In our article we will talk about the fear of change. We will consider the main causes of this phobia. We also describe the signs of fear of change. In addition, possible solutions to this problem will be considered.
Such a phobia can occur in any person. Of course, it will bring everyone only discomfort. Conservative and sensual people are especially keenly aware of the fear of change. Note that this phobia has a scientific and psychological name - it is neophobia. More on this later in the article.
The impact of a phobia on a person's life
Phobia is a defensive reaction of the body. It is based on a sense of self-preservation, insurance against experiences and unpleasant sensations. Therefore, it cannot be said that this fear is a bad feeling.
Sometimes the fear of change allows you to make more informed decisions, objectively assess the chances of success, be critical of opportunities and respond correctly to certain situations. Often this phobia helps to prevent rash acts, which in the future can lead to bad consequences.
Fearchanges in life can add a drop of common sense, as well as pragmatism in assessing external factors. Sometimes it happens that changes become turning points. They change our perception. Therefore, it is very important to take them seriously. After all, some decisions are made only once and for all. At the same time, fear helps not to make a fatal mistake, which a person will regret all his life.
If you look at this issue from a different angle, then changes are a step towards movements in life, some kind of progress. Note that it is possible to freeze for a very long time in anticipation of active actions from other people. Only if you face fear, you can learn to manage your life, set goals and achieve them. Of course, not all steps will be correct, but mistakes are natural for each of us. Like it or not, you can't do without them.
It rarely happens that success and happiness float into the hands of those who do not make any effort, do not take risks. Only after a large number of attempts can you get the desired result. Failures should be taken as moments to be taken into account in the future.
Why should you overcome fear?
Many successful individuals have experienced repeated failures on their way to success. They had to risk everything to get what they wanted. Sometimes it is the fear of change, the fear of the new that paralyzes the will, puts up barriers. Only by overcoming this phobia, you can confidently move towards the future, without fear of circumstances. The fear of change can besignificant difficulties in romantic relationships, career advancement, social life. As a result, a person is already getting used to the routine schedule of the day. He reacts very sharply to any attempts to change anything. Because of the fear of change, a person can deprive himself of happiness. As a result, he remains alone for a long time.
Types of phobias. Names and descriptions
Let's talk in more detail about the phobia itself and its types. For example, what is the fear of change called? If we are talking about the fear of the upcoming future, then this is futurophobia. The fear of new food is called food neophobia.
The fear of making new actions and movements is called ergasiophobia. There is also a pathological fear of the advent of technology. It's called technophobia.
Conservatism and fear of change
Sometimes, some fears manifest themselves in professional activities. Such people who are afraid to change their usual ways of doing work are called conservatives. This category of citizens includes those who have a sufficiently long work experience in one area or a specific direction. It has been proven that this is how neophobia manifests itself in people over the age of forty.
Reasons for the development of a phobia. Why might fear arise?
Now we will tell you why there is a fear of change, we will consider the main reasons below. Note that the root of the problem lies very deep in the subconscious. Possibly since childhood. At some point, natural defense mechanisms simply began to block the path to a new life. At the same time, the feelinga person experiences comfort only in a routine situation and familiar surroundings.
Why might a phobia occur? The fear of change can manifest itself after some traumatic situation, which literally “unsettles”, significantly changed life. Such changes remain in the memory of the child for a long time as an event that changed the worldview. Usually the child evaluates everything that happened before as good, but after - bad. For example, the divorce of parents can affect the baby in this way. It destroys ideals, harmonious life.
Such an unpleasant sensation can remain in the memory for a long time and cause harm even in adulthood. After such an event, a person tries to create conditions around him that will not change and cause discomfort. External influence, regardless of its nature, will be perceived only as undesirable.
Personal characteristics that influence the development of a phobia
Also, a similar phobia can develop due to the personal characteristics of each. Now consider the personal qualities and character traits against which the fear of change develops:
- Rigidity of the nervous system.
