Phobia of holes in body
Triggers, Causes, Treatment, and More
Trypophobia refers to a strong fear or disgust of closely packed holes. The name, first introduced on a web forum in 2005, combines the Greek words “trypa” (punching or drilling holes) and “phobia” (fear or aversion).
People who have this phobia typically feel queasy, disgusted, and distressed when looking at surfaces that have small holes gathered close together or clustered into a pattern.
Experts don’t yet officially recognize trypophobia as a specific phobia. Studies exploring this phobia remain limited, and existing research hasn’t reached a conclusion on whether to consider trypophobia a unique mental health condition.
That said, there are plenty of anecdotal reports of people experiencing trypophobia.
Read on to learn more about the fear of holes, including potential triggers, causes, and how to get support when it causes extreme distress.
Trypophobia is mainly visual. If you have this phobia, you might feel anxiety, disgust, and discomfort when looking at things like:
- lotus seed pods
- honeycombs
- strawberries
- coral
- seeded breads
- Swiss cheese
- scabs or lesions on skin
- aluminum metal foam
- pomegranates
- sponges
- pebbled or graveled roads
- bubbles
- condensation
- cantaloupe
- a cluster of eyes
Animals with spotted skin or fur — think leopards, Dalmatians, or poison dart frogs — can also prompt revulsion and fear.
Some people with a fear of holes have an aversion to surfaces with irregularly shaped holes only. They may not notice the same level of discomfort when looking at surfaces with holes of the same size, like those in a showerhead or on a fabric patterned with polka dots.
Others might find all closely packed holes uncomfortable and upsetting.
Pictures of trypophobia triggers
If you have trypophobia, you’ll generally notice feelings of disgust and discomfort when looking at an object or surface with small clusters of holes or shapes that resemble holes.
While you might associate phobias with fear, research from 2018 suggests most people with trypophobia experience disgust — not fear — as a primary symptom.
You might also begin to feel disgusted, uncomfortable, or anxious when thinking about something that has this appearance — if, say, your partner begins to tell you how much they love strawberries and you start to visualize the fruit.
Specific symptoms might include:
- goosebumps, chills, or the sensation of your skin crawling
- gagging or nausea
- sweating
- rapid heartbeat
- dizziness or lightheadness
- visual discomfort, including eye strain, distortions, or illusions
- a general sense of discomfort or distress
- a strong desire to get away from the image or object
- feelings of panic or a panic attack
- shaking or trembling
Scientific evidence has yet to pinpoint a clear cause of trypophobia, but there are a few potential explanations.
Some experts theorize this fear of closely-packed holes may develop as an extension of a biological fear of venomous or otherwise dangerous creatures.
Researchers who analyzed images that produced an anxiety response in people with trypophobia found that high contrast colors in a certain graphic arrangement tended to trigger anxiety, disgust, and other symptoms.
They also found that images of certain highly dangerous animals, including the king cobra, deathstalker scorpion, and blue-ringed octopus, shared certain spectral properties with the trypophobic images. Spectral properties refer to subtle things, like contrast and spatial frequency, that can impact how your eyes and brain take in images.
The fear of holes, then, may be less a fear of holes and more an unconscious association of harmless items (like lotus seed pods) with feared animals (like a blue-ringed octopus) because they share certain spectral features.
In other words, trypophobia may stem from your evolved ability to detect threats in your environment.
Many people with trypophobia also experience a strong aversion to scabs, pockmarks, or other patterns of rashes and skin markings, leading some experts to link this phobia to another evolutionary response: the drive to avoid germs or contagious skin conditions or illnesses.
Other experts aren’t so sure
In one 2017 study involving 94 preschoolers, who typically don’t have the same fear of snakes and spiders as older children and adults, researchers showed 4-year-olds several sets of images:
- trypophobic images featuring small holes
- images and line drawings of venomous animals
- images and line drawings of nonvenomous animals
According to the results, children who experienced distress when looking at trypophobic images also experienced distress when looking at color images of venomous animals — but not when looking at the line drawings of the same animals.
Study authors believe these results support the idea that trypophobia relates only to the unique spectral characteristics shared by certain animals and clusters or patterns of holes, rather than an unconscious fear of dangerous creatures.
They do, however, note the need for more research exploring the fear of holes.
Again, research on trypophobia remains in the early stages, so experts aren’t yet certain exactly what factors can increase your chances of developing a fear of holes.
That said, it’s not uncommon for a phobia to begin after an unpleasant or distressing event with the object of the phobia.
Based on the potential causes of trypophobia, it’s possible your aversion could begin after an encounter with a venomous snake, exposure to a contagious skin condition, or another trypophobia trigger.
One 2017 study found a possible link between trypophobia and major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Study authors surveyed 195 adult members of a trypophobia support group and found that:
- 19 percent of participants had a diagnosis of major depression, and an additional 8.7 percent believed they could have major depression
- 17.4 percent of participants had a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, while an additional 11.
