Fear of crowds is believed to be a rare phenomenon. Otherwise, traveling by train and flying on airplanes would become impossible for many people.
What is it and what is it called
For people with this condition, life turns into a series of constant tests and overcoming oneself. After all, everyone has to be in a crowd of other people quite often.
Some may not realize that they have such a phobia. For some reason they just feel bad. Occurring among people, this is a signal that can be interpreted unambiguously.
What is the fear of crowds called? Fear of large crowds of people can be called differently. Experts use three terms:
- demophobia;
- ochlophobia.
Is there a difference between these terms or are they synonyms?
Some differences between these similar concepts exist:
- Agoraphobia is literally a phobia. open space. In this case, a person is not afraid of people united in a large cluster, but of a boundless space where he feels lonely and defenseless.
- Demophobia is a term that refers to an overwhelming fear of crowds. Crowd anxiety doesn't just happen when leaving a building. A person can also be overcome by fear indoors, for example, in a store, at parties, in a restaurant, etc. So this term more accurately describes fear of crowds.
- Ochlophobia literally translated from ancient Greek means “overwhelming fear of crowds.”
Therefore, these three terms are not synonymous. Each of the concepts emphasizes the nuances of a person’s perception of reality. Agoraphobia is a very broad concept, although a person who is characterized by a fear of crowds may also fear open spaces. A demophobe, based on the exact translation, is afraid of people, which cannot be fully correlated with the fear of crowds. This term is more suitable to describe the fears of politicians and leaders about the reaction of the people and the collective in response to their actions.
But the name “ochlophobia” very accurately describes the state of a person who suffers from something irresistible precisely in front of crowds of people. Moreover, this fear can manifest itself in the form of fear simply large quantities people located in a small area, and in the form of horror precisely in front of the crowd as a spontaneously organized mass of people.
How does ochlophobia manifest itself?
The problem is that to identify precisely ochlophobia, you need to be able to distinguish this disorder with the wariness that is inherent in every person who finds himself in a crowd of people unfamiliar to him.
Phobias are irrational feelings that manifest themselves only from the very sight of the objects of fear.
In order to distinguish pathological fears from ordinary caution, you need to know the main signs of ochlophobia. A person who finds himself in a crowd begins to feel:
- sudden surge strong feeling danger turning into panic;
- feeling of hopelessness;
- fear of getting lost in a crowd strangers;
- a feeling of hostility towards everyone he looks at;
- diffidence;
- the desire to distance oneself from everyone and everything.
In addition to mental disorders, a person feels and physiological changes. He appears:
- sudden and profuse sweating;
- cardiopalmus;
- noise in the head;
- lump in throat;
- labored breathing;
- dizziness or headache;
- dry mouth;
- nausea.
If a person realizes the connection of the listed symptoms with a large crowd of people, then his behavior begins to change dramatically. He begins to lead a reclusive life, calculating his movement in space so that his path passes through those places where there are usually few people. At the same time, the feeling of caution that manifests itself in deserted places may give way to a feeling of relief and even joy from the fact that there are no more people here.
Gradually, such fears can develop. As a result, a person acquires new phobias, mental and somatic diseases.
Reasons for the formation of crowd fear
Any phobias are divided into hereditary or acquired. The first option is an exaggerated manifestation of some instinct formed in our distant ancestors at the genome level.
Fear of large crowds of people is usually classified as an acquired fear. This opinion is based on the fact that man is a social being. Being among people, he should feel a sense of security. Most people usually have these feelings. Otherwise they wouldn't love mass holidays with celebrations on the streets, in parks and squares.
Typically, ochlophobia develops in those who have experienced:
- fear of losing loved ones in large crowds;
- beatings and humiliation from aggressive and united people;
- too much close attention adults in relation to the child, this can create psychological fatigue from the fact that the child is not allowed to live independently;
- experienced stress of armed conflicts with murders and pogroms;
- fear left over from being in bombing and shelling zones.
The listed options for the genesis of phobias are just examples. Many people are afraid of crowds due to personal experience.
How to get rid of ochlophobia
The first step to healing is getting a diagnosis. If a person realizes that he is tormented by crowd phobia, then he needs to start with introspection. This means that you first need to find out the cause of pathological fear.
