Triphobia is one of many unusual phobias that many people report suffering from. Triphobia emanates from the Greek words Trypa which means “a hole” and Phobosused to refer to fear. Therefore, triphobia is a description of the fear of holes packed together to form clusters. It is the intense fear of holes that leads to a state of discomfort or a feeling of itching when you see a group of small holes grouped together. Researchers believe that the condition is evolutionary and originates from the association of holes with diseases. Although it has recently become widely recognized through the Internet, this condition has not yet been officially recognized as a mental disorder by most researchers and the diagnostic and statistical manual.
Symptoms of Trypophobia
People with these conditions have reported various symptoms. In the instant of seeing the clusters of holes, they relate them to danger, so they make their bodies react in various ways. Some of the symptoms include sweating, feeling that the skin is crawling, itching and discomfort. Illusions and eye strain are another typical symptom. Finally, goose bumps and panic attacks have an association with trypophobia.
The causes
Previous researchers suggest that trypophobia originated from the fear of some animals with round shapes over their bodies and that they were poisonous. An example of such animals are octopuses and poisonous snakes with blue rings. In that case, people will think they see a dangerous animal every time they see a bunch of tiny holes.
Recent studies have suggested something different from previous studies. Recent researchers have stated that trypophobia could have a connection to the relative group of holes with ancient human diseases. As noted by scientists, most diseases that are infectious cause the formation of many round shapes in the skin of the body. Examples are scarlet fever, smallpox and measles, among many others. As a result of the correlation between diseases and clustered holes, the researchers then supported the theory that the fear of grouped holes derives from the connection of holes to diseases.
Treatment
Trophophobia can be cured by using various therapies as suggested by scientists. During the attempt to cure trophobia a process of desensitization of the feeling of fear of holes is applied. The process is referred to as cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. With this therapy, victims of triphobia are required to desensitize their bodies in many ways. First, they can increase their exposures with the type of holes they fear, this will help reduce the fear associated with such holes. Understanding what someone fears and the cause, along with the damage they cause, can also reduce sensitivity to holes.
Secondly, people with triphobia can use a hatred technique to conquer it. This method of care includes therapeutic schemes and contact. Hate can lead to an understanding of the type of holes you fear, so you try to count the holes repeatedly. Even touching the holes is part of the process. The process is more effective to undertake while humming a favorite melody.
