Fear of men is an extreme, persistent fear of males.
It is a key in ofspecific phobia, a kind ofanxiety disorderthat can affect people of every gender.
Androphobiais the scientific name for fear of males.
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This article discusses the symptoms and causes of androphobia.
It explains the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder, and some self-help techniques to avoid episodes of androphobia.
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What Is the Fear of Men?
Fear is a natural response when a safety risk is perceived.
However, fear of males typically outweighs any threat or possibility of harm.
(DSM-5), but its characteristics are similar.
If you struggle with fear of males, you may find yourself constantly avoiding them.
You realize that your fear is unfounded, but you’re able to’t shake it.
Androphobia can diminish your ability to function in family, work, or social prefs.
Prejudice against or deep contempt for males is calledmisandry.
Its counterpart ismisogyny, the hatred of females.
The part of the brain called theamygdalabecomes overstimulated and fails to reduce emotional responses to certain triggers.
There are several possible underlying causes, or their combinations, for changes in brain activity.
Sensitization
Sensitization is a learned fear response of exaggerated emotional responses to certain cues.
Research suggests that people can be conditioned to fear something or someone by associating things with a negative event.
For instance, a cue could be a smell, image, or sound.
Although a cue may have nothing to do with an adverse event, it provokes fearful thoughts.
Observational conditioning happens as one individual sees someone else experiencing symptoms of a phobia.
Other Mental Health Disorders
Androphobia may also develop or escalate with othermental health conditions.
They may want to screen you for this or other psychiatric disorders.
Your healthcare provider will likely refer you to a licensedmental health professionalfor an official diagnosis.
The clinician will base their findings on a comprehensive interview, referring to standard diagnostic criteria.
Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing someone to the source of their phobia and increasing the closeness little by little.
Medication is not usually prescribed for phobias in general.
However,anti-anxiety medicationsmay be prescribed if you and your healthcare provider feel they’re right for you.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy istalk therapy.
This term refers to numerous kinds of treatments designed to help you pinpoint and address undesirable thoughts and emotions.
Some medications might work by decreasing symptoms of related anxiety or depression.
However, you should take them only under your healthcare provider’s supervision.
Summary
Androphobia is an excessive, uncontrollable fear of men that interferes with your life.
It causes profound distress at the sight or thought of males.
Causes can include traumatic experiences, environmental influences, or a co-occurring condition such as addiction.
Treatment methods vary but usually include therapy with a mental health professional and relaxation exercises.
Medication use is rare, unless there is underlying anxiety and/or depression that needs to be treated.
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Published online August 25, 2015:gbv060.