8 percent believed they could have GAD - Many participants reported other mental health diagnoses, including social anxiety (8.2 percent) and panic disorder (6.2 percent)
Research from 2016 also noted a link between social anxiety and trypophobia, suggesting that for people with social anxiety, the fear of holes could in fact be a fear of eyes, or the human gaze. Seeing clusters of holes might provoke the sensation of many pairs of eyes gazing back at you, leading to distress and discomfort.
You also have a higher chance of developing any phobia if you have a family history of anxiety conditions and phobias in particular.
Only mental health professionals can diagnose phobias, like a fear of holes. Since there’s no official diagnosis of trypophobia, a therapist won’t diagnose trypophobia specifically.
All the same, they can certainly recognize when the appearance of clustered holes causes intense distress and offer guidance and support on working through that fear.
They may offer a more general diagnosis of specific phobia.
Plus, a therapist can also help identify any other mental health symptoms you live with, including signs of anxiety conditions or depression, by asking questions about:
- the symptoms you experience
- the things that trigger them
- how they affect your daily life
Learn more about what therapy involves.
Support from a mental health professional can go a long way toward helping ease symptoms of trypophobia.
Potential approaches to treatment might include:
Therapy
A few different types of therapy can help treat phobias, including exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT):
- Exposure therapy. This approach allows you to begin facing your fear in the safe environment of therapy so you can learn — with a therapist’s support — to change your response to the object or situation causing your fear. Experts generally consider exposure therapy the most effective approach for phobias.
- CBT. This approach teaches strategies to help identify, challenge, and reframe unwanted thoughts and distressing feelings. CBT techniques can help you learn to manage overwhelming emotions, including feelings of anxiety and fear.
Learn more about therapy for phobias and when to reach out.
Medication
No medication specifically treats trypophobia symptoms, but a psychiatrist or other prescribing clinician might recommend medication if you experience:
- extreme feelings of anxiety or panic in certain situations
- anxiety overwhelming enough to get in the way of everyday life or keep you from making progress in therapy
- symptoms that don’t improve with therapy alone
Medication options for specific phobias might include:
- benzodiazepines
- beta-blockers
- antidepressants
- buspirone
Learn more about medication for anxiety.
Other approaches
Your therapist might also recommend other strategies to help you manage anxiety and emotional distress.
These might include:
- relaxation techniques, including deep breathing, yoga, and meditation
- spending time in nature and other calming environments
- mindful breathing, observation, listening, and other mindfulness tricks to help cope with stress
- taking time for hobbies and enjoyable activities
While taking care of your physical health may not address your phobia directly, good self-care can go a long way toward helping you feel more able to manage anxiety and other symptoms.
A few tips that may help:
- Aim to get around 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.
- Eat a balanced diet and limit foods that can trigger anxiety.
- Get regular physical activity, if you’re able — exercise can help ease anxiety and depression symptoms.
- Limit caffeine, especially if you’re sensitive to its effects, since it could worsen anxiety symptoms.
- Reach out to friends and family to talk through your feelings.
- Find a support group to connect with other people living with the same symptoms.
Here’s how to create a personalized self-care checklist.
In search of a therapist?
If you’d like to try online therapy, our review of the best online therapy options can help you start your search for the right teletherapy service for your needs.
Experts may not yet recognize the fear of holes as an official phobia, but that doesn’t mean your symptoms aren’t real.
If your symptoms cause emotional distress and affect your daily life, talking with a mental health professional is a good next step. They can help you explore possible causes, triggers, and helpful strategies to manage anxiety, disgust, and other unwanted emotions related to trypophobia.
Triggers, Causes, Treatment, and More
Trypophobia refers to a strong fear or disgust of closely packed holes. The name, first introduced on a web forum in 2005, combines the Greek words “trypa” (punching or drilling holes) and “phobia” (fear or aversion).
People who have this phobia typically feel queasy, disgusted, and distressed when looking at surfaces that have small holes gathered close together or clustered into a pattern.
Experts don’t yet officially recognize trypophobia as a specific phobia. Studies exploring this phobia remain limited, and existing research hasn’t reached a conclusion on whether to consider trypophobia a unique mental health condition.
That said, there are plenty of anecdotal reports of people experiencing trypophobia.
Read on to learn more about the fear of holes, including potential triggers, causes, and how to get support when it causes extreme distress.
Trypophobia is mainly visual. If you have this phobia, you might feel anxiety, disgust, and discomfort when looking at things like:
- lotus seed pods
- honeycombs
- strawberries
- coral
- seeded breads
- Swiss cheese
- scabs or lesions on skin
- aluminum metal foam
- pomegranates
- sponges
- pebbled or graveled roads
- bubbles
- condensation
- cantaloupe
- a cluster of eyes
Animals with spotted skin or fur — think leopards, Dalmatians, or poison dart frogs — can also prompt revulsion and fear.
