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Other Phobias

Capiophobia – Fear of Police

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Capiophobia: Police Are Here to Help, Not Cause Fear

Does the sight of a police officer send chills down your spine? Have you ever scrambled to change the channel when you see a TV show or movie with cops in it? Do you find yourself feeling anxious or overwhelmed when you spot a police officer, even when you have done nothing wrong?

Does your heart beat out of control if you get pulled over for a traffic issue?

If yes, you may be suffering from capiophobia, the fear of police.

Most of us feel anxious around cops, which is perfectly normal. But having a phobia of police officers can raise this anxiety to unhealthy levels.

Those around you may not relate to the extreme anxiety you experience even at the thought of passing by a cop car, or even worse, getting pulled over by the police. This can make it difficult for you to convey your feelings to friends or family or reach out for help.

But don’t worry; you’re not alone. A large proportion of the global population is suffering from different kinds of phobias, including capiophobia. So, there are plenty of resources available that can help you deal with this fear.

With a little determination, initiative, and some professional intervention, you may soon walk by a policeman without the urge to run in the opposite direction!

 

What Is Capiophobia?

Capiophobia comes from the Latin word capio meaning “arrest” and the Greek word phobos meaning phobia. So, capiophobia is essentially the fear of being arrested.

People suffering from this phobia feel paranoid at the sight of the police. A knock at the door may terrify them, because they are always worried that it may be the cops. Driving is not easy for them either, because they are anxious about getting pulled over.

Those suffering with this phobia cannot stand the sight of a police car or a police officer and may turn in the opposite direction. Just hearing the sound of a police siren can send them into a panic.

Rationally, we all know that cops are supposed to be there for our protection. And avoiding them is almost impossible. But those with capiophobia will try everything they can to do just that. Since they know the chance of encountering a police officer outside their homes is very high, they may avoid going out at all. They may even order essentials at their doorstep and refuse to socialize.

However, this is no solution. The longer the person avoids facing their fear, the more difficult overcoming it can be. It’s important to express your thoughts and feelings and seek treatment as soon as possible.

Causes of Capiophobia

While the exact cause of any anxiety phobia, including capiophobia, can’t be determined, there are several theories that help us understand this phobia a bit better.

Capiophobia may develop in people who often get in trouble, as well as those who never get in trouble. But there are two major factors that, either by themselves or together, may lead to capiophobia.

Environmental Factors

The development of this fear has a lot to do with encountering police brutality, either personally or on the news and other social media channels. Past bad experiences with the police can also lead to a person fearing and avoiding the police.

Similarly, reading or watching news of police brutality, discrimination, assault, etc. may cause a person to fear the police. Watching someone close go through terrifying ordeals like an unlawful arrest or police brutality can also lead to the development of the phobia.

Unfortunately, police officers sometimes misuse their authority. Recent incidents like the one in Minneapolis involving George Floyd is an example of that. Such incidents of racial injustice, prejudice, and lack of compassion from law enforcement all contribute to a fear of police.

Also, people of color are more fearful of police and more likely to develop this phobia than white people. However, this does not mean white people are spared from the phobia.

Genetic Factors

Your genes have a lot to do with how you handle stress. While for some, dealing with stressful situations is simply a minor inconvenience or a challenge to overcome, for others, it can be a cause of great mental distress.

One with a familial history of mental illness is more prone to developing phobias in response to stress. Their perception and response to incidents of police injustice may be more severe, and they are more susceptible to anxiety disorders such as capiophobia.

 

Symptoms of Capiophobia

The symptoms of capiophobia are not very different from other types of anxiety phobias. Some of the most common symptoms are:

Physical Symptoms

  • Shivering
  • Racing heartbeat
  • Sweating
  • High blood pressure
  • Palpitations
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Body pain
  • Upset stomach

Mental/Emotional Symptoms

  • Anxiety
  • Panic attack
  • Morbid thoughts
  • Irritability
  • Anti-social behavior
  • Poor concentration
  • Fear of dying

 

Treatment of Capiophobia

There are two main ways in which you can help yourself manage your phobia of getting arrested: self-help and professional treatment.

Self-Help

Self-help is one of the best ways of dealing with any phobia. Because you know your triggers and the intensity of your fear, you can develop an action plan that will help you gradually overcome it. With self-help, you can determine your own pace and work on yourself in comfort.

Some things you can do to help yourself are:

  • Keep a journal and document all your reactions, triggers, progress, etc.
  • Try to reduce your stress levels with meditation and exercise.
  • Rationalize your thoughts by rereading your previous journal entries and understanding how you could have acted otherwise.
  • Try relaxation techniques like deep breathing, counting numbers, etc.

Professional Help

Mental health professionals have expertise in the field and will help you address and better manage the various symptoms of capiophobia. Your therapist may use one of the following methods to help you deal with your fear:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Exposure therapy
  • Talk therapy
  • Psychotherapy
  • Counseling

Anti-anxiety or antidepressant medications may be prescribed temporarily if you are suffering from severe anxiety or panic attacks.

 

Learning to Cope with Capiophobia

Living with capiophobia can be difficult. However, giving yourself time, being patient, and being consistent in your efforts to get well can help you make significant strides in your recovery. Talk to your loved ones, and don’t hesitate to seek help.

The journey to a better you can be long, so patience will be an asset. Keep your focus on the goal and work towards a better tomorrow.

 

Conclusion

While people may laugh off your fear of the police, it’s a real phobia that affects many and can be a source of great stress. However, with the right approach and regular treatment, you can be well on your way to a happier, healthier life. And who knows, one day you may even be able to watch Law & Order without flinching.

Stories Submitted by Our Readers

Fear of Police Officers

I have been afraid of police officers since my brother was shot and killed by one. I was very young, and my family explained that he was in a gang, had a gun, robbed a store, and ran when the police told him to stop.
As an adult, I understand that it was my brother’s fault, but that has not helped my fear. I am trying to get better by watching TV police shows but normally I run from the room or close my eyes and shake all over. I hope I can eventually talk to an officer in person without shaking, not being able to breathe and wanting to run away.
Brenda

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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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