The Androphobia , Andro (meaning man) and phobia (meaning fear), is a disorder that produces a constant, intense and abnormal fear towards the mens. People with this syndrome, feel very nervous when they have the presence of men nearby or have a conversation with them, for Which tend to avoid them. These situations can occur even with male relatives or friends, hindering the personal, professional and Interpersonal of the affected.
The people most afflicted by this pathology are women between the ages of 18 and 40 who, although they generally know that they suffer from an irrational fear, do not usually Express their feelings for fear of rejection of society. They often excuse themselves and avoid situations in which they have to deal with a man, to cover A fear that can lead to anxiety.
The differences between androphobia and misandria should be noted. In the first case, it is a disorder that the person suffering from it wants to cure it, While misandry is a feeling of hatred toward man developed for whatever reasons.
In most cases it is born as a A response to misogyny (hatred towards women) and a sense of struggle towards machismo that prevails in society. This hatred can be so clingy to The ideals of the woman, who comes to the conviction that she does not need the existence of man in life.
To consider that a person suffers androphobia, and not some kind of hatred towards man, must feel an irrational and disproportionate fear that Destabilize your daily life. That is, one of loss of emotional freedom and limitation in their day to day.
This problem creates people with obsessive traits in their personality, anxious and negative.
Causes of androphobia
As far as phobias are concerned, the scientific community warns that there is no absolute truth as to its origin. Possibly, depending on the Person, can vary the cause that creates the disorder in his mind. In the case of phobia towards men, are the theories most accepted by the Specialists:
Traumatic experiences
The fear of men can be traced back to distressing experiences in the past, such as childhood or adolescence. Physical or verbal abuse, Violations or vexatious practices suffered by a person at the hands of a man, contribute to implant a general idea that men are beings Aggressive and ruthless, whose only purpose is to do harm.
The phobia can also develop despite not being a direct victim of abuse. Having witnessed some violent experience of one man over another can help develop the phobia. Domestic abuse is a Example.
Cultural Factors
The fear towards the man has its origin in the learned behavior of a person. This cause is based on the fact that society and cultures are Are mostly dominated by man, who also acts aggressively and harmful taking advantage of his physical superiority and resistance With respect to women.
Genetics
This current links people who are afraid of men and have relatives with the same phobia. They say that fear and anxiety are Found in genetic engineering.
symptom
Depending on the people suffering from androphobia, the symptoms may vary depending on your level of fear. The most common are:
- Shortness of breath
- Fast breathing
- Tremors
- Excessive sweating
- Nausea
Dizziness
- Heart palpitations
- Dry mouth
- Lost of control
- Nightmares
- Anxiety Attack
- Inability to articulate words or phrases
Treatment
Androphobia, like most phobias, can be treated through various therapeutic methods channeled by a psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist.
Andro- phobia is not usually an easy topic to deal with for people afflicted, so it is advisable to attend some of these Specialists and follow some of the therapies listed below:
Cognitive-behavioral technique (CBT)
They need a lot of perseverance, but they show great efficacy in the patients who have been treated through Of this therapy . It is based on the restructuring of the Negative thinking you have about men in order to change that feeling and behavior.
Through Relaxation techniques , the patient Learn to tolerate the anguish he suffers. Over time he gradually learns to deal with men, being able to control his fears and Making contact with them.
Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP)
Combination of psychotherapy, communication and personal development based on the modification of skills or Learning disorders . Based on what The behaviors are structured, its purpose is to convert the fear of the person to a man in a behavior of calm and relaxation.
Hypnotherapy
Or analytical hypnosis, is a type of therapy in which a specialist goes into the subconscious of the person with the pathology in order to change One or more patterns of behavior. Once the specialist finds the problem of phobia, he speaks directly to produce in the mind Positive suggestions that help improve the impression about men.
Psychology of energy
This type of therapy is developed from different techniques like yoga to modify behavioral habits. They are based on the stimulation of The energy points in order to be able to change the electrochemistry of the brain. Although of dubious effectiveness, it is a therapy in period of study, but Endorsed by many specialists in this treatment of phobias.
Antidepressants
Although they always remain the last option due to its side effects, in cases of extreme gravity to confront the presence of a man, Can resort to psychotropic drugs. They are commonly used as Antidepressants or Anxiolytics .
Bibliography
- Adeleye, Gabriel (1999). World Dictionary of Foreign Expressions: A Resource for Readers and Writers. Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers. P. 411.
- Colman, Andrew M. (2009). A Dictionary of Psychology. Oxford University Press. P. 882.
- American Psychiatric Association (1996). Glossary of psychiatry. Ediciones Díaz de Santos. P. 504.