Some people with a fear of holes have an aversion to surfaces with irregularly shaped holes only. They may not notice the same level of discomfort when looking at surfaces with holes of the same size, like those in a showerhead or on a fabric patterned with polka dots.
Others might find all closely packed holes uncomfortable and upsetting.
Pictures of trypophobia triggers
If you have trypophobia, you’ll generally notice feelings of disgust and discomfort when looking at an object or surface with small clusters of holes or shapes that resemble holes.
While you might associate phobias with fear, research from 2018 suggests most people with trypophobia experience disgust — not fear — as a primary symptom.
You might also begin to feel disgusted, uncomfortable, or anxious when thinking about something that has this appearance — if, say, your partner begins to tell you how much they love strawberries and you start to visualize the fruit.
Specific symptoms might include:
- goosebumps, chills, or the sensation of your skin crawling
- gagging or nausea
- sweating
- rapid heartbeat
- dizziness or lightheadness
- visual discomfort, including eye strain, distortions, or illusions
- a general sense of discomfort or distress
- a strong desire to get away from the image or object
- feelings of panic or a panic attack
- shaking or trembling
Scientific evidence has yet to pinpoint a clear cause of trypophobia, but there are a few potential explanations.
Some experts theorize this fear of closely-packed holes may develop as an extension of a biological fear of venomous or otherwise dangerous creatures.
Researchers who analyzed images that produced an anxiety response in people with trypophobia found that high contrast colors in a certain graphic arrangement tended to trigger anxiety, disgust, and other symptoms.
They also found that images of certain highly dangerous animals, including the king cobra, deathstalker scorpion, and blue-ringed octopus, shared certain spectral properties with the trypophobic images. Spectral properties refer to subtle things, like contrast and spatial frequency, that can impact how your eyes and brain take in images.
The fear of holes, then, may be less a fear of holes and more an unconscious association of harmless items (like lotus seed pods) with feared animals (like a blue-ringed octopus) because they share certain spectral features.
In other words, trypophobia may stem from your evolved ability to detect threats in your environment.
Many people with trypophobia also experience a strong aversion to scabs, pockmarks, or other patterns of rashes and skin markings, leading some experts to link this phobia to another evolutionary response: the drive to avoid germs or contagious skin conditions or illnesses.
Other experts aren’t so sure
In one 2017 study involving 94 preschoolers, who typically don’t have the same fear of snakes and spiders as older children and adults, researchers showed 4-year-olds several sets of images:
- trypophobic images featuring small holes
- images and line drawings of venomous animals
- images and line drawings of nonvenomous animals
According to the results, children who experienced distress when looking at trypophobic images also experienced distress when looking at color images of venomous animals — but not when looking at the line drawings of the same animals.
Study authors believe these results support the idea that trypophobia relates only to the unique spectral characteristics shared by certain animals and clusters or patterns of holes, rather than an unconscious fear of dangerous creatures.
They do, however, note the need for more research exploring the fear of holes.
Again, research on trypophobia remains in the early stages, so experts aren’t yet certain exactly what factors can increase your chances of developing a fear of holes.
That said, it’s not uncommon for a phobia to begin after an unpleasant or distressing event with the object of the phobia.
Based on the potential causes of trypophobia, it’s possible your aversion could begin after an encounter with a venomous snake, exposure to a contagious skin condition, or another trypophobia trigger.
One 2017 study found a possible link between trypophobia and major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Study authors surveyed 195 adult members of a trypophobia support group and found that:
- 19 percent of participants had a diagnosis of major depression, and an additional 8.7 percent believed they could have major depression
- 17.4 percent of participants had a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, while an additional 11.
8 percent believed they could have GAD - Many participants reported other mental health diagnoses, including social anxiety (8.2 percent) and panic disorder (6.2 percent)
Research from 2016 also noted a link between social anxiety and trypophobia, suggesting that for people with social anxiety, the fear of holes could in fact be a fear of eyes, or the human gaze. Seeing clusters of holes might provoke the sensation of many pairs of eyes gazing back at you, leading to distress and discomfort.
You also have a higher chance of developing any phobia if you have a family history of anxiety conditions and phobias in particular.
Only mental health professionals can diagnose phobias, like a fear of holes. Since there’s no official diagnosis of trypophobia, a therapist won’t diagnose trypophobia specifically.
All the same, they can certainly recognize when the appearance of clustered holes causes intense distress and offer guidance and support on working through that fear.
They may offer a more general diagnosis of specific phobia.
Plus, a therapist can also help identify any other mental health symptoms you live with, including signs of anxiety conditions or depression, by asking questions about:
- the symptoms you experience
- the things that trigger them
- how they affect your daily life
Learn more about what therapy involves.
Support from a mental health professional can go a long way toward helping ease symptoms of trypophobia.
