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Situational Phobias

Fear of Holes – Trypophobia

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Do You Suffer from Fear of Holes or Trypophobia?

When you see a sponge do you break out in a sweat?

Do things with holes such as a honeycomb or even spots on a leopard cause you to want to run or look away?

If so, then you are like many others who suffer from a fear of holes. There is hope—once you understand why you feel this way—to learn to cope with the fear of holes.

Trypophobia Meaning?

Many ask what the medical  term is for a fear of holes, and that is trypophobia. Trypophobia is a fear of holes including fear of small holes, fear of multiple holes, and fear of holes in the skin to name a few.

The fear of holes phobia is a common occurrence with a variety of symptoms. A few individuals may only feel a bit queasy when they notice someone with measles or poison ivy while another person may have a panic attack.

In most cases, fear of holes or trypophobia is associated with dots or a fear of things with holes.

Trypophobia is from the Greek words trypta meaning “holes” and phobos which is “fear.” Even though the words are from ancient Greek, the first report of this fear was seen in 2005 on a website forum.

Individuals suffering from the fear of holes have an emotional or physical reaction when they see spots or holes, with the larger clusters creating a more intense reaction.

What Causes Trypophobia?

Even though research is ongoing, the cause of trypophobia is unknown.

Researchers believe that reactions to a fear of holes clustered together could be due to feelings of danger. The fear of holes may be a type of genetic behavior to protect oneself from danger. The reason being is that many poisonous animals have similar patterns, such as the pufferfish.

Another idea is that many diseases have clustered patterns, such as smallpox, which in the past killed thousands. This could be a genetic factor for fear of holes.

Others believe that since an image of items with holes can bring on the same reaction as seeing it in person, it could be a sensitivity to the mixture of dark and light in the images. The visual energy of these images can bring on reactions such as closing one’s eyes or turning away.

One other group of researchers have noted that the fear of holes may resemble eyes staring at a person which can bring on anxiety, thus the fear of holes begins. If these researchers are correct, the fear of holes may be attributed to social anxiety.

At the Centre for Brain Science, University of Essex, researchers Arnold Wilkins and Geoff Cole are studying trypophobia meaning. In their study, they used photos that can be found on Trypophobia.com. During their study, the discovery showed that individuals sensed danger when they viewed the photos. However, the type of danger is still unknown.

Whether it is a genetic or a developed phobia, the fear is very real to those that suffer from trypophobia.

Trypophobia Triggers

Common items found in our homes can cause trypophobia triggers. A few of the triggers include:

  • Spotted animals
  • Holes in concrete
  • Bubbles in pancake batter as it cooks
  • Air holes in cakes or bread
  • Showerhead
  • Sponges
  • Head of a lotus flower
  • Coral
  • Honeycomb
  • Strawberries
  • Bubbles
  • Beehives
  • Pomegranates
  • Skin problems like freckles or sores

Symptoms of Trypophobia

Physical Symptoms of Fear of Holes Include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Sweating
  • Trembling
  • Itching
  • Goosebumps
  • Skin crawling

Psychological Symptoms of the Fear of Holes

The fear of holes also has psychological symptoms which include:

  • Discomforting feelings
  • Feelings of disgust
  • Feelings of dread
  • Feelings of danger
  • Fear
  • Panic attacks

Is There a Trypophobia Cure?

At this time, there is no cure for trypophobia, and there are no specific treatment options outlined for therapists. The reason being is that according to the American Psychiatric Association, trypophobia does not mean the standard to be a true phobia. For phobias to meet the standard the fear must interfere with your ability to do everyday tasks.

Some individuals have found treatments that have helped them cope with their fear of holes.

Treatments for Trypophobia

Self-help. What can I do to help myself with trypophobia?

The self-help treatments can be done alone, or you can seek professional help to ensure you are getting the most from your treatment.

Modifications to your lifestyle may help, such as exercising, getting adequate sleep, eating healthy, and avoiding stimulants like caffeine.

Try joining a self-help group. You can find group therapy with others suffering with trypophobia. Options may be available online or contact a counseling office to see if there may be some in your area. Talking with others that have a fear of holes can provide you with information on the way in which they cope with their fears.

Learning relaxation techniques may aid you when you cannot avoid seeing small holes.

Professional help options

Cognitive behavioral therapy, often referred to as CBT, provides you with a therapist that will help you talk through your fear of holes. This type of therapy will help you realize how your feelings and behaviors are associated. With the help of a therapist, you can set as well as achieve your goals. The therapy will help you understand that the fear of holes is irrational which will allow you to overcome the fear.

Exposure therapy may also be used along with cognitive behavioral therapy. The therapy will expose you to images that have holes. In order to overcome the fear of holes, slow and managed exposure may help as you will be in a safe and calm environment. Beginning with photos of holes or items with holes that may not cause a severe reaction until you can view other items that have been overwhelming in the past.

Medications used for trypophobia – fear of holes

When necessary, if your symptoms of trypophobia are causing you to have high anxiety or panic attacks, your physician may prescribe medication. The medications often given are antidepressants, beta blockers, or tranquilizers.

How to Avoid Trypophobia: Simple Tips

You may not be able to avoid every hole or pattern that brings on unwanted reactions, but you can work toward overcoming the fear of holes.

As with many phobias, triggers are the most important part to consider. Once you learn what triggers the fear, besides just the sight of a strawberry or small holes in your skin, you can adjust your life to avoid the feelings that bring on the panic.

Facts about Trypophobia

  1. When seeking help for trypophobia, you must remember that some doctors and therapists do not believe this is a real phobia. However, many individuals around the world have the same symptoms you are experiencing.
  2. Individuals who suffer from fear of holes normally get nauseous at the sight of clustered holes or sores.
  3. Symptoms of typophobia include seeing a trigger that will bring on an emotional and physical reaction including sweating or itching. The trigger is what brings on the symptoms while the rest of the time, you will be fine and feel no fear.
  4. In order to diagnose trypophobia, a therapist will have to watch your reactions when you view photos of things with small holes, large holes, and clusters of small dots.

You can lead a normal life with a fear of holes. With the help of a therapist, you may be able to turn those negative thoughts around and experience fewer symptoms.

Stories Submitted by Our Readers

Fear of Holes

This may sound strange, but I have a fear of any kind of bug that flies. That is not the strange part. I was not scared of these types of bugs until I learned they lived in holes. Wasps and bees, especially as they live in nests that have multiple holes or in some cases hornet holes in the ground. So, my true fear is holes, but it has spread to other aspects of my life such as bugs that live in holes.
As an adult, I have seen a variety of different illnesses including deformed skin with holes, skin infections, and bugs that bore into the skin. Now, today, I cannot even look at a photo of anything with holes. My heart races and I become very uncomfortable and feel terrified.
Abby

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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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