Not everyone can cope with this disease alone. The best way out is to contact a psychologist who will help not only identify the cause, but also correct behavior. Its essence is to determine a step-by-step strategy for changing attitudes towards the object of fear. The role of the psychologist is also to debunk the myth of the danger of crowds that the patient has created for himself.
It is better to fight the fears that haunt a person together with understanding and experienced people. These could be psychologists, psychoanalysts, friends, family and loved ones. The main thing is to take it on time necessary measures until the phobia becomes hypertrophied.
For full life in society it is necessary to go through a process of socialization. The world is developing and is constantly in motion. Every day each of us has to face a huge amount of people.
Fear of crowds is a huge hindrance in modern life.
Everyone perceives the accelerated pace of life and huge crowds of people differently. For many, being surrounded by a large crowd is familiar, but for some it causes panic and fear. In critical cases similar situation can lead to phobias that are difficult to get rid of.
Definition of the concept
A phobia is a symptom consisting of the occurrence of uncontrollable fear under certain circumstances. One of its popular varieties is fear of crowds, which is associated with three main concepts:
- agoraphobia;
- demophobia;
- ochlophobia.
What is agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is the fear of crowds of people. According to scientists, this concept is true, so it is more correct to use it when describing the fear of crowds of people.
Agoraphobia is better known as the fear of open spaces, the opposite concept of claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces). It is important to understand how the fear of open places and the fear of large crowds are connected. These phobias have the same causes, forms of manifestation and methods of treatment. Within the framework of such mental disorder
there is a fear of large crowds of people. Unconscious fear is experienced when crossing large open areas without an accompanying person, fearing the sudden invasion of strangers into a personal comfort zone. The main prerequisites for the occurrence of agoraphobia are fears caused by emotional trauma.
Demophobia and ochlophobia: differences Demophobia is understood as a panicky fear of crowds of people: metro (transport) during rush hour, long queues or mass rallies. At the moment of an attack, the demophobe becomes uncontrollable and inadequate, seeing a threat in what is harmless. The media broadcasts daily news of tragic incidents involving crowds, so those who regularly watch television gradually begin to develop a phobia of large crowds. Those suffering from demophobia may experience fear of crowds even at the slightest idea of them. Seizures prevail over subconscious level
, it is impossible to get rid of them. Crowd phobia is a heightened instinct of self-preservation.
Demophobes do not realize that a crowd cannot cause harm, and they expect danger where it does not exist. A crowd is an overwhelming force, and in times of emergency it can cause serious harm to those around it. Everyone strives to get out of the cramped carriage as quickly as possible, to escape in the event of an unforeseen conflict, which creates even greater tension between a large crowd of people.
Under the pressure of terrible news, the subconscious of a demophobe, who is among a huge number of people, considers only negative options for the development of events. If we talk about ochlophobia, it is practically no different from demophobia. Most scientists are convinced that these two concepts are semantically identical, some highlight one: Ochlophobes are characterized by a fear of unorganized crowds. Panic occurs only when surrounded by an uncontrolled crowd of people: a football match, a rally or a crush on public transport. The fear of crowds in this case is explained by the fact that in such conditions people become more aggressive and unpredictable, and therefore more dangerous. Ochlophobes can easily attend various events: watch a play or be in a classroom.
Demophobia - fear of crowds in the subway and other public transport
Causes
Fear of crowds is one of the few phobias that can develop at a conscious age. The cause of its occurrence is a painful experience: traumatic events experienced in childhood or adolescence.
The prerequisites for the appearance of demophobia are laid in childhood, when the perception of the surrounding world is formed. In the future, such a child faces difficulties in communication and socialization. There are also exceptions, when the fear of crowds begins to manifest itself even in childhood. The cause may be severe emotional stress: the loss of a child among a large number of people or excessive attention to him.
WITH early age an invisible distance is formed, which forms a comfort zone. When this boundary is violated by both strangers and close people without the will of the child, an unpleasant mark remains in the consciousness. Already an adult, if people approach close quarters The subconscious can signal the emergence of danger.
