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Phasmophobia -fear of ghosts
Beliefs

Fear of Ghosts – Phasmophobia

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Phasmophobia, or the Fear of Ghosts: More than Scary

Do you ever sense a presence around you when you’re alone? Is your fear reinforced when you hear an unexplained noise?

Do you always sleep with the lights on? Are you afraid of visiting cemeteries or places where you know people have died?

Do you have nightmares after hearing a ghost story? Are you scared of going to the bathroom at night because of your fear?

If so, then you may be suffering from phasmophobia.

An individual who is scared of ghosts, or even demons, can experience intense bouts of stress and anxiety merely thinking about them. All types of ghosts can trigger this reaction, including phantoms, ghouls, and spirits.

You probably don’t understand what’s happening to you. It’s difficult explaining your fear to people because many don’t believe ghosts are real. However, your terror is quite real. When you think about ghosts, you grow so pale you begin to resemble a ghost yourself.

Let’s take a look at the causes, symptoms, and methods of overcoming this phobia.

 

Phasmophobia -fear of ghosts

Phasmophobia Meaning

Phasmophobia is an all-consuming fear of ghosts. Those who suffer from this phobia often feel a strong presence around them when they’re alone. This can quickly turn into a feeling of dread so severe one can barely function.

Is Phasmophobia Scary?

For those suffering from this phobia, it most definitely is scary. You can’t fake that bone-chilling terror. People who have phasmophobia often feel these sensations are life-threatening.

As a result, day-to-day activities become challenging. Even going to the bathroom in the middle of the night seems like an impossible task.

What Is Phasmophobia Based On?

Phasmophobia is closely related to the fear of the dark. Other phobias also contribute to phasmophobia, including the fear of being alone, or isolophobia. Research suggests that people who are afraid of being alone, especially at night, are likely to suffer from phasmophobia. Many often go through sleepless nights because of their fear of ghosts.

What Are the Causes of Phasmophobia?

It’s unclear if people develop a fear of ghosts first, or if it develops because an individual fears the dark or being alone. However, children may develop a fear of ghosts first if they’re exposed to situations which traumatize them.

Exposure in Childhood

For example, a child may develop phasmophobia if they watch a scary movie. Scenes from horror films can have lasting effects. Others develop this irrational fear after listening to ghost stories told by older family members. In some cultures, ghosts are used as a threat when children misbehave.

Biological Factors

Some people are genetically predisposed to extreme bouts of anxiety. They are at a higher risk of developing phobias.

Supernatural Beliefs

A lot of religions accept that supernatural forces exist—demons, spirits, or other entities. Some religions also teach that these invisible entities are evil and capable of causing harm to human beings. Such notions can induce a fear of ghosts.

Parapsychology

This subcategory of science tracks any form of paranormal activity. Some of the results obtained can’t be explained under the laws of science. Because of this, people who follow parapsychology may slowly begin to fear ghosts. Results obtained from parapsychology can often scar the mind and induce this phobia.

Symptoms of Phasmophobia

Here is a list of some of the most common symptoms of the fear of ghosts.

Mental/Emotional Symptoms

  • Feelings of helplessness
  • Feeling that you’re being watched by some entity
  • Fear of death
  • Unable to function in daily life
  • Obsessive and irrational thoughts about ghosts

Physical Symptoms

  • Panic attacks
  • Migraines
  • Accelerated heartbeat
  • Profuse sweating
  • Feeling drowsy in the day (due to lack of sleep)
  • Inability to go to the bathroom at night
  • Refusing to be alone
  • Can’t sleep alone
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Tight feeling in the chest
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Feeling dizzy or squeamish

How to Overcome Phasmophobia

There are various professional and self-help methods to deal with your fear of ghosts. But don’t expect to see results overnight. It will take time before you can fully cope with this condition.

Self-Help Methods for Fear of Ghosts Phobia

If you’d rather tackle your excessive fear of ghosts on your own, there are several methods you can try. Each method is unique, but works to improve your coping skills to help you better manage your fear. Below are just four examples of the many techniques available.

Educate Yourself

The first step in the self-help process is to understand that you have a fear  and that it’s hampering your day-to-day activities. Once you’ve done that, you can learn all you need about your phobia from reputable websites or books. This information will enable you to create a structured plan for dealing with your fear.

Surround Yourself with Those You Trust

Having a strong support system plays a huge role in dealing with any kind of fear. Those who have overcome their fears agree that no one should walk this path alone. You need to interact with people who love and support you no matter what. They will motivate you to do better, even when you have rough days. This encouragement will boost your morale and encourage you to keep working on your fears.

