Trypophobia: Understand the fear of clustered holes

Characterized by the fear of agglomeration of holes, trypophobia causes a series of physiological reactions in individuals who suffer from the disorder, such as tachycardia, disgust, nausea and even fainting. The trypophobic person feels distressed by real or digital images of holes clustered in a patterned way. To clarify frequently asked questions, see information from psychologist Ariana Krause (CRP 08/17743) on the subject.

what is trypophobia

Trypophobia is the fear or aversion to objects or images with holes or irregular patterns. According to the psychologist, trypophobia is not classified as a disease in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, but that does not mean that it does not exist, as it has real implications for people’s lives.

According to the professional, images such as the bee hive, the lotus flower before blooming and some species of coral are some examples that cause discomfort in people who suffer from the disorder. Ariana points out that “there is also the fear of the cluster of blisters, as in cases of skin diseases such as myiasis, herpes, smallpox and measles that can trigger the same negative physical reactions in those who see them.”

In the next topics, learn about the causes and symptoms of the disorder, in addition to clarifying your doubts about trypophobia.

Causes of Trypophobia

According to psychologist Ariana, “the causes of trypophobia are not very clear, but one of the possible causes may be due to the memory or memory of diseases that have the appearance of grouped bubbles, which side by side end up perpetuating throughout the body.”

Symptoms of Trypophobia

The symptoms of trypophobia, according to the psychologist, are the “discomfort and agitation in the individual who is faced with a certain visual stimulation”, in this case, the holes or clustered patterns.

In more severe cases, the psychologist warns that “panic can also occur, linking fear and flight in response to the disorganizing dread of anguish.”

Ariana thinks it’s worth pointing out that “feeling discomfort when viewing images with clustered holes doesn’t mean it’s a case of phobia. For that, it is necessary that the person feels terribly uncomfortable and that this is disturbing him in his daily life.”

Treatment: Is there a cure for trypophobia?

According to the psychologist, as well as other phobias and types of panic, “the treatment can be done from analysis, or else, in more serious cases, it can be accompanied by a psychiatrist.”

As with any phobia or panic, disorders can be treated with psychological counseling. So, if you identify with any of the symptoms or feel very distressed when you see patterns and holes, seek medical advice.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.