Loneliness is a common problem in human society. Residents of big cities who are constantly surrounded by other people are prone to it. The habit of always being with someone can be the main reason for the fear of loneliness. Therefore, people often have a fear of this condition. To fight this phobia, you must first know its name. People ask themselves: "What is the name of the fear of being alone?". The article talks about this mental illness, which is called "autophobia".
What is autophobia?
Autophobia is a mental disorder, the main symptom of which is the irrational fear of being alone. Feeling of spiritual emptiness, uselessness, panic attacks, anxiety are the main symptoms of autophobia. Especially acute anxiety can occur in people who are alone. Outwardly, the phobia manifests itself weakly, which is why it is so difficult to recognize it. However, knowing its symptoms, autophobia can be diagnosed. People suffering from thisfrustration, difficulty coping with one's own thoughts.
Sick finds peace and tranquility only in the company of other people. The main stressor is precisely the absence of a number of other individuals. The worst outcome in this case is suicide. Autophobia has an extremely negative impact on a person's standard of living. Not everything is so terrible, because this mental illness is treatable. The fear of being alone is not a sentence, but just a frustration.
Causes of disease at an early age
This is a social phobia, so its origins must be sought in childhood. Mental illness tends to carry over into adulthood. Parents should take note that due to their improper upbringing, the child may experience serious mental trauma. The fear of loneliness, which originates in childhood, is the most difficult to cure.
The main causes of the disease are:
- Parental negligence. If the baby was often left alone, then he will have a fear that adults may not return. Words often hurt more than actions, so threats to send a child to an orphanage can damage his mental development. And these thoughts will lead to the fact that he will begin to think that his parents want to get rid of him. Therefore, the child's fear of being left alone can develop into autophobia.
- Unadapted to life. Overprotection is also harmful to the child. Because of her, he may never become an independent and mature person. Alone, he will be lost and afraid of this state. This is especially threateningfamilies with one child.
- Uncertainty in one's own abilities, manifested at an early age. Children who are prone to this character trait are afraid of loneliness almost from birth. Such babies can throw a tantrum if adults leave them for a short time. They can be obsessive as they get older. And all because of the fear of being alone.
- Teen problems. Children's minds are fragile. Problems during adolescence can negatively affect a person's mental state.
Causes of autophobia in adulthood
It's not just childhood trauma that causes phobias. In mature individuals, it can appear as a result of various psychological traumas. There are many reasons why doctors record the development of a disease in a patient. These most often include the following:
- Loss or betrayal of a loved one. Not everyone can survive such mental trauma. And if a person is unable to cope or does not get help when he needs it, then the risk of the disease is high. The fear of being alone is terrible for weak women.
- Negative experience of loneliness. Lack of support during periods of life's difficulties (for example, during a serious illness or lack of money) and indifference from others are the main reasons for the fear of loneliness for an adult. Stressful situations are easier to deal with together than alone.
- Low social status. Unnecessary people often sufferautophobia. Public recognition, as well as the stereotypes associated with it, drive people into certain limits. The society is formed in such a way that a person without a family is considered somehow inferior. And such opinions are extremely painful for a lonely person.
- Lack of true friends and lack of love. Lack of companions can be caused by the fact that a person is shy. This also applies to the fact that some find it difficult to find their soul mate. And this will inevitably lead to the development of a fear of loneliness.
- Dependency and weakness of character. People who are not ready to take responsibility for their actions are used to always being close to a stronger personality. Loneliness is scary for them to such an extent that they are ready to accept help from anyone. And the absence of a savior nearby will cause them anxiety and fear. The fear of being alone at home at night is especially strong.
Characterization of autophobes
In order to avoid painful loneliness, a person behaves in a certain way. You may notice the following factors:
- Addicted to various drugs. A person thinks that alcohol, cigarettes and other psychotropic substances will help him cope with the problem.
- Excessive internet chatting with strangers.
- Other people act as so-called saviors for him.
- Anxiety and anxiety when there are no people nearby.
