Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia-The Fear of 666

The Fear of 666 – Mystical Number and Mysterious Fear

Do you ever feel a chill down your spine when you think of the number 666? Do you feel lightheaded or nauseous if you see this number? Are you convinced that 666 is extremely dangerous?

If so, then you may indeed suffer from Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia.

It refers to extreme anxiety and stress in an individual when they face the number 666. This anxiety can get so intense that it can disrupt day-to-day activities.

That’s probably a lot to take in. Perhaps you don’t understand what’s happening to you. It’s tough to explain your fear of 666 to others because people don’t consider it a real fear. But for you, it is irrational and all-consuming.

Let’s take a look at the causes, symptoms, and ways to overcome this phobia.

What Is Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia?

This is a highly specific phobia where the individual has a fear of the number 666. A person suffering from this phobia experiences severe bouts of anxiety and stress when they see the number.

People who have a fear of the number 666 think that it is life-threatening. Whenever they encounter it, they could get a severe panic attack.
Why Is There a Phobia of the Number 666?

A lot of people in the world suffer from this fear. Some people often have phobias with symbols or numbers like the swastika and 13. The same is the case with the number 666.

The 666 phobia has its roots in superstition and religious beliefs. Due to its negative connotations, people try to avoid reading or talking about the number.

Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia Etymology
The 666 number features in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Revelation. The book states that the number is the identification of “The Beast” or the Antichrist. Take note that Scripture doesn’t specifically mention 666 but writes it as “six hundred threescore and six.” Believers were warned against getting marked with this number.

Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia Causes
Pop culture makes liberal use of 666, especially in horror and supernatural films. These movies connected 666 with the Devil, evil paranormal powers, and apocalyptic scenarios. Given its association with the end of the world, it’s no wonder people became terrified of this 3-digit number.

Aside from these factors, there are other Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia causes. For example, a child may have seen a person suffering from this phobia and has inherited that fear. A traumatic event centered around the number could have also triggered this phobia.

Symptoms of Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia

Unsure of the symptoms of this phobia? Go through this list of symptoms to find out.

Psychological Symptoms
● Feeling nauseous or dizzy
● Helplessness
● Irrational fear of death
● Intense fear after looking at the number 666
● Obsessive thoughts about the number 666
● Unable to function in daily life

Physical Symptoms
● Migraines
● Profuse sweating
● Accelerated heartbeat
● Chills
● Fainting
● Dry mouth
● Confusion
● Difficulty in breathing
● Tight feeling in the chest

How to Overcome Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia

There are multiple self-help strategies you can use to deal with this fear. Keep in mind that all these steps require continuous practice and determination.

Educate Yourself
First, you need to acknowledge that you have a fear of the number 666. After you do so, educate yourself on various self-help methods. There are several books and websites you can read to get all the information you need on this fear.
With the information you have, you can create a comprehensive plan for dealing with Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia.

Talk to People You Trust
You probably don’t understand what this has to do with overcoming this phobia. But surrounding yourself with trusted friends and family members goes a long way. Having a strong and reliable support system is extremely important in dealing with any kind of phobia.
Based on the experiences of people who have overcome phobias, you shouldn’t go through this process alone. People who love you unconditionally will motivate you. Their encouragement will affect your mind positively and boost your confidence.
If you are not comfortable with confiding in your friends or loved ones, try being a part of discussion groups on phobias. Soon, you will realize that you aren’t alone in your desire to defeat this fear.

Express Yourself
People who suffer from phobias often experience bouts of overthinking and anxiety. One of the easiest methods to curb this is to express yourself.
If you aren’t comfortable with expressing your problems aloud, write down what you feel instead. You can do this on your phone, diary, or computer. This allows you to release and stop unwanted thoughts.
Remember, overthinking can damage the progress you’ve made. Worse, it can reinforce your fears. Therefore, you must try to stop this bad habit.

Don’t Forget to Exercise
Exercising helps in reducing stress and calms the mind. One of the most beneficial forms of exercise is cardiovascular training. Cardio has been known to calm the mind and release more endorphins, also known as happy chemicals.
The best part? Cardio doesn’t require any special or expensive equipment. It is quite easy to do. Some examples of cardio are running, cycling, and jumping rope.

Take it Slow
Take your time as you attempt to overcome your phobia. You won’t see results overnight. For example, start by simply viewing visuals with the number 6. Don’t expect instant success.

Seeking Professional Help

What if these self-help methods have zero impact on your fear of 666? There’s nothing to worry about. All you have to do is consult a trained professional about getting Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia treatment.

Mindfulness Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Stress Therapy or MBSR is a form of therapy that is used with people who suffer from severe stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression. The therapist tries to lessen the distractions caused by situations or things around you.

The therapist tries to make you pay attention to your thoughts in an attempt to increase self-awareness. Being aware of your actions and thoughts can enable you to work on them. This can help you lessen the effects of your phobia.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This is a form of therapy where the therapist tries and alters the patient’s thoughts to reach the desired goal. This is a highly effective method and can have lasting effects on the patient.
However, CBT does not deal with addressing past trauma. Rather, it focuses on issues that the patient is facing in the present.

Exposure Therapy
For some people, exposure therapy can work wonders. The idea here is to get you to overcome your phobia by making you come face-to-face with it.
It is a gradual process. At first, the therapist will start by asking you to simply think about the number 666. Once you’ve mastered that without getting symptoms, you will move on to actually viewing the number.
Remember, the treatment is monitored by a professional who will see and track your reactions. Don’t be scared. The therapist will only progress if you give your consent.

How to Avoid Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia

The first step to avoid this fear is to acknowledge that you have this phobia. Try and understand why you have this fear and what’s causing it. Only then can you do the work.
Stay patient and take baby steps to achieve your goal. Try exercising, meditating, and expressing yourself. These activities help in reducing stress and enable you to remain calm.

In Conclusion
Right now, you may feel that you’ll never get over this phobia. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can change that.
Have faith in the process and yourself. Soon, you can watch a horror movie with the number 666 without flinching.