However, you may not be comfortable with talking to someone. That’s all right. Try joining discussion groups on phobias. Discussion groups can help you overcome your fears and show you that you’re not the only one who’s fighting demons.

Keep Exercising

If there’s one thing you shouldn’t stop doing during this period, it’s exercising. Physical activity is known to release stress and calm the mind. Exercise releases endorphins, more commonly known as the “happy hormones.”

Prioritize cardiovascular training. The best part about cardio is that you don’t need any expensive equipment. All you need is an open space, and you’re good to go. Cycling, running, swimming, and jumping rope are just some exercises you can try.

Express Yourself

People suffering from phobias often tend to have bouts of stress and overthinking.

The easiest way to curb this behavior is by expressing yourself. You don’t necessarily have to talk to someone. You can write down your feelings in a notebook, on your phone, or computer. This allows you to rid your mind of any negative and unwanted thoughts.

Seeking Professional Help

Sometimes, self-help methods may have little impact on your fears. That’s nothing to be ashamed of. Simply consult a trained professional for phasmophobia treatment. With professional therapy, you’ll probably encounter one of the following interventions.

Mindfulness Therapy

Mindfulness-based stress therapy or MBSR is a form of therapy used with those who suffer from severe stress, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and low self-confidence. A therapist works with you to eliminate distractions caused by your surroundings and helps you focus on your thoughts in the moment.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

This is a method of therapy which works to alter your state of mind to bring it to the desired goal. CBT is a highly effective method and can have long-lasting effects. However, it doesn’t resolve past traumas. Rather, it deals with situations in the present.

Exposure Therapy

This is a gradual form of therapy. Here, you learn to confront your fears directly in a safe environment. At first, a therapist may ask you to merely think about ghosts. Gradually, you’ll be exposed to more intensity such as viewing images of ghosts or watching videos or films involving ghosts until you rid yourself of the fear.

How to Avoid Phasmophobia

The first step to avoid this phobia is to identify what’s causing it. Try to accept your situation in order to progress. Stay patient and work slowly to achieve your goal. Exercising, meditation, and expressing yourself are some methods that can work wonders. Only take medication as a last resort and under the supervision of a medical professional.

In Conclusion

It may feel like you’ll never get over this irrational fear. But with a little work, you’ll gradually begin to live life the way you want to. Have faith in the process and yourself. Soon, the only thing the dark will remind you of is a good night’s sleep.

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Your Fear Goes Up and Down

Are you someone who would rather climb the stairs than take the elevator? You call it squeezing in a workout after being sedentary the whole morning. Or perhaps you claim it's a faster route. These are both typical, normal, and acceptable reasons. But what if you need to be in the conference room on the eleventh floor in five minutes, and you're wearing your business suit and wingtips? Would you still prefer to take the stairs? If your answer is yes, then maybe it's time to take a closer look at your reasons for avoiding elevators. Elevators stir all sorts of emotions in passengers. From the discomfort of closeness to strangers to the sensations in our gut, elevators can be a source of the heebie-jeebies for many, but for some, they can also be a source of terror. Let's dig a little deeper into the latter, and see what this terror is all about and what can be done to manage it. To begin with, does being inside an elevator give you chills or the sweats? Or does it trigger an unpleasant memory? Perhaps you remember movies you've watched where something terrible happens inside an elevator. From Silence of the Lambs, The Shining, Final Destination 2, or the king of all elevator horror films, 2010’s Devil, the elevator becomes witness to something sinister and horrible. And you want nothing to do with any of it. You know that you're not claustrophobic. You can deal with heights just fine, too. And you know that you're not going to be trapped inside. All of these contribute to a fear of elevators—but they don't apply to you. Yet being inside one does something to you. It's hard to explain.

What is the Fear of Elevators Called?

What you have is a fear of elevators, which is called elevatophobia. It is most commonly triggered by an experience of getting stuck inside either due to a power outage or technical maintenance. Hearing about other people's experiences or watching a movie about similar circumstances can prompt a fear of elevators getting stuck with you inside. Usually, claustrophobics and agoraphobics may also develop elevatophobia because the triggers and objects of these fears are related. Claustrophobia is the fear of closed and cramped spaces, while agoraphobia is the fear of being trapped without any means of escape. Put the two together, and the elevator becomes the perfect combination of both phobias. The space is limited and closed, with only one means of entry and exit. You can add another point of access if you consider climbing the cables like they do in the movies, but that certainly isn't ideal.

