Pediophobia is a specific type of phobia in which an individual develops an irrational fear of dolls even though they pose no actual threat. So, though children mostly love dolls, some with this phobia become distressed. They scream and even cry at just the sight of the doll.
Find more information about this fear of dolls, its symptoms, causes and treatment below.
Pediophobia is derived from the Greek word ‘Paidion’, which translates to ‘little child.’ In this specific phobia, people fear inanimate objects in human figures or anything that appears humanlike.
So apart from dolls, people with this phobia can also fear:
The following are the symptoms of Pediophobia which individuals commonly experience when exposed to their fear:
The exact cause of the fear of dolls is still unknown, but experts suggest a traumatic experience mainly triggers it. The instances include:
The risk of developing this phobia can increase due to the following factors:
Apart from creating anxiety Pediophobia can also develop other complications:
Mental health experts follow the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose Pediophobia. It involves confirming the following:
The following are the treatment for Pediophobia that doctors may suggest either individually or in combination:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, is a common type of therapy used for almost every type of phobia. It helps people identify their subconscious thoughts, feelings and behaviours. This, in turn, helps individuals choose the thoughts or reactions they want to experience.
Selective Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the two medications doctors suggest for controlling anxiety. Apart from this, it may also help with phobia.
Exposure therapy helps develop the skill of how to deal with fear. For this, the mental health expert pushes their patient to increase contact with the object they fear. As a result of continuous exposure, the intensity of fear decreases.
Pediophobia is more common to develop during childhood when a child is still learning to separate fantasy from reality. Moreover, doctors are able to diagnose this fear after it has persisted for more than six months. So, its effect can stay longer than that. On the other hand, speaking of the duration of its symptoms, it usually stays for 10 minutes or more.
Generally, people can manage their fear by adopting coping techniques. However, it is probably time to see a doctor if it becomes impossible to avoid the fear or if it starts affecting day-to-day activity.
The most efficient way to cope with Pediophobia is to avoid triggers that induce fear. Other self-help techniques you can follow are:
This is all the information on Pediophobia, including what type of fear it is, its causes, symptoms, treatment and diagnosis method. Read it to find out if you or your kid need medical help and the therapies that will help you overcome it. Also, follow the coping methods to manage its symptoms in a better way.
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Disclaimer #2: This information is added only for informative purposes and collected from different sources across the Internet. Digit Insurance is not promoting or recommending anything here. Please verify the information before making any decisions.
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