Each of us daily faces a huge number of people. In the mornings, people fuss on the subway, rush to work and study, someone stands in line for groceries at the store. For some, the fast pace and rhythm of life energizes, while others get tired of it. Undoubtedly, everyone somehow wants to be an important part of society. But there are people who are often overwhelmed by panic, anxiety at the sight of a 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 "fear of the crowd." In another way - "demophobia".
Fear of the crowd - a persistent, negative reaction to the accumulation of a different number of people. In the form of a phobia, it often causes panic attacks that provoke fainting, asthma attacks, dizziness, 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 is it called?
It all depends on the type of stimulus. It is possible to identify severaloptions for fear of crowds:
- Fear of crowds is a phobia representing a panic fear of being in crowded places. For an object that suffers from demophobia, visiting theaters, supermarkets, restaurants, and educational institutions can become a huge problem.
- Ochlophobia is the fear that causes panic attacks when interacting with a disorganized crowd of people.
The general conclusion can be drawn as follows: demophobe will be very uncomfortable and uncomfortable in a store, hospital, theater, and okhlofob - at rallies, 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 crowds of people is formed at a conscious age. Demophobe is afraid:
- large crowd as one;
- find yourself in a traumatic situation; a factor in the development of this phobia is a moral or physical trauma received with a large number of strangers;
- do certain things while in the middle of a crowd;
- lose control of the situation;
- any crowd of people that poses a potential security risk.
We found out what the fear of crowds of people is called. This is demophobia, which is considered to be a form of an acute instinct for self-preservation. A person subject to this fear needs an early 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 manifest as:
- lack of air;
- pallor and redness of the skin of the face;
- dry mouth, intense thirst;
- intense headache;
- high blood pressure;
- strong sweating;
- frequent urination.
What is the source of phobia, where does demophobia come from?
Fear of crowds of people most often develops in middle and school age. The following events can serve as the causes of the appearance of a phobia:
- a person has become a victim of violence or witnessed mass violence against another person;
- accident during social event;
- a man had to survive a terrorist attack;
- public shame in front of witnesses, which is a large crowd of people.
For example, a fire breaks out during a theater production. As a result, there is widespread panic, which 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 that, as a defensive reaction, the fear of being in crowded places develops; being among people, a person becomes isolated.
Types of treatment for demophobia
There are three treatments for this phobia:
- drug therapy;
- psychotherapeuticimpact;
- hypnosis.
You can try to cope with the fear of a crowd of people on your own, if the disease has not become extremely complicated. You need to start by stopping visiting crowded places. But such a situation means that a person will have to slightly limit his way of life and make some amendments to it. First of all, you need to abandon trips to cultural places with entertainment and crowds of people. For a while, 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 go out in public. On the surface, of course, it seems incredibly difficult, but if you start little by little, success will definitely appear.
You can start by visiting a small shop in order to purchase the necessary products. But it is important to remember: first of all, you need to make a list of products. Then you will concentrate on the necessary things and distract yourself from the people around you for a while.
There is one more trick that can save the day - this is the presence of a distracting object. For example, you can take a music player and surround yourself with your own world. After a while, when you can already visit small shops calmly enough, and attacks will take place without the presence of panic fear, then you can move to large supermarkets and shopping centers.
Well, of course, self-treatment should not be limited, because demophobia is excellenttreated with the help of psychotherapeutic techniques. Cognitive behavioral therapy is widely used. In some cases, to reduce the patient's anxiety, the doctor may prescribe sedatives in the form of tablets or injections.
Preventive procedures for demophobia
In principle, any phobia today is 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 boundaries, and panic openly rolls in crowded places, urgently go for help to a specialist. First of all, relatives can help. Demophobes have an incredibly narrow circle of trust, so if you are one of this number, be sure to cheer up a friend and go with him to the doctor. Help make it all the way to the doctor, keep him safe 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, looks for the root cause of fear, tries, together with the patient, to understand the situation in which the patient was injured. Doctors often act out situations with patients, trying on a variety of roles.
How to deal with this phobia?
Mob phobia is a big cage that shrinks day by day. There are many unforgettable events, beautiful places and fun moments in the world, but life loses all its charm without communication. FirstThe turn is to face your fears and understand the root of the problem. Therefore, you should not become a victim of unreasonable fear. Just tell yourself: “I'm not afraid anymore!”
Fight, fight fear and build your life happily.
