VERIFIED CONTENTConsultation: psychologist Klaudia Krzynówek from the Damian Medical Center

Fear of sharp objects may indicate aichmophobia. So, can overcoming this phobia be difficult, since such objects surround us practically everywhere? We asked the psychologist Klaudia Krzynówek from the Damian Medical Center about it.

What is aichmophobia?

Aichmophobiais an excessive and irrational fear of sharp, pointed objects that makes everyday functioning difficult. A person with aichmophobia reactsanxiously if he or she is near a sharp thingwith which, according to them, harm can be done. So seeing a needle, pencil, pen, scissors or other household items causes a lot of stress, and in some situations may even cause fainting.

Psychologist Klaudia Krzynówek from the Damian Medical Center explained that aichmophobia is"the main threat for a patient who is unable to undergo medical procedures, injections or blood sampling due to excessive fear of a sharp instrument" . Most patients find that needle treatments are not fun… but they are tested for he alth reasons. On the other hand, people with aichmophobiaparalyze the feeling of excessive anxietyif they see a sharp tool or just think about it.

Where does aichmophobia come from?

The cause of aichmophobia may besurviving a traumatic event from the past , hospitalization during an early childhood period, or a situation that is currently associated with an immediate threat. As the psychologist Klaudia Krzynówek clarified, "perhaps a person suffering from aichmophobia witnessed a traumatic incident, during which someone could be injured with a sharp object or in his environment, special attention was paid to sharp tools during the cut."

What are the symptoms of aichmophobia?

Symptoms of aichmophobia include those that patients experience during other anxiety disorders. They are:

  • palpitations,
  • chest tightness,
  • dizziness,
  • feeling of suffocation (or lack of air),
  • fainting,
  • excessive sweating,
  • tingling and numbness in the limbs,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • hot flashes.

The psychologist noted that"a person suffering from aichmophobia is most afraid of losing control, fainting and dying" . She is unable to undergo a medical examination or comply with medical recommendations. In this situation, avoiding doctor's offices and the lack of prophylaxis pose a direct threat to he alth and life.

Read also: Fear of rejection (nullophobia): causes and symptoms. How to deal with it?

How to deal with aichmophobia? The psychologist explains

Ways to reduce the anxiety associated with aichmophobia can bereading the medical literature on this issue and systematically writing down intrusive thoughts in the form of short notes . Thanks to them, you can rationalize your fear and make progress in the fight against aichmophobia.

Meditation, relaxation, deep breathing and physical activity can also help to tame your fear of sharp objects.

- Rest and sleep, and getting support and learning about anxiety management techniques are other ways to deal with aichmophobia. anxiety attack , if he sees a sharp object, e.g. a needle - said psychologist Klaudia Krzynówek in an interview with Poradnik Zdrowie.

It is also worth avoiding situations that arouse fear and a feeling of alienation. In addition, it is important that:

  • eat he althy and do sports regularly,
  • take care of a good night's sleep,
  • avoid caffeine and other stimulants,
  • try to act despite fear and inner resistance.

Read also: Anxiety disorders make life difficult - how to deal with them?

How to cure aichmophobia?

On the other hand, if the fear at the sight of a needle, dental tools and other sharp objects becomes so strong that it makes everyday functioning more and more difficult, according to psychologist Klaudia Krzynówek - it may be a signal to go to a specialist.

The goal of treating aichmophobia is to reduce the level of anxiety , which will improve the quality of life. The feeling of being in control of unpleasant stimuli can be strengthening.

The most common type of treatment for aichmophobia isexposure therapy in which the patient confronts the source of his fear , for example, looking at pictures of needles or slowly learning how to use scissors.

Aichmophobia can also be treated withCBT . The patient stopsface to face with his irrational fear and learns different techniques to overcome it. Thanks to them, he has a chance to confront his inner enemy in order to understand its negative impact on he alth.

In many cases, psychotherapy is effective in treating aichmophobia - it is not necessary to prescribe medications that will reduce the severity of symptoms. Pharmacotherapy is used only in difficult situations.

Most people struggling with aichmophobia, thanks to treatment, slowly feel inner peace and are less fearful at the sight of sharp objects.The type and length of therapy largely depends on the severity of the symptoms.If the therapy is not having the desired effects, it is also worth considering using a support group.

Category:

Psychiatry