Do not confuse repulsion or rejection with phobia, something that sometimes occurs in the case of scolekiphobia or fear of worms. We are facing a phobic disorder towards an animal that may seem quite normal to us and that is not very limiting or dysfunctional, since it is not frequent to find worms. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to treat it. We tell you more about scolekiphobia.
What is scolekiphobia?
Scolekiphobia is the fear of worms. It is true that these are animals that you would not have as pets and that the further away you have them, the better. It is true that it is common to feel certain revulsion in the presence of worms, but aversion and rejection is not a phobic disorder.
People who suffer from scholequiphobia feel panic towards these animals because they perceive them as a danger. The origin of this fear has certain logic, since worms are often found in spoiled food or in areas where there is a lot of garbage. Pollution, bacteria or diseases may be the main reasons for that fear.
Symptoms of scolekiphobia
What happens to a person with scolekiphobia? That she experiences all the symptoms of anxiety. From that initial nervousness or restlessness when the body activates in the face of danger to the panic attack, going through dizziness, shortness of breath, palpitations, tingling or a feeling of unreality. All this for a worm?
All this due to a phobic disorder that, although not very limiting must be treated. It is true that your social life will not be reduced if you suffer from scholequiphobia, since it is not frequent to come across worms in your day to day. Nor will your work performance or your relationship suffer as it happens with other phobias, but the presence of a phobia brings consequences on a psychological level that must be repaired as soon as possible.
Because what does a person who suffers from this phobia think? That person knows that their fear of worms is irrational and excessive. And he would love not to have to avoid situations such as a field trip because he did not meet these animals. Deep down he knows that something is happening in his mind to make him feel that panic towards animals that are actually harmless.
Causes of scolechiphobia
Many phobias find their origin in childhood or in the past of the person who suffers from them. Living through a traumatic situation that caused a great negative emotional charge in which worms were present is enough to develop this excessive terror and these reactions that may seem exaggerated to others.
Can negative thoughts generated by worms be avoided? It can be done, but with the right treatment. Because suffering from a phobia also indicates an anxiety disorder. This time it is fear of worms, but the overwhelming anxiety multiplies the fears, some more specific than others, some more irrational than others.
Treatment of scolechiphobia
You can overcome your phobia with the help of psychotherapy. Do not try to do it at home on your own, because phobic disorders hide a background of distorted and intrusive thoughts that must be treated by a professional. Those thoughts that lead you to see danger in worms can be gradually modified with cognitive behavioral therapy.
This therapy, which is accompanied by techniques of gradual exposure to the stimulus that causes the phobia, will help you to transform avoidance behavior as well. And, of course, relaxation techniques are always recommended to reduce the degree of anxiety and nervousness.