Symptoms
There are many manifestations of crowd fear. From a psychological point of view, taking care of your belongings in crowded places, remaining cautious and prudent - all this is called a defensive reaction. You can recognize the presence of a real phobia of crowds by physical and mental symptoms. TO physical symptoms include:
- increased heart rate;
- increased blood pressure;
- worsening breathing;
- profuse sweating;
- lack of coordination;
- darkening of the eyes, noise in the ears;
- panic attacks.
The following mental symptoms are identified:
- unconsciously arising thoughts about a possible threat to health;
- fear of getting lost in the crowd;
- miscalculation further actions and routes;
- attempts to get rid of discomfort and retire as soon as possible.
In most cases, demophobes get rid of their fear when moving away from large crowds of people, but sometimes the unintentional appearance of crowd fear leads to serious consequences: fainting or nervous breakdown.
Vicious circle of panic
Treatment
If any phobia is detected the best option Getting rid of it is to visit a psychologist or psychiatrist. An effective technique is psychocorrection. Its essence lies in the fact that the psychotherapist looks for the cause of the phobia and, together with the patient, tries to find the traumatic memory. Different ways myths about fear are destroyed, uselessness is discussed and real opportunity suppressing it in oneself are developed new model behavior and way of living a full life in society.
Not all demophobes are able to admit their problem and turn to a specialist. Self-medication will help dull the feeling of fear, but will not get rid of it completely. A demophobe should try to avoid crowded places, open squares, mass celebrations and concerts.
People tend to gather in groups and create large communities, so for a person the fear of crowds, which is called demophobia, is an unnatural state. Fear prevents an individual from existing harmoniously and expressing himself in society, causing a panic attack, an attack of suffocation, an increase in heart rate and loss of consciousness. The formation of this stable and negative reaction to crowds of people occurs as a result of psychological trauma inflicted in childhood. It also appears in an adult, forming under the influence of unfavorable urban factors.
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Causes
Demophobia begins in childhood, when a child’s personal space is formed. If it is constantly violated, problems arise due to the number of people nearby. Another factor is too much attention from adults who do not instill independence in the child and decide everything for him.
Psychologists are confident that the cause of a phobia is an attack on a person in a crowd when he has suffered physically, emotionally or financially. If a child was once afraid of a large crowd of people, he will spend his entire life, without realizing it, avoiding crowded places. The desire not to go outside appears at a conscious age. The demophobe feels the need to hide from the dangers of an uncontrollable crowd, at home, where everything is familiar and familiar. Fear is a kind of self-preservation instinct.
Demophobia develops when a child:
- Witnessed a violent act.
- He himself was a victim.
- Survived public shame.
- Faced an accident during a public event.
- Witnessed a terrorist attack.
Most people suffer from demophobia residents of megacities. Citizens face daily big amount people, information about terrorist acts and accidents, feel constant fatigue from city noise. For some people environment contributes to the formation of a phobia, even if it was avoided in early childhood.
Types of phobias
The type of stimulus affects the degree of panic. There are two forms:
- Demophobia. A demophobe feels panicky when he is among a large number of people - at parties, in shops or restaurants. It’s hard for him in crowded places and he tries to be there as little as possible.
- Ochlophobia. Ochlophobe experiences panic attacks when being among an unorganized crowd (meetings, street concerts, train stations and other waiting places). An uncontrollable mass is more difficult to control and can be dangerous. Events such as lectures or going to the supermarket do not frighten ochlophobes.
Sometimes agoraphobia is added to the fear of the crowd - the fear of open space in which a person feels lost and defenseless. The combination of phobias does not allow us not only to exist harmoniously, but also to simply go outside.
In the perception of an individual subject to these fears, the crowd appears as a threat to security, as an uncontrollable faceless mass. This phobia makes you expect a non-existent danger and see a problem from scratch.
Symptoms
A person susceptible to crowd fear:
- 1. Disoriented among a large number of people.
- 2. Perceives the crowd as a single whole, without singling out individual individuals; it is difficult for him to consider the differences.
- 3. Unable to perform certain actions when he is among a crowd of people.
