The Microphobia Is the irrational and excessive fear of things that are very small. A good example of this type of phobia is the fear of germs. The fact that the germs are so small that it is impossible to see them plays an important role in the anxiety that these people suffer.
Microphobia is not restricted to just being afraid of bacteria and viruses, but can comprise a fear of anything that is tiny.
Although many people with micro-phobia realize and admit that their fears are irrational, they often can not avoid extreme anxiety or even an anxiety crisis when confronted with feared stimuli or even just thinking about them.
When a type of serious disorder like this takes place, it not only affects the person who suffers it, but also those around it.
The person with micro-phobia may be unable to perform daily tasks effectively, so that he may need extreme help from those living with him or her. You can also stop doing activities that you previously did because of the extreme fear you feel.
Symptoms of microphobia
Each case of microphobia is different, since thought patterns, images and the internal dialogue associated with small objects is different in each person. However, although"internal representations"vary by person, there are several symptoms that are common in many microbes.
A person with micro-phobia tends to experience intense fear and anxiety when they are in the presence of small things they fear, and may suffer panic attacks Or anxiety.
This phobia can be quite debilitating, since they usually fear objects such as germs, which they are unable to see, but could be anywhere. As a result, they have to make a constant effort to avoid them.
Their fear of dirt and germs can become so intense that they could become the symptoms of another phobia called Misophobia : The fear of dirt and germs.
Physiological symptoms
Some symptoms that people with micro-phobia may experience include intense anxiety, fear, chills, increased heart rate, loss of control, sweating, dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath. A behavioral symptom of these people is avoidance, typical of all phobias.
These people avoid many things that are small in size. The fear can be so intense that the person with micro-phobia may not want to leave his house to avoid any risk of having contact with these things he fears.
Cognitive symptoms
Some mental symptoms can be obsessive thoughts, difficulty in thinking about things other than the dreaded object, feelings of unreality or being separated from oneself (derealization / Depersonalization ) And fear of fainting.
Emotional symptoms, such as Anticipatory anxiety , Which is a persistent concern about upcoming events involving small objects. These people also feel an incapacitating fear and a desire to escape situations in which there may be objects they fear.
People suffering from this disorder suffer from an inability to function normally in their daily lives because of their anxiety. They tend to be aware that the fears they have are completely exaggerated or unreasonable, but they feel that they can not control them.
Symptoms of microphobia can occur in a comorbid way with other phobias.
Causes
Most experts believe that the causes of this phobia lie in a combination of a biochemical imbalance in brain , Which may be genetic, and environmental factors.
Environmental factors
An example of an environmental factor can be a terrifying experience with the feared object or objects, so that there is an association between experience and object.
The fear of micro- phobia may also have been learned through observation. Fear of an object can occur after observing someone else who has that fear.
The possibility of developing phobia often depends on the confidence that one has in the person who fears the object that is. If you have a great deal of confidence in that person, there is a greater chance that your point of view will be taken as to what to fear and what to fear.
The fear of small or almost imperceptible things, visibly, could be a reflection of the fear of the unknown that most of us suffer.
Treatments
Before undergoing any type of therapy, it is advisable to go see a psychologist. This can advise you on the best type of therapy that fits you and the prognosis of the disorder.
Some of the professionals who can help treat phobias are, apart from psychologists, psychiatrists and hypnotists.
These professionals can help people with micro-phobia deal with it and understand what causes the problem so that it can be solved. Here are some of the treatments that are recommended to treat micro-phobia.
Behavioral-cognitive therapies
Exposure therapy Is a type of behavioral-cognitive treatment that is used to treat many anxiety disorders. The procedure involves gradually exposing the patient to a stressful situation and allowing them to feel anxiety.
The goal is for the person to be desensitized, that is, to stop feeling the emotion so intense that is fear, after a period of high exposure to the dreaded stimulus. This treatment is used for many types of phobias.
In this case, to treat a phobia to some small object, the patient is first asked to imagine being close to the feared object. Then you are taught images or models of the object and finally you will have contact with the object of truth.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a type of therapy in which a person, with the assistance of a trained specialist in the subject, opens his subconscious mind to suggestion, with the purpose of changing one or more patterns of behavior.
When talking directly to the subconscious, it may be possible to find out what is causing the phobia as well as introduce new ideas and positive suggestions. These positive suggestions can be used to help make the changes that the person with micro-phobia wants.
Teaching the person to associate different feelings and emotions with things that are feared can usually be achieved after a few hypnotherapy sessions.
Some people find it unpleasant to know that someone is playing with their mind. However, hypnotherapy, also known as hypnoanalysis, is considered safe and works quite fast. This type of therapy has been approved as a therapy method since 1958 by the American Medical Association.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
The Neuro-Linguistic Programming Is basically the study and practice of how we create our reality, that of each of us. The most basic premise of NLP is that the words we use reflect an unconscious, internal perception of our problems.
If these words and perceptions are not accurate, they can create an underlying problem as long as we continue to use and believe them. Our attitudes are, in a sense, a prophecy of self-fulfillment. A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that, once made, is in itself the very cause of it becoming a reality.
In this type of therapy, a neuro-linguistic therapist will analyze every word and phrase you use when describing your symptoms or concerns about your health. He or she will examine your facial expressions and body movements.
After determining the problems that exist in your perception, the therapist will help you to understand the origin of the same. The therapist will help you reshape your thoughts and mental associations to fix or improve your preconceived notions. These preconceived notions may be preventing you from getting the success you deserve.
Energy Psychology
The Energy psychology Is a type of therapy that uses various techniques, such as acupuncture, yoga, tahiti, prana and energy medicine, that teach people to take simple steps to make big changes in their lives.
These techniques stimulate energy points on the surface of the skin that, when paired with certain psychological procedures, can change the electrochemistry of the brain. This type of therapy is still in a fairly controversial area, but apparently it can help a lot in dealing with phobias.
Psychopharmaceuticals
In addition to all types of therapy described above, there are psychoactive drugs that, while not"curing"this disorder, mitigate the intensity of symptoms. It is imperative that the person combine the pharmacological treatment with some type of therapy.
To treat the symptoms of anxiety that produces micro- phobia, they can be prescribed Serotonin reuptake inhibitors . Some antidepressants help to alleviate the obsessive thoughts that phobias can produce. Medicinal compounds do not treat disease, but symptoms, and should only be used in extreme cases of anxiety.
The Benzodiazepines Are drugs that help calm the nervous system of the person. Thus, they are helpful in preventing or alleviating panic attacks, as well as symptoms such as dizziness, difficulty breathing and chest pain. They can also reduce the worries that the person suffers about the feared object.
CONCLUSIONS
Microphobia is an intense fear that can cause a person an enormous amount of stress and anxiety, and can make it difficult to socialize with others or even maintain the responsibilities involved in a job.
Do not underestimate the influence of a phobia such as micro-phobia when it comes to altering a person's life; This type of disorder can change the life of the sufferer.