Nosophobia

Fear of disease is a common occurrence in the modern world. The disease not only causes physical damage, but also causes a number of accompanying changes in many aspects of a person’s life: all the usual patterns of life are disrupted, the person experiences anxiety, fear of the future, etc. This syndrome is called “nosophobia”.

Nosophobes are people who are terrified of getting sick. A phobia can arise for a variety of reasons: it may be related to events that occurred in early childhood, as well as individual character traits or personal problems. Symptoms of nosophobic disorder may include insomnia, anxiety about possible symptoms of illness, worrying about pain or changes in the body, avoidance of communication with other people, disturbances in appetite or eating patterns, emotional indifference and fatigue.

One of the most well-known diseases with nosophobic properties is the fear of water. People suffering from hydrophobia (fear of water) avoid contact with it on a deep level, refusing to swim, take a bath or even go to the pool. They may refuse to wash or prepare for bathing, preferring to blow dry their hair or use a dryer. This can lead to a number of negative consequences, including stagnation in the body and infection. Hydrophobes may experience shortness of breath, increased heart rate, and dizziness when in contact with water. In severe cases, they may even lose consciousness. Because of this, many people suffering from hydrophobia are often hospitalized to prevent possible serious consequences. Hydrophobia can occur in young children, adults or the elderly and usually has a genetic basis. Ultimately, such people become prone to mental and physical health problems.

Another group of phobias is fear of heights. As a rule, it occurs in older age groups, although it sometimes occurs in children.