- 4. Afraid of losing control of the situation.
- 5. Perceives the flow of people as a potential danger.
A person does not want to leave home and walks along those roads where there are the least number of people. But since demophobe cannot completely isolate himself from society, he feels physical manifestations of the disorder:
- panic attack;
- labored breathing;
- cardiopalmus;
- dry mouth;
- lump in goal;
- high blood pressure;
- cardiopalmus;
- dizziness;
- tinnitus;
- increased sweating;
- nausea;
- lack of coordination.
NAll symptoms appear immediately. If fear is not expressed strongly, a person is able to restrain himself and not show that he does not feel comfortable. All he needs to do is step aside, drink water and pretend that everything is fine. A severe phobia can cause a person to faint or nervous breakdown.
How to get rid
If an attack occurs when a person is alone on the street, he should try to stop the panic on his own. When the first symptoms appear - suffocation, increased pulse, sweating or dizziness - urgent measures must be taken:
- 1. Look around and make sure that strangers are distant and indifferent, everyone is busy with their own business and not paying attention to it.
- 2. Realize that there is no danger and this is just panic.
- 3. Step aside and call someone close. It’s worth talking a little about any topic and distracting yourself for a while. Hearing a familiar voice, a person will calm down, and his internal tension will subside.
Psychologists advise talking to someone in the crowd to make sure that people do not pose any danger.
If you do not fight your fears, a person can acquire new phobias, as well as mental and somatic diseases. The first step to healing is a correct diagnosis. Then you need to find the reason for the fear and figure out whether the crowd is really so dangerous.
Demophobia and ochlophobia are treatable. If the disorder is not severe, you should try to get rid of the fear yourself. For example, go to a small supermarket for a while, putting on headphones and listening to your favorite music. It will create a calming background and give confidence. The next day you need to stay there a little longer. By visiting crowded places more often and using music to protect yourself from outside world The person susceptible to the phobia will gradually get used to being in a crowd and will begin to feel relatively safe.
If you cannot cope with a phobia on your own, it is worth visiting a specialist. A psychotherapist will professionally approach the problem, break it down into its components and find the cause. His task is to show the patient the groundlessness of his fears, to teach him to distinguish reality from fantasy. Using stories about a person’s experiences, he will create an artificially simulated situation and provide an opportunity to experience fear by looking at it from the outside.
If necessary, the specialist will prescribe drug treatment, having registered sedatives. IN calm state people more often experience positive emotions and smoothly transition to recovery.
The usual morning picture of a modern large city: a crowd of people rushing to the subway, to school, to work... Each person can react to such a rhythmic life and a large crowd of people in their own way. So, for some people, the sight of a “running” crowd instills self-confidence and charges them with energy for the whole day, while others react extremely negatively to this, which manifests itself in unreasonable fear and tension. And there are times when fear of crowds arises, such fear is called demophobia. A phobia is a persistent pathological reaction to any stressor that is experienced by the individual as extremely negative. When a person suffering from demophobia begins to have a panic attack, he cannot assess the situation adequately, and he begins to imagine a threat where there cannot be one.
Objectively, crowds and large gatherings of people do not pose any danger to an individual. However, in his imagination, a demophobe generates unpleasant images and situations of what an uncontrolled crowd can do. So, each of us knows what a large crowd of people in panic can do: it is a powerful force that can cause significant harm to individuals. The fact is that the terrified, fleeing crowd is busy saving their own lives, and they don't care about the people around them.
We can cite as an example a large number of negative, tragic situations that are associated specifically with the crowd. Demophobes are quite rightly frightened by long trips to work and back in crowded transport, TV shows telling about terrorist attacks in the subway and shopping centers, a lot of pickpockets in crowded places, traffic jams, crowding in public transport, mass celebrations with a riot of drunken crowds, etc.
Causes of demophobia
The manifestation of panic fear of crowds of people is always associated with some kind of background story. Most often, the reasons for the development of demophobia originate from childhood, since it is at this time that personality is formed and the need for a sense of personal space appears. If at this stage of development any mental disorders or psychological traumas occur, then already in adult life Such a person has difficulties in relationships with people. In particular, this may manifest itself in problems associated with inadequate crowd perception.