Potential approaches to treatment might include:
Therapy
A few different types of therapy can help treat phobias, including exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT):
- Exposure therapy. This approach allows you to begin facing your fear in the safe environment of therapy so you can learn — with a therapist’s support — to change your response to the object or situation causing your fear. Experts generally consider exposure therapy the most effective approach for phobias.
- CBT. This approach teaches strategies to help identify, challenge, and reframe unwanted thoughts and distressing feelings. CBT techniques can help you learn to manage overwhelming emotions, including feelings of anxiety and fear.
Learn more about therapy for phobias and when to reach out.
Medication
No medication specifically treats trypophobia symptoms, but a psychiatrist or other prescribing clinician might recommend medication if you experience:
- extreme feelings of anxiety or panic in certain situations
- anxiety overwhelming enough to get in the way of everyday life or keep you from making progress in therapy
- symptoms that don’t improve with therapy alone
Medication options for specific phobias might include:
- benzodiazepines
- beta-blockers
- antidepressants
- buspirone
Learn more about medication for anxiety.
Other approaches
Your therapist might also recommend other strategies to help you manage anxiety and emotional distress.
These might include:
- relaxation techniques, including deep breathing, yoga, and meditation
- spending time in nature and other calming environments
- mindful breathing, observation, listening, and other mindfulness tricks to help cope with stress
- taking time for hobbies and enjoyable activities
While taking care of your physical health may not address your phobia directly, good self-care can go a long way toward helping you feel more able to manage anxiety and other symptoms.
A few tips that may help:
- Aim to get around 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.
- Eat a balanced diet and limit foods that can trigger anxiety.
- Get regular physical activity, if you’re able — exercise can help ease anxiety and depression symptoms.
- Limit caffeine, especially if you’re sensitive to its effects, since it could worsen anxiety symptoms.
- Reach out to friends and family to talk through your feelings.
- Find a support group to connect with other people living with the same symptoms.
Here’s how to create a personalized self-care checklist.
In search of a therapist?
If you’d like to try online therapy, our review of the best online therapy options can help you start your search for the right teletherapy service for your needs.
Experts may not yet recognize the fear of holes as an official phobia, but that doesn’t mean your symptoms aren’t real.
If your symptoms cause emotional distress and affect your daily life, talking with a mental health professional is a good next step. They can help you explore possible causes, triggers, and helpful strategies to manage anxiety, disgust, and other unwanted emotions related to trypophobia.
Trypophobia how to overcome the pathological fear of holes and openings
Most of the contemporaries are calm about the external features of the surrounding objects. They are not confused and do not deprive of balance of bizarre shapes, sizes, structure, color and other characteristics of objects.
They do not panic from the lack of perfect symmetry and perfect evenness of the surface of objects. However, there is a considerable group of people who feel disgust, disgust and fear of holes and openings. At the sight of cavities on an object, such subjects lose control over thinking and behavior. The irrational, intrusive, uncontrollable fear of holes that grips them does not allow them to think logically and act adequately. nine0003
Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases (pneumonia, bronchitis, alveolitis, bronchial asthma) and allergies (urticaria, angioedema, hay fever, food intolerance)
Contents
- What is trypophobia in humans: symptoms
- 11 Historical roots
- What causes the fear of cluster holes and holes?
- General manifestations
- Trypophobia on the skin: photo
- Susceptibility
- Treatment of trypophobia
- The use of psychotherapeutic methods
- Research results
- Prevention methods
What is trypophobia in humans: symptoms
trypophobia" .
The problem interested pundits so much that experts at Oxford University took up its study, wanting to establish the causes and factors influencing the occurrence of this disorder. nine0003
Trypophobia - fear of cluster holes
Trypophobia - fear of multiple holes. It is characteristic that a person suffering from a phobia feels a number of unpleasant symptoms at the sight of holes in cheese, a washcloth, enlarged pores on the face, honeycombs and even a bar of aerated chocolate!
All objects that have numerous cluster holes in their structure are a huge discomfort for trypophobes.
Trypophobes are afraid of:
- holes on the human body
- holes on plants and animals
- holes and multiple holes on food products
- holes on inanimate objects: fossils, household, hygienic.
- cluster holes formed as a result of human and animal activity (earthworm burrows)
- graphic and digital images of multiple holes
Honeycombs are a typical example of cluster holes
It is noteworthy that trypophobes are not afraid of absolutely all objects with cluster holes.
So, a person suffering from a phobia may be afraid of a washcloth, but react quite calmly to holes in cheese or bread.
