Understanding
What is trypophobia ?
Trypophobia is a term used to describe a feeling of disgust or fear of a person against the appearance of a clustered holes pattern. For example, such as bee hives, lotus seeds, pomegranate, a collection of soap bubbles and the like.
The term trypophobia itself is not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), because it has not been officially recognized by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) as one type of phobia.
The naming was not derived from experts who are members of the world's largest psychiatrist organization. Rather it was created by one of the netizen in an online forum, deriving from the merging of two Greek words, 'Trypo' which means hole and 'Phobos' means fear.
Because it is relatively new, research on Trypophobia is still not much done. Plus there are still differences of opinion from experts, whether this is a reaction of fear or disgust.
Nevertheless, from some research results and recent studies in 2017, shows that trypophobia is not a reaction that arises from fear. Rather, the disgusting reaction associated with the evolutionary response of humans to disease or parasitic infections, as in the case of bot fly (Dermatobia hominis).
So it can not be equated with phobias in general such as arachnophobia (fear of spiders), claustrophobia (fear of narrow space) or acrophobia (fear of heights).
Signs and Symptoms
What are the characteristics and symptoms of trypophobia?
The characteristics and symptoms of trypophobia can be easily recognized. The first thing felt trypophobes (ie people with trypophobia) that shudder accompanied by the pallor of the skin and changes in the frequency of the heartbeat for a moment or some time after seeing the crowd of holes.
Other symptoms that may arise such as excessive sweating, hands and feet become cold, rashes and itchy on the skin, nausea, vomiting, headache, difficulty breathing, blurred vision, arms also legs become weak or not powerful.
examples of holes that scare people with trypophobia
When should I see a doctor trypophobia?
Try looking at some hole clusters. If you experience a shudder reaction and some other symptoms such as the above, it is better to hurry to a doctor may be examined, especially if the symptoms experienced quite severe (to difficulty breathing).
Causes and Risk Factors
What are the causes of trypophobia?
While research on this condition is still continuing, some experts believe that the characteristic of human DNA that basically does not like repetitive structures or patterns is one of the reasons behind trypophobia.
Another opinion says that trypophobia occurs due to human instincts or instincts that will naturally protect themselves from things that are perceived as dangerous.
Other factors such as suspicion and past experience where he had experienced a condition that led to the creation of clusters of holes in the body (measles, chicken pox or bee sting), were also suspected to be behind the trypophobia.
Who is more at risk of contracting trypophobia?
Based on several studies and studies of experts, it is known that there is a link between trypophobia with depression and other types of anxiety disorders.
Someone who is easily stressed or has an earlier anxiety disorder, is more at risk of having trypophobia than those who do not have or are good at managing stress.
Examination and Diagnosis
How to confirm the diagnosis of trypophobia?
The diagnosis of trypophobia begins with anamnesis or frequently asked questions about the symptoms, medical history including psychological conditions and past experiences of patients that can trigger the onset of phobias.
Then proceed with showing the patient on some of the hole clusters. For example, such as bee hives, lotus seeds, some animals such as suriname frogs and blue ring octopus. Includes some hollow / perforated images on the hand (read: trypophobia hand hole), legs and face for later observed his reaction.
examples of images that make fear, trypophobia
Drugs and Medication
How to treat trypophobia at home?
Overcoming trypophobia at home can be done by familiarizing yourself looking at the pictures of hollow clusters. The more often you see it, the more familiar it will be to deal with it.
Enough to sleep, apply a healthy diet and a balanced diet, exercise regularly, relaxation techniques and always think positive to get rid of anxiety and strengthen the subconscious mind.
What are the handling and drug trypophobia in health care?
Exposure therapy (exposure therapy) is the best treatment in helping to overcome trypophobia. This therapy is one type of psychotherapy that focuses on changes in the patient's response to certain objects or situations that cause anxiety or fear.
Through the therapy, patients will be trained to continue to interact slowly with what they fear to become familiar (habituation).
In addition, other types of therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (cognitive behavioural theraphy) and NLP (neuro-lingualit programming) methods are available. Drugs such as beta-blockers or antidepressants / sedatives, can be used to help relieve symptoms of excessive anxiety.
Complications
What are the potential complications of trypophobia that may arise?
Patients with trypophobia with anxiety disorders before, may be depressed if only trypophobia experienced is so bad because it never resolved. However, no case reports have been reported.
Prevention
How to prevent trypophobia?
Trypophobia may not be preventable. However, with the adoption of a healthy lifestyle such as regular exercise 30 minutes a day, eating healthy and nutritious food and sleeping 7-8 hours a night, will be able to help control anxiety disorders and the emergence of excessive reactions when trypophobia attacks.