As an adult, this person is more likely than others to become a victim of traumatic situations associated with a group of people. If in childhood there was some kind of psychological trauma associated with large crowds of people, then the repetition of a similar incident in the life of an adult is enough for a pathological fear of crowds to form.
Fear of crowds or large gatherings of people may also be associated with nervous disorders, as well as with mental illness.
People walking along the same street, traveling on public transport, standing indoors are in non-verbal interaction with each other. So, looking at other people, a person may well experience different emotions. And the touches and smells of other people often cause discomfort. These impressions can have a significant impact on the feeling of personal space.
Every person has his own comfort zone, certain personal boundaries, which he allows only his closest, chosen people to cross.
Having established contact with strangers and interacting with them, he feels completely safe as long as his personal boundaries are not violated. People with fear of crowds completely lack the feeling of such a safe space, personal boundaries are blurred, mechanisms are erased psychological protection from outside interference. Therefore, they are more sensitive to the people around them.
So, if in childhood a person’s personal distance was constantly violated (for example, rude interference from parents or peers), then as an adult he will feel uncomfortable when he finds himself in a large crowd of strangers. If at the same time he has to constantly interact with by different people, then he feels a strong desire to “escape” from them to a place where he can be alone. If you leave this situation without attention, the individual’s condition will gradually deteriorate, and phobic disorder– progress. At the same time, the tension that arises at the sight of the crowd will become stronger. Such fear will not disappear on its own. If the symptoms appear at least once, they will be repeated more and more often. Be sure to try to help yourself in the ways that are most suitable for you.
Demophobia is essentially a protective reaction of the body to a stressor, as is the case with other phobias. It is designed to help a person remain relatively safe and at the same time maintain personal space inviolable. If a person is overly sensitive, then in order to maintain personal boundaries, he will try to avoid the crowd, while striving for that small group of people where he feels more comfortable.
Symptoms of demophobia
The main symptom indicating that a person has a fear of crowds is constant, fairly strong discomfort, panic when being in crowded places (supermarket, market, etc.).
The attack that occurs in a demophobe manifests itself in increased heart rate, dizziness, and it is also possible sharp increase blood pressure and even fainting.
A demophobe strives to avoid contact with the social environment by any means. At the same time, he feels comfortable only when he is among relatively large number strangers.
A demophobe himself is not able to explain his fears. He can assure himself that, finding himself in a crowded place, he is in absolutely no danger and has nothing to fear, but this does not help much, although it makes it a little easier this state. Such a person is afraid not of an objective situation in the present, but of situations from the past, repetition of negative experiences. There may also be imaginary fears, simulated in the imagination of the situation.
Of course, in a large market or in a shopping center, in places of mass festivities, there is real threat meet with a pickpocket who will steal your wallet. Worrying about your wallet is quite normal, but if you are incredibly afraid of losing it, then correction is necessary.
So, it is quite possible that panic will seize a demophobe in a place where there is no opportunity to get up and leave at any time, for example, in a cinema or in a hairdresser’s chair. Such a person is afraid of being disgraced during a panic attack that overtook him in front of a large number of people; he is frightened by the helpless state in which he finds himself at this moment.
What you can do to help yourself when an attack occurs:
- Experts advise taking a good look at the people around the demophobe for a potential threat. By doing this, he will be able to understand that people are minding their own business, and they are not even thinking about him. For them, he is an ordinary passerby, of which there are many.
- During an attack, a demophobe is benefited by a conversation with an acquaintance or loved one with whom he has a trusting relationship. All you have to do is call him. Such a conversation will distract from anxious thoughts, will give the individual self-confidence.
- During an attack panic fear a demophobe perceives the crowd as a faceless mass. He is not able to single out any individual people who are similar to him. Experts advise at this moment to start a conversation with some person from the crowd. Just ask the time and inquire about the location of the nearest store. Having heard that they answer him calmly and interestedly, a person will be able to more adequately assess the situation. He realizes that every representative of the “dangerous” crowd is a common person, hurrying about his business, and that there is no reason to panic. A casual conversation with a stranger can significantly ease an attack.