Experts say that this feature is due to the fact that trypophobes are afraid of only those things and objects from which danger is expected , which is directly related to certain causes of fear. nine0003
If at the sight of multiple holes and holes you experience the following sensations , then you belong to 10% of the inhabitants of the planet suffering from tripophobia:
- Skin itching
- Sensation of goosebumps
- A feeling of disgust
- Smallness 9001
- fear that someone lives in the holes
- excessive sweating
- allergic reactions on the skin
- shortness of breath
- pallor
- dizziness
- nausea
In trypophobia, viewing multiple holes causes a range of negative reactions
The scientist came to the conclusion that this fear is based on biological disgust and the fear that someone can live in the holes and carry a certain danger For the manifestation of a phobia, a special push is needed, which, in fact, can be anything. Among such reasons, there may even be 90,034 family troubles.
Historical roots
About 15% of the planet's population subconsciously experiences anxiety, asthma attacks, dizziness and skin itching when cluster holes of biological origin enter their field of vision. The situation is even more aggravated if the holes have any content. There are severe cases, up to loss of consciousness, but such a reaction is rather rare than the rule. nine0003
The majority of people suffering from trypophobia, in the first seconds of eye contact with the stimulus, feel disgust mixed with curiosity and anxiety, as well as a pathological desire to extract the contents of the holes.
Where did this desire come from? All inexplicable things regarding human reflexes and instincts are rooted in the distant past. So the fear of holes has its own hypothesis of origin. It's all about parasites!
All animals suffer to some extent from skin parasites. So it was in antiquity. Man was no exception and was also subjected to their attacks. Primates, our closest class relatives, still have the habit of searching for and extracting from the body of their relatives any debris and parasitic insects. This adaptive reaction served as the development of trypophobia in humans. nine0003
But what about the holes, and even the clustered ones that frighten some people so much? The reason for everything is a small and, at first glance, a harmless bollard fly that lives on the entire African continent. She knows how to quickly and imperceptibly lay eggs under the skin of mammals, including humans. From the eggs, larvae are formed, forming the African tropical miasm in the place of their location.
It looks, frankly, awful. The larva lives and develops in its personal hole on the skin, while several more individuals settle nearby. They breathe and move and have exactly the same look as the scariest pictures from the Internet about trypophobia. The sight of a vast skin miasm is capable of inducing a persistent aversion to clusters in even the most hardened and unyielding person. nine0003
Any behavior of people is genetically determined. It should only be borne in mind that over time, their reaction and behavior in general has changed a lot. If some, very few, at the sight of a cluster of pimples or blackheads, have an irresistible desire to squeeze them out, then most people suffering from trypophobia experience discomfort, nausea or suffocation.
What causes the fear of cluster holes and holes?
There are many versions regarding the causes of trypophobia. Some scientists the following are named among the main reasons:
- heredity
- the influence of insignificant life experience (in children)
- cultural factors
- traumatic events (bee sting, when examining honeycombs)
Psychologist Cole went much further than his colleagues and cited more global causes of such a phenomenon as trypophobia. Trypophobes are afraid of holes only on those objects that are related to the occurrence of a phobia Holes and a pattern resembling cluster holes are often present on the body of dangerous animals The human brain is poorly understood and today it is not necessary to talk about the knowledge of the exact cause of trypophobia and fears in general. Explaining trypophobia from the position of disgust , we can say that cluster holes represent an incorrect picture, they speak subconsciously about ugliness, which is reminiscent of many skin diseases. There is nothing sexier than an experienced mature woman who knows how to use her body. If you also like Russian matures, then you have come to the right place. We have collected a whole mountain of porn videos on this topic. Click if you like Russian mature https://rus-porno.tv/zrelki. Here you can watch how beautiful mature women are fucked in all holes while they moan sweetly and shake their juicy boobs. If you like such a spectacle, then you are the right place on our site. Welcome!. nine0003 It is terrible to think, but about every seventh inhabitant of the Earth sees a real and inexplicable threat in porous chocolate, honeycomb or lotus fruit. The first reaction to the seen cluster holes, in any of their manifestations, is an alarming state. With further contact with the irritant, other signs begin to appear. This psychosomatic deviation can be expressed by the following symptoms: A person suffering from trypophobia experiences a special, piercing, vivid feeling of disgust or disgust at the sight of a cluster of holes or tubercles. nine0035 Because of their ignorance, many people believe that trypophobia is a skin disease, which consists in the formation of various holes on the human body. Trypophobia does not cause holes on the body - this is a myth On the other hand, holes on the body, such as acne, enlarged pores, mechanical damage in the form of multiple holes or even holes for earrings and other punctures - for trypophobes are objects of fear and disgust. It is important to distinguish between simple disapproval, squeamishness or aversion to minor skin defects and trypophobia , in which, in addition to an increased feeling of disgust, there are also accompanying unpleasant symptoms described above. Cluster holes in the skin cause disgust, because they are often associated with diseases 
After conducting numerous experiments on various experimental groups of people , Cole detected trypophobes in almost every one, who had not even thought about the existence of such a phobia before. nine0003
At the same time, scientists do not dismiss the theory that such feelings as fear and disgust can be interconnected and are triggers for each other. General manifestations
Trypophobia on the skin: photo
In fact, this mental disorder is not a disease and formations on the body due to a phobia do not appear. Susceptibility to illness . What exactly will become a provocative factor in the fear of cluster holes is unknown. The strongest impact is exerted by:
- multiple passages of insects or their larvae, honeycombs, wasp nests;
- corn cobs, ripe sunflower heads;
- holes in cheese, pastries, milk or coffee foam, aerated chocolate;
- Surinamese tropical toad;
- geological or architectural objects;
- problematic skin, rashes, acne, enlarged pores, blackheads.
