Trypophobia:What is it? | Triggers | Symptoms | Causes | Treatment

Trypophobia or the fear of holes.

Trypophobia refers to a strong fear of closely packed holes. People typically feel queasy, disgusted, and distressed when looking at surfaces that have small holes gathered close together.

The name trypophobia, first introduced on a web forum in 2005, combines the Greek words “trypa” (punching or drilling holes) and “phobia” (fear or aversion).

Not only does the holes cause this phobia, even structures or patterns arranged in a specific manner can trigger this phobia. Imagine looking at a bee-hive, well most often it is on higher surface and is so harmless, but this pattern itself can trigger a strong aversion.

A sweet little Dalmatian puppy with his obvious spots wouldn’t even ever think that someone could be petrified with these spots. However, the thing to note is that it’s not the innocent puppy’s mistake it is just that anything that looks like holes or is arranged in that way is going to trigger or aggravate the phobia for a person with trypophobia.

Let’s see what more can trigger trypophobia

Ø  Lotus seed pods

Ø  Honeycombs

Ø  Strawberries

Ø  Coral

Ø  Seeded breads

Ø  Swiss cheese

Ø  Scabs or lesions on skin

Ø  Aluminum metal foam

Ø  Pomegranates

Ø  Sponges

Ø  Pebbled or graveled roads

Ø  Bubbles

Ø  Condensation

Ø  Cantaloupe

Ø  A cluster of eyes

Animals with spotted skin or fur — think leopards, Dalmatians, or poison dart frogs — can also prompt revulsion and fear. This could also include fabrics that may have a pattern like say even polka dots.

Now does trypophobia have any symptoms?

Generally one could notice feelings of disgust and discomfort when looking at an object or surface with small clusters of holes or shapes that resemble holes. It could even be a feeling of disgust, a sense of feeling uncomfortable, or just visualizing it could freak you out.

Specific symptoms might include:

Ø  Goosebumps, chills, or the sensation of your skin crawling

Ø  Gagging or nausea

Ø  Sweating

Ø  Rapid heartbeat

Ø  Dizziness or lightheadedness

Ø  Visual discomfort, including eye strain, distortions, or illusions

Ø  A general sense of discomfort or distress

Ø  A strong desire to get away from the image or object

Ø  Feelings of panic or a panic attack

Ø  Shaking or trembling

Some experts theorize this fear of closely packed holes may develop as an extension of a biological fear of venomous or otherwise dangerous creatures.

Causes of Trypophobia

Research on trypophobia is still quite limited, but there are some theories about why it happens.

Researchers who analyzed images that produced an anxiety response in people with trypophobia found that high contrast colors in a certain graphic arrangement tended to trigger anxiety, disgust, and other symptoms.

They also found that images of certain highly dangerous animals, including the king cobra, deathstalker scorpion, and blue-ringed octopus, shared certain spectral properties with the trypophobic images. Spectral properties refer to subtle things, like contrast and spatial frequency, that can impact how your eyes and brain take in images.

Cure for Trypophobia

Along with Psychotherapies you may want to use exposure therapy along with your health care provider:

Ø  Breathing and relaxation can help before your start the exposure

Ø  Using CBT or other Techniques like programming the mind.

Conclusion:

Sometimes the phobia can be very challenging in smoothly handling your life. However, please feel free to get in touch with your therapist to help you Transform Happily!