The fear of ghosts
Phasmophobiais a persistent and intense fear of ghosts.
People with phasmophobia might know that theiranxietyis unfounded.
Still, they cant control their fear, which can cause significant distress.
Image Source RF/Steve Prezant/Getty Images
Many people get a few goosebumps while listening to a ghost story or watching a horror movie.
But people with phasmophobia fear the supernatural, which can seriously limit their lives through avoidance behaviors.
Read on to learn more about phasmophobia, including its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
Image Source RF/Steve Prezant/Getty Images
What Does Phasmophobia Mean?
Phasmophobia is an intense, persistent fear of ghosts.
These phobias fall under the broader category ofanxiety disorders.
A specific phobia is an intense fear or anxiety triggered immediately by a specific object or situation.
Specific phobias are also life-limiting, ongoing, and distressing.
They may feel that someone is watching them or that their home is haunted.
How Common Is Phasmophobia?
Specific phobias are fairly common anxiety disorders.
They’re more common in women than in men.
What Are the Symptoms of Phasmophobia?
Persons with a fear of ghosts may:
What’s the difference between phasmophobia vs. thanatophobia?
Phasmophobia refers to a fear of ghosts, whereasthanatophobiarefers to a fear of death or dying.
How Is Phasmophobia Diagnosed?
Phasmophobia isn’t a diagnosis in the DSM-5.
Instead, your healthcare provider can diagnose you using the criteria for a specific phobia.
What Are the Causes of Phasmophobia?
Phasmophobia and other specific phobias are often brought on by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
But there’s effective treatment available for phasmophobia and its related avoidance behaviors.
They include:
Summary
Phasmophobia is an intense, persistent fear of ghosts.
It’s a specific phobia under the larger umbrella of anxiety disorders, according to the DSM-5.
However, phasmophobia and other specific phobias can be treated effectively, usually with exposure therapy or CBT.
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