Although it is true that worms are not usually the animals that enjoy the greatest affection of the human public, these small invertebrates are not dangerous nor are they a threat to humans.
However, if the right circumstances occur, an excessive and irrational fear of these animals can develop. This is known as scholechiphobia In this article we will describe what it is, as well as its symptoms, causes and the existing treatments to combat it.
Scolechiphobia presents as a fear of worms that is excessive, irrational, and uncontrollable This condition belongs to the group of anxiety disorders, specifically specific phobias.
Although experiencing an aversive sensation or expressing an explicit dislike towards these small living beings is very common, when this aversion becomes a pathological and disabling fear We can talk about scolequiphobia.
To know the difference between a usual or ordinary fear and a phobia or pathological fear, we must find out what direct consequences this fear has on the daily routine of the person who suffers from it.
In this way, if a person feels repulsion or aversion to worms but they do not interfere in their life in a significant way, they do not have to suffer from scolequiphobia. However, in the event that the animal experiences a strong anxiety reaction to the presence of these animals, It will be recommended that you consult with a psychology professional
To know exactly if a fear, in this case the fear of worms, has the category of specific phobia, it is necessary to review the characteristics of the fear that the person experiences. Those requirements or qualities typical of phobic fear are the following.
The first point to keep in mind to differentiate between a normal fear and a phobic fear of worms is that this must be disproportionate compared to the actual threat that the phobic stimulus represents.
The fear reaction to the presence of these invertebrates must be intense and exaggerated, taking into account the real danger that they pose to the physical integrity of the person.
2. It is irrational
The person suffering from phobic fear is unable to find a justified and reasonable explanation for their reaction. In the same way, sometimes the person is perfectly aware of how harmless the phobic stimulus is, but still can’t help but generate an anxiety response to him
3. It is uncontrollable
The fear that a person with scolequiphobia feels is completely incoherent and, furthermore, absolutely uncontrollable. Therefore, the person is unable to produce or eliminate sensations of anxiety and fear.
These sensations appear automatically and mechanized and they will only be extinguished when the person has managed to escape or avoid the phobic stimulus.
Your symptoms
In addition to the characteristics of phobic fear, another dimension that allows us to identify an anxiety disorder is its symptomatology.
Like the rest of specific anxiety disorders, in scholechiphobia the person experiences an excessive reaction of nervousness and anxiety Within this symptomatology three groups of symptoms are included: physical symptoms, cognitive symptoms and behavioral symptoms.
However, as with a wide variety of psychological conditions and disorders, Not all people who suffer from it experience exactly the same symptoms not with the same intensity. But both its incidence and the severity of the disorder can change from one person to another.
The three groups of symptoms typical of phobias and their characteristics are mentioned below.
1. Physical symptoms
When the person with scolechiphobia is faced with the presence of the phobic stimulus, worms in this case, a process of great hyperactivity begins in the autonomic nervous system. This hyperactivity causes a large number of changes in the body, among which we highlight the following.
2. Cognitive symptoms
The fear and anxiety response conditioned to the appearance of the phobic stimulus are due to the fact that the person, at some point in their life, made an association of this stimulus with a series of irrational ideas
These thoughts, in this case related to worms, stimulate and provide the development and maintenance of the phobia and are characterized by presenting a series of poorly or unfounded ideas about worms, their characteristics and particularities.
These thoughts are characterized by the following peculiarities:
3. Behavioral symptoms
Like the rest of phobias and specific anxiety disorders, scholechiphobia is usually accompanied by a large number of reactions or behavioral manifestations that appear in response to the aversive stimulus.
The purpose of these acts is either to directly avoid being faced with the phobic stimulus, or to try to escape, in the event that the person has not been able to avoid the object of the phobia. These first behaviors are known as avoidance behaviors, while the second refers to escape behaviors.
Avoidance behaviors They are carried out with the intention of avoiding encounters with this type of animals. In them, the patient executes all types of behaviors to avoid the possibility of coinciding with the stimulus that is the object of the phobia. This is intended to avoid experiencing feelings of anguish and anxiety that the worms generate in the person.
Regarding escape behaviors these are generated when the person has not been able to avoid encountering the feared stimulus, so they will carry out all types of behaviors that make it easier for them to escape from the current situation as soon and as quickly as possible.
What is the cause?
Determining the origin of a phobia is an extremely complex task since there is no single triggering factor for the disorder. In any case, there are a series of factors that can facilitate its appearance.
Nevertheless, genetic predisposition of the person linked to the presence of a traumatic event or situation related in some way to worms will most likely trigger the appearance of the aforementioned phobia.
Is there a treatment?
In cases where fear is disabling or interferes with the person’s daily life, treatment for scolequiphobia can be started. Psychotherapy is used in this treatment to modify or eliminate the erroneous thoughts and beliefs that end up causing the rest of the symptoms.
This psychotherapy is accompanied by techniques for the treatment of phobias such as live exposure or systematic desensitization and relaxation training.