- Increased suspicion. Everything that happens is suspicious.
- Hesitation.
- Conservative. Tendency to ideological attachment to living conditions and established traditions.
- High suspiciousness.
- Hesitation. Difficulties arise in the process of solving various issues.
- Advanced levelanxiety. A constant feeling that some kind of danger is coming.
- Lower self-esteem. A person feels inability to perform some actions, changes in life.
- The inability to leave the comfort zone. Man builds a barrier around himself.
- Too much responsibility.
Sometimes the emergence of fear can provoke a not entirely successful experience. As a result, a person gives up. After that, there is no desire to try anything, so as not to cause discomfort to yourself. This happens because the perception of a person is frozen at one moment. This one-sided judgment leads to neophobia.
Fear of change. How does it manifest?
This kind of fear often arises before appropriate situations. For example, if a man has been a bachelor for a long time, then at the moment of talking about a wedding, he may show signs of a phobia. Even if a person in this case does not find any good reasons, he still feels discomfort in front of a new life.
Fear of change can be divided into two categories: fear of change in the individual and fear of change in external conditions. Change entails changes in life (in relationships, for example, with friends or acquaintances). Experiencing fear, a person perceives everything new as an additional burden to which one should get used. Sometimes during such periods, an internal struggle for the restoration of stability begins. The fear of changing oneself because ofimpending changes. The external environment is not as important as the internal control. A sensitive person perceives everything as a threat to himself, habits and feelings.
Phobia symptoms
How does this phobia manifest itself? Its symptoms are as follows:
- trembling;
- stupor;
- shortness of breath;
- excessive sweating;
- palpitations;
- Temple pain:
- heartache;
- absent-mindedness;
- numbness of fingertips.
Such signs are non-specific. They can appear in many other conditions, as well as in diseases. Although they can be used to diagnose fear in a person.
Internal mental symptoms are different. They vary, depending on the person and his reaction to fear. Usually the symptoms range from distraction to anxiety with panic attacks and other negative consequences.
Overcoming Fear
What are known ways to deal with fear of change? We will talk about this further. People who are afraid of change find it difficult to achieve goals and live life to the fullest. Therefore, it will be useful for them to learn how to overcome a phobia. Of course, the fear of change is not treated with drugs. Since they not only do not help, but can also cause addiction in sensitive individuals. Psychological techniques are usually used in the treatment of phobias. They allow you to formulate tactics of behavior, to sort out all the problems piece by piece.
Methods of influencing a phobia. What are the ways to fight?
Fear of change often causes a lot of trouble. Therefore, we suggest that you pay attention to effective methods of influencing this type of phobia:
- Make lists. Every event has its pros and cons. To do this, write them in separate columns. In the process of forming thoughts, consider the possible consequences of change. Perhaps you realize that not everything is so scary.
- Make plans. A person should determine for himself whether he needs to get rid of a phobia. In the process of working with a psychologist, one should analyze all the mistakes that the individual made because of fear. It is worth making plans for the future life, following this list steadily.
- Seize the moments. If plans for success came together, then because of fear you should not miss them.
- Analyze situations. You should be aware of situations in order to understand what a person refused, so that he could receive if he did not have such a fear.
- Look fear in the face. Sometimes turn on a pragmatic mind, boldly move forward, not paying attention to your emotions. Then sooner or later you will be able to overcome the phobia.
- Look at situations objectively. Look at each case from a different perspective. Try to look at the situation objectively.
Small conclusion
Now you know the signs of fear of change, the causes of a phobia, and how to deal with it. We hope this information will help you in your life. We must remember that not everything is spinningaround one event. Life is too precious to be wasted without any changes. Sometimes people themselves complain about an unloved job or life, but at the same time they continue to do the same thing day after day. Such inconsistency in one's judgments does not allow one to take steps forward, to conquer new heights.
If a person lives with the fear of change and new things in life, then he will not be able to fully experience how beautiful this world is. So don't be afraid to take risks and try!
