The Fear of Dancing, Does Dancing Terrify You?
Are you afraid to dance? Does the very thought of dancing or seeing others dance scare you? Do you feel dizzy or faint at the thought of moving to music? Have you skipped going to events that may have this social activity?
If so, then you probably suffer from Chorophobia.
Dancing is most likely the oldest art form known to mankind. Civilizations, tribes and nobility danced to show joy throughout history. Still today people “cut a rug” for fun and celebration. Even toddlers break into dance whenever they are joyful or excited.
However, this form of expression may cause panic or anxiety attacks in some people.
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You probably don’t understand what’s happening to you, and it’s even more difficult to explain this fear to others. But the truth is, it’s real and can be dealt with.
What Is Chorophobia?
Chorophobia is the fear of dancing and anything related to the thought of dancing. The fear of dancing phobia can sometimes get so severe that a person can undergo depression or panic attacks.
If you have this phobia, you probably don’t want anyone to know that you’re afraid of dancing. Most people don’t take this fear seriously, so explaining this condition can be challenging. You may also avoid watching TV or online videos to avoid catching a glimpse of anyone dancing.
People who are afraid to dance often view the activity as life-threatening. They would avoid events or places where dancing is a must.
What causes Chorophobia? The most common root of phobias is a traumatic experience in childhood. For example, you may be scared to dance because you experienced or witnessed an accident related to dancing.
This can lead to people feeling helpless and stressed. People can also develop Chorophobia because of environmental factors, genetics, or brain chemistry.
Symptoms of Chorophobia
Unsure if you have this phobia? Check out this list of symptoms:
Psychological Symptoms
● The fear of death
● Feeling helpless
● A sensation of guilt and shame
● Losing control
● Short temper
● Self-harm and self-blame
Physical Symptoms
● Chills
● Migraines
● Profuse sweating
● Shivering
● Inability to breathe properly
● Feeling like someone’s choking you
● Nausea
● Fainting
● Headaches and dizziness
● Feeling confused
● Dry mouth
● Accelerated heartbeats
Self-Help – How to Not be Afraid of Dancing
There are several strategies for dealing with your fear of dancing but remember: all these methods require practice and determination.
Surround Yourself with People You Trust
You’re probably wondering what this has to do with overcoming your phobia. Based on the experience of past phobia sufferers, you shouldn’t work on your fears alone. People who love and support you can provide motivation during this process, and that’s important.
Compliments and encouragement have a positive effect on the mind. This boost of confidence makes it easier to learn how not to be afraid of dancing.
You can also take part in discussion groups about phobias. It can take a load off your mind to realize that you are not alone in your journey. Plus, you can share and get tips that work.
Educate Yourself
After deciding that you need to work on your fears, you should educate yourself on self-help methods. There are multiple websites and books that you can read about phobias. With this information, you can create a realistic plan of action for dealing with Chorophobia.
Express Yourself
One of the easiest steps to curb your overthinking is to express yourself. If you are part of a self-help group, be open about your struggles.
Are you hesitant about expressing yourself to people? Then write down your thoughts in a diary, private blog, or on your mobile phone. This will help release unwanted thoughts that are clogging your mind. Remember, overthinking can hinder your progress and reinforce your fears.
Exercise Regularly
This may seem surprising, but exercising helps calm the mind and release unwanted stress. One of the most beneficial forms of training is cardiovascular exercise or cardio. This form of training is known to release anxiety and has been proven to release more happy chemicals, also known as endorphins.
Cardiovascular training is easy to do and requires little to no equipment. Examples include skipping rope, running, cycling, and swimming.
Take Your Time
Take baby steps when working towards overcoming your phobia slowly. For example, try watching videos of people dancing on the internet for 5-10 minutes a day.
Once you start feeling comfortable, gradually increase this time limit. After which, try and go to events where you know there’s going to be dancing.
If you aren’t feeling comfortable, then take a break. You shouldn’t force yourself. This is a slow process.
Seek Professional Help
What if these self-help methods don’t make a dent in your fear of dancing? There’s nothing to be worried about. All you need to do is consult trained professionals who can help with Chorophobia treatment.
A psychiatrist or therapist will find out if you have this phobia. Once that’s determined, you may be offered several options to reduce the symptoms. Medication should not be the first course of action because of the possible side effects.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a form of therapy where an individual alters their thoughts to achieve the desired patterns. This strategy is effective and has a lasting effect on the individual’s behavior.
Unlike other forms of therapy, CBT does not focus on resolving past traumas or memories. Rather, it focuses more on the problems being faced in the present.
Mindfulness Therapy
MBSR or Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction is a form of therapy that is used for people who suffer from severe anxiety, stress, depression, and low self-esteem. The therapist reduces interruptions caused by the things around you.
Instead, you are supposed to pay close attention to your thoughts and increase self-awareness. Being self-aware helps to lessen the effects of Chorophobia.
Meditation
Here, the therapist helps the client to remove all negative and random thoughts from the mind. The individual is asked to meditate when they’re invaded with negative thoughts.
The therapist asks the client to concentrate on things that have no emotional baggage. For example, breathing. Concentrating on breathing patterns helps the individual to calm down and focus on their thoughts effectively.
Exposure Therapy
For some people, immersion or exposure therapy does the trick. The idea is to get used to dancing so that you no longer fear it. The process is gradual, from visualizing dancing to being asked to dance for a few minutes. What’s crucial is that this therapy is controlled by a professional who can see your reaction and adjust the treatment accordingly.
How to Avoid Chorophobia
To avoid a fear of dancing, your first step should be to accept that you have this phobia. Try to understand what’s causing this fear. Only then can you address the problem directly.
Remain calm and work towards avoiding this fear. Be patient and take small steps to achieve your goal. Exercising, meditating, and expressing yourself can greatly help you.
Remember not to overthink and stay calm. Don’t allow the fear to reside in your head. Set your expectations low, as change won’t happen instantly.
Let’s Conclude
It can be quite exhilarating to dance during a party. There’s a special thrill to dancing on stage and bowing down to thunderous applause. While they may seem out of reach when you have Chorophobia, don’t give up hope.
Believe in yourself and have faith in the process. You can unleash your inner Fred Astaire in no time and start dancing your heart out. All you need is determination, guidance, and encouragement.