Do not take lightly the first manifestations of the fear of holes. Over time, it progresses, and attacks occur more often. Stimuli can cause visual hallucinations in the form of clustered holes on one's own body. Such visions provoke panic attacks, a desire to peel off your skin or hide. nine0035
Treatment of trypophobia
- Since the fear of cluster holes is not a disease, measures to eliminate this mental disorder cannot involve specific traditional treatment then actions to eliminate trypophobia require a visit to a psychologist
- There is no universal formula for eliminating phobia, whatever it may be, because each person is individual, therefore rehabilitation is carried out taking into account the specific characteristics of a particular person
Psychologist sessions will help eliminate trypophobia
The work of a psychologist with trypophobia is not only to eliminate fear, but also to find out the underlying causes of its occurrence.
As a rule, psychotherapy may include the following activities:
- demonstration of visual images (alternating images or videos showing pleasant images and those that cause fear)
- relaxing breathing exercises
- fear visualization technique
These actions are designed to eliminate the subconscious association of holes with something unpleasant and repulsive, after which the phobia itself disappears.
Visualization of fear helps to get rid of a phobia
If the phobia is manifested by allergic reactions or other conditions (convulsions, paralysis, convulsions), then it is already necessary to contact a specialist with a medical education, and not just a psychologist, in order for you to were appointed sedatives, anticonvulsants. More severe cases are subject to hospitalization and treatment in a hospital setting under the supervision of a psychiatrist.
If you suspect that you have trypophobia, you should immediately contact a specialist .
Even if fear does not cause you serious discomfort, in the future, under the influence of negative factors, it can be transformed into more significant deviations of the psyche, the treatment of which may no longer be effective. nine0003
The use of psychotherapeutic methods
A phobia can only be cured with the help of a psychotherapist. First, the specialist must identify the cause of the fear. Sometimes a specialist works for several years with the same patient, since it is not always possible to immediately determine the factors that influenced the onset and development of the disease.
His work is to eliminate the painful fixation of consciousness on pathological associations. It is necessary to emphasize that the patient is not afraid of the objects with holes themselves, but the cavities of these holes, causing unpleasant feelings. The doctor needs to apply several techniques at once, which should influence the subconscious and cognitive perception.
nine0003
The following areas are used in psychotherapy:
- Cognitive-behavioral method. This method is aimed at eliminating cognitive distortions so that the patient can understand the cause of his own phobia and learn to determine the degree of danger of his fear. During treatment, the degree of fear of objects is significantly reduced.
- Hypnotherapy combined with visualization. In this case, a special video sequence with pictures that evoke pleasant feelings is prepared for the trypophobe. At certain points, stimuli are inserted, the number of which is gradually increased with each session. By the end of the treatment, the person will be cold-blooded about videos that already consist entirely of annoying elements. nine0011
The therapist must also strengthen the protective functions of the psyche of his patient, forming his resistance to stress
Particular attention should be paid to relationships and family conflicts. The specialist helps to learn self-help methods that will reduce anxiety and help the trypophobe with the next panic attacks
Sessions can be individual or group.
If you choose the right methods of psychotherapy and medication, then positive results can be expected in a few months. nine0003
Research results
It has been observed that the symptoms of hole phobia are more pronounced in the afternoon than in the morning. Perhaps this is due to an excess of adrenaline and the desire of the body to use it up.
Scientists have found that all the unpleasant symptoms that accompany trypophobia are a reaction of the brain to a potential danger. It is worth noting that any other phobia causes only fear, while a person suffering from a fear of holes experiences disgust and physical discomfort. nine0003
The attack is accompanied by the release of an additional portion of adrenaline into the blood. This leads to some dependency. A person wants to experience those vivid impressions again and again. For this reason, he seeks to find some pictures on the Internet created using Photoshop. To get rid of such a disorder, you need to break this endless circle and return the individual to normal.
Methods of prevention
Unfortunately, it is not possible to prevent the development of such a phobia, but it is quite possible to reduce the likelihood of developing this disease to a minimum. For this you need:
- Try to avoid stressful situations.
- Learn to control your own emotions and switch your attention at the right moment.
- Practice yoga or meditation.
This, of course, is not a panacea for the formation of a pathological fear of holes, but there will definitely be no harm from these actions. At the first sign of trypophobia, the best solution would be to contact a specialized specialist.
