experience “anticipatory anxiety”. If the phobia becomes very serious, the person can organize her life according to the avoidance of what causes stress, the stimulus that is feared.
Trypophobia: symptoms and definition.
Trypophobia is a newly defined phobia, but many people have suffered from it for a longer time. The term trypophobia was coined in 2005 by internet users and comes from the combination of the Greek words a hole Y afraid.
Although it has not yet been officially defined as a condition, a study has estimated that trypophobia is present in 16% of people.
This condition causes an intense fear reaction although "the stimulus is usually a set of holes of any variety that are almost always harmless and seem to pose no threat".
The severity of the fear varies from case to case. While some report that the set of holes makes them feel uncomfortable, others say that the sight of these images makes them feel terrified.
Symptoms are triggered when the person sees an object with groups of small holes or geometric shapes that look like holes.
When a set of holes is seen, people with tryptophophobia react with disgust or fear. Some of the symptoms include:
- Feeling revulsion
- Feel discomfort
- Visual discomfort such as: visual distortions, illusions, or eyestrain
- Stress
- Panic attack
- Sweats
- Sickness
- Tremors
- Goosebumps
Trigger images of trypophobia.
Not many aspects of the trypophobia or fear of holes, but some common triggers include things like:
- Lotus seed pods
- Honeycombs
- Strawberries
- Corals
- Grenades
- Bubbles
- A group of eyes
- Animals including insects, amphibians, mammals, etc. can trigger trypophobia in humans
Causes of trypophobia and risk factors.
The risk factors for trypophobia are currently not known exactly. A 2017 study found a possible link between trypophobia and major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety. According to the researchers, people with trypophobia are more likely to experience major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety. Another study from 2016 also raises the association of social anxiety and trypophobia.
However, it is important to comment that, although there are risk factorsMany people suffer from this type of disgust or fear of holes to some degree for no apparent reason.
Treatment of trypophobia or fear of holes.
There are different ways to treat phobias. The most effective way to treat them is exposure therapy. Exposure therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on a change in the person's response to the fearful situation or object.
Another common way to treat phobia is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT combines exposure therapy with other techniques to help manage anxiety and keep thoughts in check without becoming overwhelming.
Other treatment options that can help you manage your phobia include:
- General psychotherapy
- Drugs such as beta-blockers and sedatives that help reduce anxiety symptoms and panic. It should be noted that the medications have been tested for other types of anxiety disorders, and their effectiveness for tryptophophobia is not known.
- Relaxation techniques like breathing deep and yoga
- Physical activity to manage anxiety
- Strategies mindfulness to cope with stress
It can also help:
- Get enough rest
- Eat healthy and have a balanced diet
- Avoid caffeine and other substances that can make anxiety worse
- Coping with situations feared in the best possible way
Tripophobia studies in humans.
There is no agreement among researchers to classify or not trypophobia as a real phobia. One of the first studies of trypophobia, published in 2013, suggested that the phobia could be an extension of a biological fear of potentially harmful objects. The researchers found that symptoms were triggered by high-contrast colors in certain graphic arrangements. They argue that people affected by trypophobia unconsciously associated harmless objects such as a honeycomb with animals dangerous.
A study published in 2017 addresses those results. They conducted a survey of preschoolers to confirm whether the fear of seeing a picture with small holes is based on fear of dangerous animals or is a response to certain visual features. These results suggest that people who experience trypophobia do not have an unconscious fear of poisonous creatures, but rather that the fear is triggered by the appearance of the creature.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) does not recognize trypophobia as a phobia. More research is needed to achieve a better understanding of trypophobia and its causes.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to What is trypophobia: definition with images, we recommend that you enter our category of Clinical psychology.