- It is recommended that you try to intentionally improve your physical well-being at this time. Pay attention to your own body, how you inhale and exhale. Smooth and enough deep breathing will help you relax and calm down nervous system, put your thoughts in order. While studying breathing practices, a person is able to learn to effectively suppress such attacks.
How to cure demophobia?
You can try to get rid of such a phobia as the fear of crowds of people on your own. This is acceptable provided that the phobic disorder occurs in mild form, or has recently developed.
First of all, try to reduce the presence of traumatic situations in your life. However, this approach is far from the best. If a demophobe begins to avoid large crowds of people 100%, then in this case he takes the position of a victim. There is an increased feeling of dependence on strangers and situations, and the quality of life deteriorates significantly. Although, against the background of eliminating stressors from life, the development of demophobia also stops. This method is necessary, but it alone is not enough to help oneself. Not everyone can introduce strict restrictions into their lives.
Only a qualified specialist can help you get rid of your phobia completely and forever.
Try to reduce the traumatic impact of large crowds of people on you. It is recommended to be in crowds as little as possible. Find “less crowded” routes without heavy traffic. Try to get around the most crowded places (squares, central streets, etc.). It is better to temporarily refrain from visiting cinemas, rallies, supermarkets, restaurants, etc.
If you are forced to go to a place where there will be a lot of people, you need to ask someone you know to go with you. Listening to pleasant music on headphones or an exciting audiobook also helps in this situation. Try to focus your attention on yourself and your own problems, and then the fear of being in a crowd of people will not be so strong.
It would be better if you decide to see a psychologist yourself.
The methods used by psychologists are very different and multifaceted. For example, the modeling technique turns out to be quite effective. Thus, a specialist, having found out from the client details about the states he is experiencing and having analyzed them, artificially models with him various situations without leaving the walls of the office. This technique allows the client to take a fresh look at the object of his phobia, analyze his reactions, and then abandon them and develop new mechanisms for responding to the stressor. Modeling allows the patient to form a calm and adequate attitude towards the objects of his fear.
In case of severe somatic and mental symptoms, the psychotherapist may also prescribe additional medications. Typically, antidepressants are prescribed sedatives, and in severe attacks of panic attacks and prolonged depression neuroleptics are used. It should be remembered that only a doctor can prescribe these drugs. Self-medication is unacceptable.
By contacting a specialist in a timely manner, undergoing complex treatment, demophobes successfully get rid of the fear of crowds for life. The main thing is personal motivation and a positive attitude!
What other social phobias are there:
- Social phobia – fear of society and public actions;
- Androphobia – fear of men;
- Gynophobia – fear of women;
- Gerontophobia – fear of old age or older people;
- Venustraphobia – fear of beautiful women;
- Pedophobia - fear of children - communication with them or having their own offspring;
- Pogonophobia is the fear of bearded men.
Each of us encounters a huge number of people every day. In the mornings, people bustle around on the subway, rush to work and school, some stand in line for groceries at the store. Some people find the fast pace energizing, while others get tired of it. Undoubtedly, everyone in one way or another wants to be an important part of society. But there are people who are often overcome by panic and anxiety. It’s hard for them to be among their own kind, to see themselves as part of a huge world. They are hostages of fear and suffer from a disorder called “fear of crowds.” In another way - “demophobia”.
Fear of crowds is a persistent, negative reaction to crowds of varying numbers of people. In the form of a phobia, it often causes panic attacks, which provoke fainting, asthma attacks, dizziness, and pressure changes. The emergence of such a phobia occurs on the basis of events that took place at an early age.
Fear of crowds - what is it called?
It all depends on the type of stimulus. There are several options for fear of crowds:
- Fear of crowds is a phobia that represents a panicky fear of being in crowded places. For someone who suffers from demophobia, visiting theaters, supermarkets, restaurants, and educational institutions can be a huge problem.
- Ochlophobia is a fear that occurs when interacting with a disorganized crowd of people.
The general conclusion can be drawn as follows: a demophobe will be very uncomfortable and uncomfortable in a store, hospital, theater, and an ochlophobe will be very uncomfortable at rallies, concerts, and on the subway at rush hour. So we found out what the phobia is called.