Trypophobia: what is it and how to get rid of it
Trypophobia is the fear or disgust of seeing clusters of small holes, irregularities or patterns, such as honeycombs, plant seed pods, or close-up photographs of skin pores. The word comes from the Greek "tripa" (τρύπα), which means "drilling" or "hole".
Doctors do not recognize trypophobia as a diagnosable disorder because it is poorly researched.
- What is
- Causes
- Symptoms nine0010 How to get rid of
- Trypophobia test
- When to See a Doctor
The material was commented by Ekaterina Kharina, counseling psychologist at the Center for Cognitive Therapy Yakova Kochetkova, psychotherapist, psychiatrist at the PsyMedClinic Mental Health Clinic
Advertising on RBC www.adv.rbc.ru
What is trypophobia
Trypophobia can manifest itself in different ways. Its main trigger is a surface with a group of small contrast holes, bumps or patterns. Some feel discomfort only at the sight of “naturalistic” clusters, such as honeycombs, wormy meat, or a toad that carries fry in holes on its back. For others, even a photo of plastic cups standing side by side, cheese with holes in it, or traffic light LEDs can make them feel uncomfortable.
nine0003
Researchers believe that trypophobia goes back to very ancient human instincts and accompanies it throughout history. However, it was "discovered" quite recently. The first case of fear of cluster holes was described in 1998, and the term itself appeared only in 2004 [1]. Therefore, today this phenomenon is poorly studied and is not an official diagnosis.
In 2009, the Trypophobia.com website appeared, thanks to which, by 2012, millions of people had learned about this disease, many of whom were surprised to find it in themselves. In 2016, American model Kendall Jenner admitted that she suffers from severe trypophobia. nine0003
Terrible clowns and mirrors: the strangest celebrity phobias
Scientists believe that the fear of cluster holes is not a phobia to the same extent as, for example, agoraphobia, that is, the fear of open spaces, or arachnophobia, the fear of spiders. Trypophobia doesn't fit most of the diagnostic criteria for a phobia—and here's why.
© Shutterstock
First, every sixth person experiences some manifestation of trypophobia, although it is quite possible that this phenomenon is even more widespread [2]. This allows scientists to consider discomfort at the sight of cluster holes as the norm. A phobia is a disorder in which a person experiences fear where most other people do not. nine0003
In addition, with a phobia, fear prevents a person from living, and this happens infrequently with trypophobia. “In practice, we very rarely encounter such complaints,” notes Ekaterina Kharina. “For the most part, people simply avoid such images, don’t look at them, and live their lives in peace.”
Secondly, the symptoms of trypophobia from a clinical point of view are quite different from the manifestations of other phobias. In 2018, scientists from the American Emory University conducted an experiment in which they proved that the emotion caused by cluster holes is rather not fear, but disgust [3].
nine0003
Groups of students were first shown snakes and spiders, animals that are most often the objects of phobias. The pupils of the majority greatly dilated - scientists began to consider this a sign of a reaction of fear. However, images of the cluster holes did not lead to pupil dilation, and in some, they even narrowed.
Researchers have stated that fear causes arousal, and pupillary dilation is one of its signs. Disgust, on the contrary, suppresses a person, makes him refuse to act. nine0003
“ICD-10 (the international classification of diseases, adopted in 1990, used in Russia) has specific isolated phobias, and ICD-11 (adopted in 2012) has specific phobias,” says Ekaterina Kharina. - In principle, the most pronounced cases of trypophobia with a stretch could be attributed there. But if we look at the description of these diagnoses, then they rather mean an obsessive fear of some situations or things, rather than disgust. And we often encounter disgust with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
nine0003
I think that there may be people with obsessive trypophobic images, but I have never met such people. If a person feels disgust only when confronted with such images or objects, but there is no obsession, then this cannot be attributed to OCD either.
© maxpixel.net
Causes of the fear of holes
The results of the experiment by scientists from Emory are consistent with the modern assessment of trypophobia from the point of view of evolution. Today, scientists believe that trypophobia is an evolved natural reaction of our nervous system, designed to protect us from the threats associated with infections or parasites. nine0003
If a person is faced with danger, such as a predatory animal, he needs stimulation and strength to escape, so the nervous system responds to such a trigger with an adrenaline rush.
But if a person encounters something unhealthy and potentially infectious, such as a worm fruit, spoiled meat with larvae, or a person with a skin disease, the brain should make him refuse the interaction - that is, on the contrary, suppress the activity.
This is how disgust works in trypophobia [4]. nine0003
Most scientists agree on this interpretation of the origin of this disorder. However, it is not clear what was the original object, the aversion to which has developed into an abstract trypophobia in modern man.
