Phobia is an obsessive, unreasonable fear that occurs in a person in certain situations that have nothing to do with danger to life.
There are many varieties of phobias - more than 300 types. Among them are those that can be somehow explained logically, for example, the fear of spiders or heights. And there are some that defy explanation. One of these strange phobias is cherophobia - the fear of having fun.
What is cherophobia?
The word Cherophobia is derived from the Greek words Chero, which translates as "rejoice, have fun" and Phobia, which means "fear". Thus, cherophobia is an uncontrollable, inexplicable panic fear that accompanies all situations related to joy, fun, happiness. Even thoughts of future events are terrifying, not just current events.
Cherophobia symptoms
Distinctive symptoms of cherophobia are panic fear of fun, regular withdrawal from situations associated with manifestations of joy. If it is impossible to avoid such eventssymptoms characteristic of all types of phobias appear: panic sets in, accompanied by suffocation, rapid heartbeat, trembling, weakness, faintness, cold sweat, indigestion, cramps in the throat, a feeling of horror.
It happens that the symptoms weaken when there is a loved one nearby, whom the heroophobe completely trusts.
Causes of herophobia
The causes of cherophobia are being carefully studied, but not yet fully understood.
Cherophobia can occur even after a single but unsuccessful prank or banter in childhood. After all, sometimes children arrange very cruel jokes. Although harmless banter can also lead to sad consequences if the victim is overly impressionable. The fear of finding yourself in a situation where you feel bad again, and everyone around is funny and fun, constantly haunts a person and makes you avoid fun people and positive emotions.
Another reason could be a tragic event that immediately followed or during a happy event. For example, the death of a loved one on their birthday.
Mental disorders and genetic predisposition are also common causes of this condition.
Who is at risk of becoming a herophobe?
In most cases, any phobias develop in children of anxious parents. Raising a child, they form in him a dangerous attitude towards what they themselves are afraid of. In the case of cherophobia, these are holidays, fun, joy, happiness.
It is noticed that suchthe state of introverts, this is due to the fact that they do not feel comfortable surrounded by a large number of people, especially strangers. Therefore, any activities, including entertainment, cause discomfort for introverts.
There are two more categories of people who are prone to the manifestation of cherophobia - these are people with a very rich imagination and emotional, overly sensitive people.
Portrait of a Herophobe
Cherophobes are characterized by isolation, closeness from the outside world. It is more comfortable for them to live, completely immersed in their experiences. They can plunge headlong into their work, only to not notice how others are happy and having fun.
They are afraid to be happy, because they think that happiness is bound to be followed by something terrible. Because of this, they do not strive at all to improve their lives. And some believe that they simply do not deserve to be happy and enjoy life.
With cherophobia, a person on holidays experiences severe anxiety, anxiety, uncertainty, panic fear. They force him to avoid any entertainment, and if it is impossible to refuse to participate in such activities, they try to find a secluded safe place for themselves.
They avoid not only holidays, but also funny people who try to make them laugh, cheer them up or start telling funny stories from life. Herophobes do not understand why people need fun, why people celebrate holidays, have parties, gather for birthdays and have fun on every occasion.
Cherophobia treatment
Not knowing that the way out of this difficult state is quite simple, people sometimes suffer for years. But it turns out that cherophobia is one of the phobias that can be safely cured. This can be done by contacting a specialist who works with various phobias. Treatment is through psychotherapy. The choice of a specific treatment method is selected individually after a conversation.
When influencing the root cause of fear with the help of hypnosis, psychoanalysis and cognitive-behavioral therapy, the ability is gradually formed not to lose self-control when faced with a phobic situation, as well as while being in it. So, step by step, he realizes that joy and fun cannot harm him.
Cherophobia can be cured on its own only if a person consciously decides to face his fear. Fully plunge into the atmosphere of fun and joy. But not every herophobe will decide on this. Therefore, it is better to seek help from a psychotherapist. After all, getting rid of cherophobia is a great happiness.
