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Rare Phobias

Aulophobia – The Fear of Flutes

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The Fear of Flutes, or Aulophobia, Is Rare but Real

The flute is a popular woodwind instrument that can produce airy and whimsical melodies. With its clear and almost ethereal sound, this instrument is often associated with magical creatures and out-of-this-world wonders. However, not everyone is enthralled by this musical instrument and its sound because some suffer from aulophobia, or the fear of flutes.

Let’s learn more about this rare and potentially paralyzing fear.

The Fear of Flutes

When a person has aulophobia, they will have varying levels of anxiety, distress, and fear whenever they hear anything flute-related. This phobia can have different levels of intensity. Some may have episodes of panic attacks at the mere sight of the musical instrument or get anxious when they hear it being played.

The word “aulophobia” has a Greek origin. The term aulos means “pipe or tube” and refers to any musical instrument that bears the same shape as a flute. Meanwhile, phobia means “fear.”

 

Symptoms of Aulophobia

Aulophobia differs from person to person. The symptoms and severity vary as well. The duration of symptoms is also unique for each person. When you hear a flute being played, you may start sweating and become nauseous, but you may feel better after walking away from the music. Another might take longer to recover.

If you have aulophobia, you may experience one or a combination of these symptoms classified as physical and mental/emotional symptoms. As the name suggests, physical symptoms are those that your body feels and experiences, while mental and emotional symptoms refer to how you react after being subjected to the object of your fear. Usually, mental and emotional symptoms are rooted in your mind, but they manifest in your outward behavior.

Physical Symptoms

  • Chills
  • Excessive sweating
  • Fainting
  • Headache
  • Increase in blood pressure
  • Nausea
  • Palpitations
  • Upset stomach
  • Vomiting

Mental/Emotional Symptoms

  • Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Fear that something terrible is about to happen
  • Irrational conclusions and assumptions
  • Mood swings
  • Unexplained dread and morbid thoughts
  • Withdrawal from society

 

Causes of Aulophobia

It’s impossible to pin down one specific cause of aulophobia. A combination of several factors can contribute to why someone is scared and anxious about anything flute-related. Nonetheless, here are the most probable reasons why someone may have aulophobia.

#1. A Specific Triggering Event in the Past

It’s difficult to imagine a traumatic experience with a flute, but it does happen. During your childhood, you might have witnessed someone having an unpleasant experience with a flute. You may have even endured it yourself. Such encounters can have lingering negative effects.

#2. Your Family Background

Unfortunately, mental illnesses can be inherited. If you have any family members who were diagnosed with anxiety, depression, panic, or personality disorders, there’s a possibility that you may develop a mental health issue too since you share the same DNA. Additionally, if any of your family members suffer from melophobia, or the fear of music, this can branch out to other related phobias, including aulophobia and a phobia of musical instruments.

 

Treating Aulophobia

Isn’t it time to start enjoying music again even if it comes from a flute? In your mind, you know that the actual instrument is harmless, much more so the sound it produces. If you’re being honest with yourself, you understand there’s nothing to fear.

But be kind to yourself and acknowledge that your fear doesn’t make you less of a person. When you’re ready, decide that it’s something you want to manage and overcome. Don’t worry. You’re not alone and help is available. You can get the guidance and expertise of professionals and even perform some routines at home to help you on your journey.

Self-Help Options

Here are examples of some self-help options you can adopt.

#1. Understand Your Triggers and Pinpoint the Possible Cause

Knowing the root cause of your aulophobia can be challenging, especially if you believe that it has always been part of you. Try to recall incidents in your childhood that might have caused you to be afraid of the flute and the sound it emits. Once you’ve identified your triggers, continue your journey of self-discovery by taking note of the thoughts that go through your mind, what you feel, and how you react when there’s a flute nearby.

At this point, it’s good to have a journal where you can document your thoughts, questions, and everything that comes to mind related to your phobia. This can help you fully assess where you stand when it comes to your phobia and offer you a better understanding of it.

#2. Teach Yourself New Skills in Breathing and Meditation

One way to control your phobia is to have a stronger mind. This means not allowing your fear to get the best of you. You can accomplish this by calming your mind and learning how to let go of negative energy.

Learning breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga will not only make your mind stronger, but also positively impact your body.

#3. Be Your Own Cheerleader

Everyone has their fears. For you, it just happens to be the flute. This doesn’t mean that you’re irrelevant and weak. Each day, wake up with positivity and remind yourself that you are strong enough and loved. Tell yourself that you deserve everything the world can offer, including enjoying the beautiful music that the flute provides.

Professional Treatment

#1. Try Energy Psychology

You can also consult a mental healthcare professional who can refer you to someone who practices energy psychology. This methodology can be powerful given that it utilizes techniques such as acupressure, tai chi, qi gong, yoga, prana, and energy medicine. It works by stimulating your energy points to help your brain shift its electrochemistry. This technique is best paired with other psychological procedures to modify your overall mindset.

#2. Consult a Therapist, Psychologist, or Psychiatrist

Another option is to look for a mental healthcare professional who specializes in phobias. Whether they use cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy, professional help can help you holistically address and overcome your fear.

 

Living with Aulophobia

Living with aulophobia, especially if it is severe, can prevent you from experiencing a full and happy life. Your condition may reach an point where even if you don’t encounter anything flute-related, the idea of possibly coming upon one instills a constant feeling of dread.

If you’re suffering from aulophobia, don’t be afraid or ashamed to seek help for it. Learning about your fear through articles like this is a great first step. Getting the guidance you need is the next.

 

Final Thoughts

Whenever you’re in doubt, remember what writer Judy Blume said, “Each of us must confront our own fears, must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it.”

Live a life free from your phobia even if you have to fight for it one small step at a time.

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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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