Irrational inexplicable fear of representatives of a particular nationality or simply strangers sometimes turns into a constant panic, stimulated by their own state. You ask, what am I talking about? About one very bad phobia! Friends, in the framework of this article we will consider the phenomenon of xenophobia: what it is, what are the causes of its appearance and methods of dealing with it. The fact is that this is one of the most common problems in Russia today. But first things first.
Xenophobia - what is it?
The origin of this term goes back to the Greek language: "xenos" - unfamiliar, foreign - and "phobia" - fear, fear. In simple terms, xenophobia is hostility (or intolerance) to something or someone foreign, unfamiliar, unfamiliar. People suffering from this mental disorder perceive everything else as something incomprehensible and incomprehensible, seeing this as a danger and hostility.
Is it a frustration?It is interesting that for some time now for most people (mainly for Russians) this phobia did not become a mental deviation, but a whole worldview and generated animosity on the basis of religious, social and, most important, national division. And all this is only xenophobia!
What is racism? Nationalism? Not really, friends. The fact is that xenophobia is often confused with nationalism, but there is a very significant difference between these two definitions:
- people with nationalistic views can not always be negative in relation to other nations, religions and entire ethnic groups;
- xenophobes are able to call their views "nationalist views", in addition, xenophobia in some of its manifestations intersects with chauvinism.
Causes of Xenophobia
General view
This phobia has a more confusing origin than everyone else. This is a number of mechanisms and factors that can arouse the fear of a stranger in an ordinary person. Interestingly, the reason for xenophobia lies not in the biological (like all other phobias), but in the social component of the personality! And all the blame is modern capitalism, which obscures the fundamental idea of the equality of all people in the human mind. This is a common reason for everyone.
Special case
If we talk about an individual person, then the prerequisites for the origin of this mental disorder will be different for everyone. If we draw a parallel with other phobias, then it is easy to guess that sometimes the reason for such a disorder lies in childhood impressions, which have been preserved throughout life and have influenced the child's worldview, and this is teenage xenophobia. After all, it is known that the baby is a “sponge” that absorbs the behavior of its parents and loved ones. And if, for example, the pope has a negative attitude towards foreigners, then the child, as a teenager, adopts this!
Is xenophobia treated?What is this mental disorder that cannot be cured? Remember, nothing is impossible! This phobia is perfectly treated, but on the condition that the patient has shown an independent desire for this. If he realized that such irrational fears very seriously poison his life, turn into constant conflicts with people around him, then, turning to the doctor in time, he will get rid of them.