Contents
Hello, dear readers of the site! Anthophobia (chromatophobia) is a pathological fear of flowers and their individual components. Most often, this fear of houseplants placed in pots.
And today we will talk about why it occurs, by what signs it can be determined and how to deal with it.
What is it like?
Anthophobia in the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases) is designated by the code F40.2 and is one of the isolated phobic disorders. It is not dangerous to human life, with the exception of aggravating factors in the form of allergies. But it causes a lot of trouble.
Because flowers are part of nature that surrounds any person, even in the most modern metropolis. After all, plants captured in the photo can also cause panic, it is not necessary to be next to a frightening pot.
A characteristic feature is the fact that not all flowers can cause horror, but only certain varieties. Mostly large plants. Much less often — trees, but these are already difficult cases.
Causes
Repression of feelings
If a child in childhood experienced a lack of attention and love from parents who preferred to take care of plants than of their own child, then this can affect his psyche.
He is unable to find constructive explanations for such behavior. That, for example, my mother was simply in a difficult emotional state herself. Perhaps, in general, she had some kind of disorder.
And he could easily displace resentment, anger and other unpleasant and strong emotions by endowing innocent flower pots with terrifying characteristics.
Negative experience
If a person burns himself with an iron at least once, then it is quite normal that next time he will be more careful with it. In some cases, he may begin to be afraid of hot objects to the point of horror.
Same with anthophobia. Fear of flowers threatens to arise after the sting of a bee that has been disturbed while collecting pollen. Or after watching a horror movie, if there were pots of plants nearby. They will become a kind of «anchor», reminiscent of the fear experienced.
In the same way, a phobia can form if a child has lost a very close loved one. Suppose my mother died, and there were a huge number of wreaths and bouquets at the funeral.
Subsequently, the bitterness of loss will be associated with these attributes, provoking a panic attack.
Physiological causes
Some people are allergic to pollen, and then trying to avoid any intersections with pots, bouquets is a completely healthy reaction.
In principle, then the fear of touching the source of poor health is not irrational. Accordingly, it is not considered a phobia.
But if a person is allergic to one species, and he panics at the sight of any plants at all, then, of course, we are talking about a disorder.
More reasons that provoke the development of anthophobia are indicated in the article devoted directly to the signs and main methods of treating phobias.
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with it in order to own a large amount of information and really “get to the bottom” of the origins of your condition.
Symptoms
At the sight of pots or photographs with flowers, a person may have a panic attack. Which is usually characterized by increased blood pressure, palpitations, sweating and hand tremors. In special cases, there is vomiting, diarrhea and nausea, loss of consciousness.
Attend thoughts about the inevitability of death and, in general, the frailty of existence.
In addition to anxiety, horror, there is a feeling of powerlessness. And total isolation. The phobia itself looks ridiculous, but, unfortunately, makes life limited. Antophobe avoids attending ceremonial events.
Even just a walk around the city can be fatal and add shame for your reactions to significant people, and indeed, strangers.
Treatment
It is highly recommended to consult a specialist. Therapy can help reduce stress levels, get support, and generally understand why this disorder has overtaken you.
In the case of a seasonal exacerbation of allergies, for example, when ambrosia blooms, a person may well not leave the house because of fear.
And such social isolation inevitably leads to depression. Which is sometimes hard to deal with. Therefore, drug treatment is prescribed in combination with psychotherapy.
And at home, be sure to practice relaxation techniques. For example, breathing, meditative. But in no case do not “give up” and do not be irresponsible about anthophobia.
With the right treatment, it is quite easy to cope with it and control your emotional state without bringing it to panic attacks.
Completion
And that’s all for today, dear readers! There are a huge number of phobias in the world, some of them seem ridiculous, funny.
For example, do you know what Anglophobia means, and what are the main signs of its manifestation? If not, no problem, click here. And in general, subscribe to the site, you will find many more unusual and interesting things.
Take care of yourself, and, of course, be healthy and happy!
The material was prepared by a psychologist, Gestalt therapist, Zhuravina Alina