discomfort onseeing the patterns of small holes, bumps or clusters they feeluncomfortablebehaves irrationally and most importantly they even cannot bear the sight of such objects.
Phobia of holes is not officially recognized in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and statistical manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
What triggers trypophobia?
There are several objects that can trigger trypophobia though the research is relatively limited but there are certain facts that determine reasons for triggering trypophobia .
- Honeycombs
- Strawberries
- Pomegranates
- Condensation
- Bubbles
- Holes or bumps on flesh
- Insect eyes
- Coral
- Molds
- Holes in diseased or decaying flesh
- Bubble wrap
- Fruit seeds
- Sea sponges
- Cantaloupe
- Aluminum metal foam
- Spotted skin of animals
Symptoms of trypophobia triggers up when seeing patterns of holes or cluster of holes people react with disgust or fear. Some of the symptoms for Phobia Of Holes are mentioned below:
- goosebumps
- feeling repulsed
- feeling uncomfortable
- distress
- visual discomfort such as eye strain, distortions or illusions
- feeling your skin crawl
- panic attacks sweating
- nausea
- body shake
- feelings of revisions
- rapid breathing
- fear and anxiety
- itching
- vomiting
TREATMENT FOR PHOBIA OF HOLES
The study and research on phobia of holes is limited and that’s why there is no proper diagnosis for its treatment but many other treatments applied to treat the patients suffering with trypophobia were likely helpful in reducing symptoms. Various techniques and therapies were practiced they are mentioned below:
- Treatment with exposure therapy: to treat the phobia of holes through exposure which means exposing the person to their fear object, they are asked to close their eyes and imagine a picture of honeycomb, or seed pod if the patient does not show any symptom of discomfort they are shifted to next level where they are asked to look at the image if the symptom does not trigger they are asked to touch the object to check the of level of disgust or discomfort. The process of exposure therapy continues until the person is comfortable while dealing with an object that could provoke trypophobia.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: under this treatment a patient who suffers with unrealistic thoughts believing that there is something dangerous or threatening which could harm their life. The cognitive therapy helps reducing negative automatic thoughts when the person is exposed to the source of fear then their mind and beliefs are replaced with positive thoughts.
- Relaxation techniques: to get rid of phobia of holes relaxation techniques or strategies are useful in reducing feeling of disgust or fear. Visualization, deep breathing and muscle relaxation are helpful.A person who sees the site of clustered holes can be distracted with something to divert his mind from feeling disgust.
As there are no extensive research programs on phobia of holes and several psychologists have different views which does not provide any favorable conclusion so if any person whosuffers with phobia of holes can be diagnosed through above mentioned treatments and therapies.
