Each of us is faced with a huge number of people every day. In the mornings, people rush about in the subway, rush to work and study, someone is standing in line for groceries in the store. Some of the fast pace and rhythm of life energizes, while others get tired of it. Undoubtedly, one way or another, everyone wants to be an important part of society. But there are people who are often overcome by panic, anxiety at the sight of the crowd. It is hard for them to be among their own kind, to see themselves as part of a vast world. They are hostages of fear, suffer from a disorder called the "fear of the crowd." In another way - “demophobia”.
Fear of the crowd is a persistent, negative reaction to the accumulation of different numbers of people. In the form of a phobia, it often causes panic attacks that provoke fainting, asthma attacks, dizziness, and pressure drops. The appearance of such a phobia occurs on the basis of events that took place at an early age.
Fear of the crowd - what's the name?
It all depends on the type of stimulus. There are several options for fear of crowding:
- Fear of the crowd is a phobia, representing a panic fear of being in crowded places. For an object that suffers from demophobia, a huge problem may be visiting theaters, supermarkets, restaurants, educational institutions.
- Ohlophobia is a fear that causes panic attacks when interacting with a disorganized crowd of people.
The general conclusion can be made as follows: demophobia will be very uncomfortable and uncomfortable in a store, hospital, theater, and okhlofoba - at meetings, concerts, in the subway at rush hour. So we found out what the phobia is called.
Fear of the crowd how is formed?
Fear of a crowd of people is formed at a conscious age. Demophobe is afraid:
- 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 with a large number of strangers;
- perform certain actions, being in the center of the crowd;
- lose control of the situation;
- any crowd of people representing a potential security risk.
We found out what the fear of a crowd of people is called. This is demophobia, which is considered to be a form of acute instinct of self-preservation. A person subject to this fear needs speedy 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 appear in the form of:
- lack of air;
- pallor and redness of the face;
- 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 a crowd of people most often develops in middle and school age. The following events can serve as the reasons for the appearance of a phobia:
- the person has become a victim of violence or a witness to massive violence against another person;
- accident during a public event;
- a person had to survive a terrorist attack;
- public shame at witnesses, which is a large crowd of people.
For example, a fire starts during a theatrical production. As a result, there is a massive panic that leads to dire consequences - some were injured, one was mortally wounded when the crowd rushed to the exit. One of the witnesses survived the horror of this event and is in a stressful state. After this, the fear of being in crowded places develops as a defensive reaction; being among people, man closes.
Types of treatment for demophobia
There are three types of treatment for this phobia:
- drug therapy;
- psychotherapeutic effect;
- hypnosis.
You can try to cope with the fear of a crowd of people yourself if the disease is not extremely complicated. You need to start by stopping visiting crowded places. But this situation means that a person has to limit his way of life a little and make some amendments to it. First of all, you need to abandon trips to cultural places with entertainment and crowds of people. To temporarily 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 reach people. In appearance, of course, this seems incredibly complicated, but if you start a little, success will definitely come.
You can start by visiting a small store in order to purchase the necessary products. But it’s important to remember: first of all, you need to make a list of products. Then you will concentrate on the necessary things and for a while get distracted from the people around you.
There is another trick that can save the situation - it is the presence of a distracting subject. For example, you can take a music player and surround yourself with your own world. After a while, when you can calmly visit small shops, and sorties will take place without the presence of panic fear, then you can move to large supermarkets and shopping centers.
Well, of course, self-medication should not be limited, because demophobia is perfectly treated with the help of psychotherapeutic techniques. Cognitive behavioral therapy is widely used . In some cases, to reduce the patient’s anxiety state, the doctor may prescribe sedatives in the form of tablets or injections.
Prophylactic Demophobia Procedures
In principle, any phobia is now cured by a psychiatrist or psychotherapist. But not every demophobe is ready to seek help from a stranger, even a doctor.
If, nevertheless, fear has already crossed all the lines, and panic is rolling openly in crowded places, urgently go for help to a specialist. First of all, help can be provided by loved ones. Demophobes have an incredibly narrow circle of trust, so if you enter this number, be sure to cheer up your friend and go with him to the doctor. Help to go all the way to the doctor, secure him and show that you can be trusted and nothing bad will happen to him.
A very popular technique among professional employees of psychology and psychotherapy is psychocorrection. At such sessions, the doctor, as a rule, searches for the root cause of fear, tries to understand with the patient the situation in which the patient was injured. Often, doctors beat situations with patients, trying on a wide variety of roles.
How to deal with this phobia?
A mob phobia is a large cell that narrows day by day. There are many unforgettable events, beautiful places and fun moments in the world, but life loses all its charm without communication. First of all, you need to face your fears and understand the root of the whole problem. Therefore, do not become a victim in the position of unreasonable fear. Just tell yourself: “I'm not afraid anymore!”.
Fight, fight fear and build your life happily.