How does crowd fear develop?
The fear of crowds of people develops at a conscious age. The demophobe is afraid of:
- a large crowd as a whole;
- find yourself in a traumatic situation; a factor in the development of this phobia is moral or physical trauma received in the presence of a large number of strangers;
- perform certain actions while in the center of the crowd;
- lose control of the situation;
- any crowd of people that poses a potential security threat.
We found out what the fear of crowds is called. This is demophobia, which is considered to be a form of an acute instinct of self-preservation. A person susceptible to this fear needs immediate shelter from the outside world in a quiet, safe place. For example, at home, where everything is familiar, where no one will disturb him and no surprises will happen.
Common symptoms of panic attacks with demophobia
Panic attacks that occur with demophobia manifest themselves in the form of:
- lack of air;
- pallor and redness of the facial skin;
- dry mouth, severe thirst;
- intense headache;
- high blood pressure;
- heavy sweating;
- frequent urination.
What is the source of phobia, where does demophobia come from?
Fear of crowds most often develops in average and school age. The following events can cause a phobia:
- a person has become a victim of violence or a witness to mass violence against another person;
- accident during a public event;
- the person had to survive a terrorist attack;
- public shame in front of witnesses, which is a large crowd of people.
For example, a fire breaks out during a theater performance. As a result, there is mass panic, which leads to severe consequences- Some were injured, one was fatally wounded as the crowd rushed to the exit. One of the witnesses experienced the horror of this event and is in a state of stress. After this, as defensive reaction fear of being in crowded places develops; Being among people, a person withdraws.
Types of treatment for demophobia
There are three types of treatment for this phobia:
- drug therapy;
- psychotherapeutic influence;
- hypnosis.
You can try to cope with the fear of crowds on your own, unless the disease has become extremely complicated. You need to start by stopping visiting crowded places. But such a situation means that a person will have to slightly limit his way of life and make some amendments to it. First of all, you need to give up going to cultural places with entertainment and crowds of people. For a while, introduce the image of a recluse and a hermit from the outside world.
But this option is not suitable for everyone. Others will have to overcome their fear and go out in public. At first glance, of course, it seems incredibly difficult, but if you start little by little, success will definitely appear.
You can start by visiting a small store to purchase necessary products. But it’s important to remember: first of all, you need to make a grocery list. Then you will concentrate on the necessary things and temporarily distract yourself from the people around you.
There is another trick that can save the situation - this is having a distracting object with you. For example, you can take music player and surround yourself with your own world. After a while, when you can calmly enough visit small shops, and outings will take place without the presence of panic, then you can move to large supermarkets and shopping centers.
Well, of course, you shouldn’t limit yourself to self-medication, because demophobia can be easily treated with the help of psychotherapeutic techniques. Widely used in some cases to reduce anxiety patient, the doctor may prescribe sedatives in the form of tablets or injections.
Preventive procedures for demophobia
In principle, any phobia today can be cured by a psychiatrist or psychotherapist. But not every demophobe is ready to turn to a stranger, even a doctor, for help.
If, however, fear has already crossed all boundaries, and panic is openly rolling in, urgently go to a specialist for help. First of all, loved ones can provide help. Demophobes have an incredibly narrow circle of trust, so if you are one of this number, be sure to encourage a friend and go with him to the doctor. Help him go all the way to the doctor, keep him safe and show him that you can be trusted and nothing bad will happen to him.
A very popular technique among professional staff psychology and psychotherapy is psychocorrection. At such sessions, the doctor, as a rule, looks for the root cause of fear and tries, together with the patient, to understand the situation in which the patient was injured. Doctors often play out situations with patients, trying on a wide variety of roles.
How to deal with this phobia?
Crowd phobia is big cage, which narrows day by day. There are many unforgettable events in the world, beautiful places and fun moments, but life loses all its charm without communication. First of all, you need to look your fears in the face and understand the root of the whole problem. Therefore, you should not stand in front unreasonable fear. Just tell yourself: “I’m not afraid anymore!”
Fight, fight fear and build your life happily.