Use the Smart Approach with Dumasaphobia
Being around people who are stupid people can be annoying. But does your annoyance go beyond mere irritation and turn into fear? Do you feel that stupid people are going to be the end of the world? Are you constantly worrying about people with low intelligence making things worse for everyone?
If you answer the above questions with a resounding yes, you are probably suffering from Dumasaphobia, the fear of dumb people.
Explaining yourself to people can be very difficult. After all, who would understand that people making stupid decisions or acting in an ignorant way fills you with terror? It’s an unusual fear that is not easy to deal with or even understand.
But if you feel you are alone in your struggle, you’re not. There are many different kinds of phobias and a fraction of the world’s population is suffering from one or another, including Dumasaphobia. And with positive thinking and an open mindset, you can open doors to welcome a healthy and happy you.
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So, let’s take a closer look at what Dumasaphobia is, what causes this fear, and how it can be treated.
What Is Dumasaphobia?
Some people are exceptionally afraid of spotting some stupid activity. They will run away from any place where they think a person is acting in an ignorant or unintelligent manner.
But what is the fear of stupidity called?
The fear of stupidity is called Dumasaphobia. Individuals suffering from this phobia are constantly worried about dealing with stupid people, which results in them avoiding going outside and keeping to themselves as much as possible.
According to them, fighting off stupidity is more difficult than fighting off evil. Mostly because debating with a stupid person and making them see reason is as good as talking to a wall. You can never win when dealing with someone ignorant.
While some people laugh off stupidity, people with Dumasaphobia will experience extreme anxiety and even panic attacks. They are triggered by actions like:
- People talking on the phone while driving
- Multitasking like drinking coffee and crossing the road, walking and texting, etc.
- A person standing in the middle of an entryway and talking on the phone
- People ignoring warning signs
- People not signaling their intentions and making irrational decisions.
- Pulling extremely risky stunts for social media
Many people worry that the stupidity of these people will affect not only them but also those around them. So, they avoid stupid people as they do not want to be a victim of their stupidity.
Causes Of Dumasaphobia
The exact cause of any phobia is not known. However, there are general factors that alone or in combination lead to the development of a phobia. Previous traumatic experiences, genetics, and the environment one lives in all play a role in a person potentially developing Dumasaphobia.
A person who suffered a car accident due to the stupidity or rash driving of another driver or lost something due to the carelessness of someone they entrusted the thing with is highly likely to develop this phobia.
This fear of idiots phobia may also have a genetic cause. If the person has someone in the family suffering from an anxiety disorder, other specific phobias, or depression, that person is genetically predisposed to mental health issues and can be triggered into developing the phobia of stupid people.
Symptoms Of Dumasaphobia
Dumasaphobia shares similar symptoms with other specific phobias. The person will typically experience extreme anxiety with other physical and psychological symptoms. Some of them are as follows.
Physical Symptoms:
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Nausea
- Headache
- Stomach upset
- Chest tightening
- Increased heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Disorientation
Psychological Symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Panic attack
- Feeling of dread
- Fear of meeting an accident
- Anticipating drastic events like explosions, accidents, etc
- Strong desire to flee the spot
Treatment For Dumasaphobia
There is no exact route of treatment for the phobia of stupidity. However, treatment plans that work for other specific phobias also work for Dumasaphobia.
Dumasaphobia is an irrational fear that produces extreme anxiety when a person spots a stupid act or encounters someone saying something ignorant. It initiates a series of extreme symptoms and avoidance behavior, which needs to be addressed before it worsens.
Self-help
The first step towards self-help is recognizing that the issue is not stupid people but an imbalance in your thought process. Everyone makes stupid decisions in their life, but feeling fearful of a person for some stupid thing they did or labeling them stupid is an irrational way to handle things.
While stupid actions can lead to horrifying events, bad things are not always the aftermath of stupidity.
It’s important to learn how to separate your rational and irrational thoughts and calm your nerves when you experience anxiety when faced with your trigger — stupidity.
Some of the things you can do to help yourself are:
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Exercise
- Deep breathing
- Relaxation techniques
The above-mentioned techniques help to clear your mind and rationalize your thoughts. You can also start journaling to note your thought patterns, reactions, what caused them, symptoms, etc. You can then dissect the causes into rational and irrational ones and try to understand your mind better.
Professional Help
Reaching out for professional help is always advisable when dealing with phobias. A doctor will be able to accurately diagnose your issue and decide the best treatment plan. Some of the therapies used by doctors for treating specific phobias like Dumasaphobia are:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Exposure therapy
In cases when the symptoms are extreme, the doctor may also recommend prescription medicine, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds, for some time. These are not for treatment of the phobia but for calming the symptoms.
Living With Dumasaphobia
Living in a constant worry of encountering stupid people or stupidity is no joke. It can interfere with your social and professional life and impede your relationships as well.
Hence, you need to take immediate steps and work towards calming your mind and eliminating your symptoms. Reach out to mental health experts and let them help you.
You should also try opening up to your close friends and family so they can support you in your healing journey.
Conclusion
Dumasaphobia can be a cause of constant worry and affect various aspects of a person’s life. However, there is hope! With patience, time, and professional help, you can kiss your fears goodbye. And one day, you might find yourself laughing off someone’s stupid actions!