Symptoms of Elevatophobia

If for some reason an elevator stops due to an outage or some technical difficulty, passengers with elevatophobia may go into full panic mode. Even if the maintenance team advises that it will just be a matter of minutes, by then, the person's mind has become irrational with the fear of the elevator falling, being stuck for hours, or other unpleasant thoughts. You would expect a person to exhibit the following physical symptoms: Additionally, you would be filled with that overwhelming anxiety where you feel that you have zero control over the situation. You start fearing the unknown and are filled with negative thoughts about death and imminent doom. You become irrational and unresponsive.

Possible Complications of Elevatophobia

When the panic sets in, the possibility of emergencies related to pre-existing conditions may make themselves known. This might include serious health crises like heart attacks or asthma attacks. When this happens, fear becomes a medical emergency. Elevator rides do not last long; it's just a matter of minutes or even less. But the fact that a person can escalate from panic to a near fatal medical situation classifies the fear of elevators as a 'hard phobia.'

Trying Some Self-Help Methods

Your fear of elevators can likely interfere with your social and work life and relationships. Not everyone understands that elevatophobia, like most phobias, can be crippling. But don't be disheartened. Depending on the level of your fear and level of control, you can gradually face and manage your phobia. Here are some recommendations you can try:
  1. Make a List of Everything that Entails Riding in an Elevator This is a systematic approach to getting over your anxiety. By following a step-by-step process, you can identify where the fear kicks in at its strongest. You can write a list of steps like pressing the topmost button and waiting to arrive on that floor, watching as the door closes and opens, being alone inside the elevator, or having delays with the doors opening. Now try doing the opposite. For example, face away from the door or occupy yourself with your phone so that you are distracted.
  2. Create Your Fear Ladder Although the name says fear of elevators, it is not the whole process that scares you. There are just phases and parts of the elevator riding experience that cause you to panic. So go back to the list you initially created and label the fear level you feel. You can do it numerically, too, like ten being 'really scary,' six, 'manageable scary,' and one, 'not scary at all.' You can put the corresponding fear levels so you can focus more time and effort into activities that are more scary to you.
  3. Face Your Fear By now, you have identified what scares you the most. You can try repetitive action to minimize your fear and increase your sense of ‘normalcy’. Remember that the longer you expose yourself to your fear, the better you get at handling your emotions. If you are feeling overwhelmed, stop. Pushing yourself too fast and too soon can backfire. Modify your pace and go slower instead.
  4. Talk About Your Fear People by nature, unfortunately, are not quick to offer understanding and support. You need to tell them what's wrong before they can empathize. Talk to someone who you trust and ask for their support, especially in the initial phase of overcoming your fear. If you are too afraid to ride the elevator alone, you can ask them to go with you, and before you realize it, you are on your floor, and there was no indication of panic.
  5. Learn To Be Patient Be patient with yourself and your predicament. This is, after all, your fight against fear. It might take hundreds of elevator ride practices before the fear gets under control. Even then, there might be some hesitations and episodes of nervousness. These are acceptable and expected, so cut yourself some slack and congratulate yourself for every progress.

Seeking Professional Help

Along with self-help, you can always enlist a medical professional's aid to support you with your elevatophobia. Talking to someone who has experience with similar cases can be comforting, because you know that you are not alone, and this situation can get better. Talk to your doctor about the severity of your fears and the symptoms that you experience. Explain how you deal with it in an attempt to control it. An exam and a health history are made to ensure that there are no unrelated or underlying problems that your symptoms might mask. Usually, phobias like this are approached with a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Your doctor will talk about these options with you, and it's entirely up to you, with your doctor's recommendation, what you want to pursue. For psychotherapy, the most common type is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which aims to help you find different ways of behaving, thinking, and reacting when about to step inside an elevator or when already inside it. With medications, there are beta blockers and benzodiazepines, but note that these can have side effects. Whatever these side effects are, you should promptly share it with your doctor.

Simple Tips to Overcome Elevatophobia

Elevators are not perfect, but their likelihood to malfunction, fall, or get stuck is very low. If you are not fully confident with this information, you can help overcome your elevatophobia by learning common elevator safety tips and basic elevator operations. These should help curb your mild fear until you become more self-assured. In addition to that, here are some of the things that you can do to gradually overcome your fear of elevators—both in getting on and riding one.

Conclusion

Yes, elevatophobia can be a challenge in today's world, but don't allow the elevator to win. Don't let it stop you from taking a job on the top floor or attending a social gathering on the rooftop. Sure, you can take the stairs if you insist and arrive winded and sweaty, with the party about to wrap up. But is this the quality of life you seek? Elevators are designed to make life easier. There are guaranteed ways to help you overcome elevatophobia. Take the first step and seek help. Soon, you’ll see yourself breezing through the floors with those arduous stair climbs little more than a memory.
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