Trypophobia or the fear of geometric figures together

In “” we like to present curiosities within the world of psychology, always with respect and from the perspective that the best way to make a better, more understanding and more open world is by making it known in all its extension. and complexity.

In this case we will talk about the Trypophobia. It is so peculiar and controversial, that the first question we could ask is Does Trypophobia really exist or is it just a sensation that does not go beyond a simple animosity?

What is Trypophobia?

Tryptophobia or Trypophobia from the Greek Tripo-perforation and phobia-fearis it fear or repulsion for geometric figures very close together like holes or small rectangles. Honeycombs, mushrooms, anthills, heads on lotus seeds…they cause phobia in some people who experience sweating, tachycardia, nausea, tingling, itching and even panic attacks.

Why is Trypophobia so controversial?

The truth is that Tryptophobia is not recognized in the DSM, the Diagnostic Manual of mental illnesses par excellence, used as a reference throughout the world. On the other hand Antonio CanoPresident of the Spanish Society for the Study of Anxiety and Stress, states that has not seen a single case of Tryptophobia in his 30 years of experience as a psychologist…

However, Arnold Wilkins and Geoff Cole They have been the first to study Trypophobia; they state in a study published in “Psychological Science” that “It could be the result of an evolutionary visual function, which developed during human evolution, related to some poisonous animals. For this reason, it is different from other phobias, which are based on the learned cultural component.”

On the other hand, it must be said that many People confuse Trypophobia with dermatophobia or the phobia of infections, rashes or skin lesions, which occur in the eye area and which can cause certain fear, disgust or repulsion.

We offer you this video for you to decide whether or not the images correspond to Trypophobia…

The phobias

The truth is that many experts assure that we all have at least one phobia. In fact there are some 250 phobias described in scientific literature, some that are really striking for human beings, curious by nature.

For example, Helminthophobia or the fear of worms, Tremophobia or the fear of tremors, Anginophobia or the fear of choking… in any case, only a specialist can best diagnose when you suffer from a phobia and how to try to alleviate it or slow it down.

But when can we detect ourselves that we have a phobia? and why do they appear?

1. When our fear is very pronounced and persists over time.

2. When we avoid our fear. For example, we never take the elevator, we prefer the stairs; We never take the plane, we opt for the boat or the car; We do not go to friends’ houses who have animals that scare us in an excessive way, such as large dogs, or we lose a job due to fear of change.

Phobias can appear for different reasons:

1. By overprotection from our loved ones, usually our parents.

2. For having seen other people with a phobia. What happens is that we imitate it unconsciously, we learn to give the same response to that stimulus.

3. For having previously experienced a traumatic situation related to our fear. For example, having suffered an attack from a dog, having been locked in an elevator or in a public toilet, etc.

How can we overcome a phobia?

1. One of the best treatments is expose the patient to one’s own fear little by little, however this must be done under the guidance of a professional. For example, if your phobia is elevators, you can start by just observing it and then putting just one foot, then go up just one floor, but little by little, without pressure.

2. It’s also good give a lot of information the patient about his phobia, about his fear, so that he gains confidence and loses his fear.

3. Of course, the person must be the first to decide that they want to overcome their phobia. so that the professional can help you. Furthermore, it is very important that the person in question and those around them, value every small achievement that is achieved to overcome the phobia.

4. Other guidelines to follow are to learn relaxation techniques that we can do them before going to sleep; We can also talk to our loved ones about our phobia.