It is difficult for a person to live without social contacts. Some people need communication more than others. Such people are looking for ways to escape from theirloneliness. Sometimes they find salvation on the Internet, but only this is fraught with negative consequences. Nothing can replace live communication, but virtual networks are becoming a salvation for people suffering from autophobia. It would be better for them to search the Internet for the name of a phobia of fear of being alone, and start treating the disease.
Symptoms of autophobia
Constant violent crying and tantrums can be the first signs of a child's fear of being alone when their mother is not around. Autophobic teens associate with bad company to numb their fear. Mature individuals may be afraid to enter into a serious relationship because of the fear of being abandoned. A constant feeling of jealousy, the inability to let go of an already grown child are signs of autophobia in an adult. Symptoms of low self-esteem and fear of loneliness are similar. Do not rush to a diagnosis: only a psychologist can accurately establish it.
With the development of the disease, inappropriate behavior of the individual becomes more and more noticeable. The following signs appear:
- low self-esteem;
- mental anxiety;
- strive for constant communication;
- panic attacks;
- boredom;
- excessive demands;
- blackmail suicide;
- absent-mindedness;
- rapid heartbeat and breathing;
- suicidal thoughts.
Autophobia breaks the life of not only the patient, but also the people around him. Because of the fear of being alone at home, mothers may not let their children go. Behaviorsuch women are becoming more powerful every day.
Communication
He althy people face autophobes in life. Patients need to unobtrusively explain what the fear of being alone at home is called. When dealing with such people, one must be extremely careful in words and actions. They are very vulnerable, and every word at their own expense can be taken negatively. But it is worth understanding that they are manipulators, without realizing it. Autophobes sometimes use others to avoid their loneliness. The best help from others will be a recommendation to visit a doctor.
Autophobia in women
For a female, the fear of being alone is terrible. This is about interpersonal relationships. Women are afraid: to be alone, not to find a worthy husband, not to give birth to a child, to lose their beauty with age. And to avoid this, they rush into any relationship that could harm them in the future. Because of this, the fear of loneliness only intensifies. Uncertainty in their own abilities forces such women to hide behind the backs of strong personalities. Sometimes even such relationships do not bring happiness. Then the fear of being alone becomes even stronger.
How can a woman avoid loneliness?
To overcome the fear of being alone, a woman must accept the fact that she can be alone. It is necessary to start the fight against autophobia with the idea that a person is not obliged to anyone. If a woman does not yet have a second half, this should not frighten her much, since stereotypes should not affect a person. We must realize that relationships with another person consist of care and love, and not obligations. If the fight against the disease becomes unbearable, then it is best to consult a psychologist.
How to fight on your own?
At the initial stage of the disease, you can cope without the intervention of a psychologist. The patient must begin with his own way of thinking and living. A person must accept his loneliness and realize that each individual is a unique person. The main thing is patience. It is recommended to get carried away with something, meet interesting people or change the situation. Traveling is also good for dealing with feelings of loneliness. But the most important thing is self-improvement. Meditation and awareness of the disease will help to cope with negative thoughts.
Psychologist help with illness
If you can’t cope on your own, then you need to contact a specialist. According to psychotherapists, they interfere with solving the problem:
- irresponsibility;
- selfishness;
- intolerance and pickiness towards others.
The process of recovery requires the diligence of not only the specialist, but also the patient. It depends on the personal qualities of the patient how quickly he can recover. The doctor will analyze the mental state of the patient, as well as voice the causes of the disease. The doctor will teach the autophobe to think logically and see himself from the outside. Breathing exercises can help with panic attacks. Group psychotherapy works well with the disease. In extreme cases, the specialist may prescribeantidepressants, as fear of being alone is a common cause of suicide.
Conclusion
Man is a social being, so he needs constant communication. There must be meaning in his life. Autophobia is not a sentence. It's normal for people to be afraid of being alone. But it is not good when a person suffers greatly, being alone. Knowing the causes and symptoms of the disease, you can cure it. Experts will help with this.
