Algophobia: causes, symptoms and treatment

Everyone sooner or later may experience pain. They are more than unpleasant and even to some extent unbearable. Such moments, when the individual is suffering, will forever remain in memory.

Some people understand that you need to come to terms with this and live on. Others begin to get hung up on this issue and each time excite their consciousness. The torture suffered becomes an obsession, and then algophobia develops.

The irrational fear of algophobia originates from the Greek language: “algos” (ἄλγος, álgos) is “pain”, and “phobos” (φόβος, phóbos) is “fear”. In the dictionary of the Russian language, this word is interpreted as extremely unpleasant sensation.

This feeling is defined by experts as complex and indicates that something unpleasant and even threatening the human life cycle is happening to the body. It is because of this that there is a certain concern. And this feeling very destabilizes the emotional state.

However, if an individual is mentally healthy, then any pain is adequately perceived as something inevitable, which must simply be experienced. For example, removing a wart does not cause violent emotions, since the patient understands that the operation must be performed, the pain will soon subside and be forgotten, and health will remain.

And among those who are among the Algophobes, the fear of physical pain is completely unfounded. Even if nothing hurts them, they simulate future situations, and panic develops on this fertile ground. It can be amplified.

Fear of pain interferes when problems begin. They interfere with living a full life. A man does not develop, his brain is always busy with some fears.

A fear of pain called algophobia can occur for a variety of reasons. Basically, all these reasons were laid in the minds of people in childhood. Perhaps the young child suffered severe pain associated with removal of the tonsils. Later, when this child became an adult, a negative situation arose that led to a phobia.

The main prerequisites for the development of fear of pain are very specific reasons.

• Hereditary genetic. After conducting research, American psychiatrists found out the following fact: if a parent suffers from such a disorder, then this condition can be transmitted to the child in 25% of cases.

• Social. Such causes are the main cause of phobias in humans. The most predisposed to them are hyperemotional personalities. Basically, these are people dependent on the opinions of others, they try to avoid problems and leave them to themselves.
• There is also a theory of biochemical predisposition to fears. It is due to the corresponding processes occurring in the body, and is determined by the production of hormones serotonin, melatonin, adrenaline, etc. Also, people with various addictions (alcohol, drugs, tobacco) are prone to phobias due to consumed substances that negatively affect the body.

And this theory is confirmed by research. For example, it is very difficult for addicts to pick up a dose of anesthesia because narcotic substances contain painkillers. The body quickly gets used to them, and as a result, it then reacts poorly to anesthesia.

• Psychological reasons. They largely depend on the behavior of a person and on his character.

Let's look at some examples:

• low self-esteem, self-criticism, negativity in relation to one's self;
• vision of the future in gray and black colors;
• in the immediate environment there are negative conditions and relationships with people around;
• isolation from public life, stressful situations (divorce, loss of loved ones, illness);
• high demands on your personality, increased feelings of justice and responsibility;
• chronic fatigue syndrome.

Phobias interfere with life, as a person’s physical condition suffers due to various psychological problems. As a result of panic attacks, the general background of health unambiguously changes. Negative emotions provoke disruptions in the work of the whole organism, and then the following symptoms appear:

• heavy sweating;
• tremor of limbs;
• malfunctioning of the respiratory system;
• the pulse quickens;
• pressure rises;
• possible fainting;
• discoloration of the skin.

These manifestations are not only unpleasant, but also life-threatening.

therefore it is necessary to take measures to eliminate panic attacks. And algophobia is no exception.

Various methods related to psychology and psychocorrection will help get rid of increased emotional dependence. Specialists connect psychotherapy and pharmacological approach in the treatment of algophobia.

The treatment of fear of pain is directly related to anesthetics. Some people have an increased pain threshold.To eliminate discomfort in this category of patients, need a special approach to the selection of medicines. And here the joint work of the therapist and therapist is required.

To carry out the first steps, it is necessary to identify and understand the reason why this disease arose. And if the case is quite neglected, then you need to start with pharmacology. The drugs are prescribed only by a doctor who has the appropriate education.

But if you do not conduct additional psychotherapy, then after the cancellation of drugs, the problem may return with a new force. Therefore, you need the right choice of a specialist. He must have the appropriate experience and diploma.

Therapist may also prescribe you physiotherapy: electric current, wave radiation, heat have a beneficial effect on the restoration of the human psyche. Help with frequent fears and water treatments. A visit to the pool and special water exercises well eliminate fatigue and obsessive states. If this practice is not possible, then use an ordinary shower or bath with warm water.

The sessions of relaxing massage, which should be carried out by an experienced specialist, will also help in this matter.

In addition, there are common ways that will surely help you get rid of algophobia.

• You need to be able to track the manifestations of your fears so as not to bring yourself to a panic state. To do this, you need a "card of emotions." We begin its manufacture. Paste a human silhouette in the very middle of the poster - this is your image. Then write your feelings where they appear.

If your heart hurts, then write about it and put a mark. If legs, arms, headache are taken away, then these points should also be noted on paper. Analyze your condition and try to determine when physical symptoms begin. When you learn all this, it will be easier for you to manage your condition.

• It is necessary to "be afraid", that is, try to increase the tension in the muscles. To do this, sit comfortably and begin to tremble with all your might. Tension will soon leave your body with fear.
• Try to portray your fear on paper. Draw your pain. Draw what you see in your mind or what you want (maybe your pain has the image of a snake or a tortoise). Then take this “fear” into your hands and think about what you can do with it. Destroy your phobia the way you want it.
• Move your eyes as recommended by Francine Shapiro. To do this, sit comfortably in front of the wall and select the extreme points. There should be two of them. Think about what scares you and drive your eyes from one point to another. Just do not turn your head at the same time.

The pace should be comfortable, there should be about fifty movements in total. Conduct such sessions for a week, and the level of anxiety will decrease.

• Try the meditation method. So you strengthen your emotional state and can control yourself in any situations.
• Look your phobia right in the eye. These actions must be carried out under the supervision of loved ones. Pick up a syringe and imagine that they will give you an injection. Hold it in your hand and think all the time about how it will hurt you. Repeat these steps several times. You will notice how each time your anxiety decreases.
• Exercising takes up a lot of energy. After a long run, you will think more about thirst or food than about the occurrence of pain. Therefore, do not deny yourself such pleasure. In addition, like-minded people meet at these events, and communicating with new people will help you escape from fears.