According to one theory, trypophobia originates in a reaction to honeycombs, wasp nests, or burrows of poisonous snakes. Other scientists have similarly associated trypophobia with infectious human diseases [5]. Indirectly, this interpretation is confirmed by a study in which it turned out that in people with skin diseases, trypophobic reactions are on average stronger than in others [6]. nine0003
According to another version, trypophobia is associated with social anxiety disorder, and cluster holes on a subconscious level are associated with faces or eyes that constantly watch a person [7].
It is also known that trypophobia is more prone to women and people with a number of mental and mental disorders: OCD, depressive, bipolar, panic and anxiety.
© Shutterstock
Symptoms of trypophobia
The most common symptom of trypophobia is mild discomfort. Its manifestations include:
- anxiety;
- nausea;
- increased sweating;
- palpitations;
- tremor;
- sensation of itching in various parts of the body.
Despite the fact that trypophobia is not yet considered a disease, in some cases it can lead to serious problems - panic attacks, increased anxiety.
“With a strong degree of trypophobia, negative impressions from the seen cluster holes can persist for a long time,” says Ekaterina Kharina. - For example, a person looked at such pictures - and the next day or even several days he thinks about them. But in my practice there were no cases when trypophobia led to pronounced shock reactions.
nine0003
If trypophobia goes beyond the usual discomfort, people may begin to avoid certain things or certain foods. One of the few reported cases of acute trypophobia is a 12-year-old girl who was disgusted by any porous or sesame-sprinkled bread, strawberries, and noodle soup. She also could not drink raspberry juice or eat marmalade: the sensation of stones or granules on her tongue evoked the same reaction in her [8].
How to get rid of trypophobia
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
The main treatment for trypophobia is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The psychologist helps the patient "replace" implausible attitudes about the objects of fear with more realistic ones, and then change the behavior [9].
Exposure therapy
Another popular and effective method is exposure therapy, during which a person is gradually taught to control their level of fear. As Ekaterina Kharina notes, this is one of the subspecies of cognitive-behavioral therapy.
nine0003
First, in a state of complete relaxation, the patient tells what he is afraid of, then he is shown a picture of the object of fear. Over time, a person may be able to stand next to him and even touch him. Sensitivity and the level of fear are thus reduced.
“Someone may have the idea that he will not be able to bear the sight of such an image, that his discomfort will be prolonged or will not end, that he will lose control of himself or go crazy,” explains Harina. “With exposure, we test the patient’s “hypothesis” that their discomfort persists.” nine0003
The psychiatrist notes that exposure works well for ordinary phobias, but in the case of disgust, this method in the traditional format does not lead to a reduction in discomfort. Therefore, it had to be changed a little: a person is taught to endure what disgusts him, form positive associations and connections in memory.
© Pexels
Medications
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medication to treat trypophobia with antidepressants or benzodiazepines.
nine0003
Trypophobia test
Since trypophobia is not considered a diagnosis, it does not have precise diagnostic criteria. The tests described below are not scientific and involve looking at the triggers of trypophobia.
Japanese scientists have developed a questionnaire to measure the level of trypophobia in humans. It is necessary to evaluate the strength of 17 sensations that he experiences when looking at the cluster holes, on a 5-point scale, where 1 - the sensation does not manifest itself at all, and 5 - it manifests itself very strongly. Here is a list of these sensations:
- fright;
- disgust, loathing;
- feeling of discomfort or heaviness;
- feeling of panic, screaming;
- alarm;
- nausea;
- bodily manifestations of excitement: "butterflies in the stomach", palpitations, sweating, pain in the abdomen, etc.
; - "feeling like I'm going crazy";
- desire to destroy cluster holes;
- itching;
- tickling; nine0011
- goosebumps;
- desire to cry;
- vomiting;
- chills;
- respiratory disorders;
- trembling.
There is no exact methodology for assessing the level of trypophobia on this test, but in the experiment of the creators of the test, the average score of a sample of 582 people was 32.2, and the range of values was from 17 to 85 [10].
There are a huge number of tests for trypophobia on the Internet. Any of them will help to subjectively assess its level to one degree or another. Implicit Trypophobia Measure 0.5a is often recommended. nine0003
© Shutterstock
Trypophobia video test is very popular.
It's very easy to get through. First you need to turn on the video and take a pose according to the instructions in it. Next, you will be shown trypophobic pictures that will become more and more unpleasant. When you feel like changing your position or turning off the video, do it.
There are no exact criteria here either, but the longer you can watch this video without discomfort, the less likely you are to have trypophobia. nine0003
The author of this article had itching sensations all over his body already at the 30th second, and soon a noticeable discomfort appeared. During the editorial experiment, which involved six women and one man, it was not possible to find people with serious manifestations of trypophobia. Their reaction was much less pronounced: some felt a little uncomfortable at the end, but only one woman experienced itching sensations typical of trypophobia.
However, they managed to find one trypophobe: it turned out to be the 33-year-old husband of an employee.
