What does autophobia mean? Definitions.net Autophobia is a fear of being alone.
There is a specific fear of being alone or isolated called autophobia.Sufferers need not be alone in order to believe that they are ignored.Contrary to what would be inferred by a reading of the term, autophobia is not a fear of oneself but of cars.It is associated with other anxiety disorders.[4]
It has many of the same characteristics as certain anxiety disorders and hyperventilation disorders, which is why it is considered part of a agoraphobic cluster.In case of emergency, the main concern of people with agoraphobia is their ability to get help.They are afraid of going out in public because of this.[5]
agoraphobia, self-hatred, and social anxiety are related to autophobia.It is often accompanied by other anxiety disorders and phobias.
There are different symptoms of autophobia.Many people with this disease suffer from some symptoms.One of the most common signs that a person is autophobic is an intense amount of apprehension and anxiety when alone or in a secluded area.People with this disorder believe that there is an impending disaster waiting to happen when they are left alone.For this reason, autophobes go to extreme lengths to avoid being alone.People with this disease don't need to be isolated to feel abandoned.A lot of the time, autophobes will be in a crowded area and feel as though they are secluded.[6]
People who suffer from borderline personality disorders are more likely to be diagnosed with autophobia.[7]
Social anxiety can cause autophobia.People who suffer from social anxiety will often experience panic attacks when they are left alone.When people become seriously autophobic, they start to find certain tasks and activities almost impossible to complete.When autophobias are faced with the possibility of going into a public place that is unfamiliar to them, this is usually the case.It can be related to agoraphobia, which leads to lowered self-confidence and uncertainty of their ability to finish certain activities alone.People with this fear think of the worst possible scenario.They might have a panic attack and think that they are going to die.10
Children being abandoned by their parents when they are young is one experience that doctors believe leads to the development of this fear.As they grow up, childhood trauma continues to affect them.They are afraid that all of the important people in their lives will leave or abandon them, which leads to autophobia.The behavior and experiences that these people had when they were young can lead to this particular fear.Abandonment can include being isolated financially or emotionally.Having life-changing experiences, also, hands fall off.
It can be developed later in life as well as at a young age.The death of a loved one or the end of an important relationship can cause individuals to develop this fear.A fear of being without a specific person is called autophobia.Sometimes tragic events in a person's life can lead to a fear of being alone in general.[5]
Monophobia, isolophobia, and eremophobia are related to autophobia.It is slightly different in definition.According to the medical dictionary, eremophobia is a fear of being alone.The Practitioner's Medical Dictionary defines autophobia as a morbid fear of solitude.[2]
When alone, autophobia can cause a small to extreme feeling of danger or fear.Each person has their own treatment for autophobia.The amount of time that sufferers are alone is slowly increased with the help of psychotherapy.There are no conclusive studies that support the use of medication as a treatment.If the patient's anxiety is too high, medication has been used to help them continue the therapy.[5]
It's not uncommon for sufferers to be unaware that they have anxiety and to not seek help.Like substance abuse, autophobia requires assistance from a medical professional.It is possible to use medication to treat symptoms of substance abuse.Group and individual therapy can be used to treat a fear.
Sometimes it can be very simple to treat mild cases of autophobia.Even if it is just for background noise, therapists recommend many different remedies to make patients feel like they are not alone.It is possible to help people suffering from autophobia by using noise.