There are different types of phobias, and some of these can be really strange. Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia or fear of the number 666, coulrophobia or fear of clowns or turophobia or fear of cheese, are some examples. Another phobia that may seem strange is pediophobia or fear of dolls.
Dolls are adorable objects that remind us of childhood and innocence, but some people may suffer from an irrational fear of these toys that represent the human figure, although in smaller dimensions. In cinema, some films have based their stories around these objects, sometimes demonized or possessed in their scripts.
Pediophobia is the irrational fear of dolls, and not only dolls with a diabolical image, but any of them. In many cases, in addition, pediatricophobics may also feel a great fear of robots and mannequins. This phobia should not be confused with pedophobia, which is the fear of children.
Sigmund Freud thought that this disorder had its origin in the fear that this object will come to life. However, to understand pediophobia, which is part of the phobic disorders, the behavioral approach seems to be more effective, since phobias usually originate from classical conditioning.
A phobia similar to coulrophobia
Like clowns, dolls are associated with children and produce different sensations and emotions in us. We usually associate them with fun and endearing moments; and dolls are ideal as a form of entertainment.
But despite this image we have of clowns and dolls, these figures are also associated with negative and unpleasant images, causing real fear. Clowns and dolls are also horror figures in the world of cinema, and have acted as murderers in some films. In the case of clowns, reality has surpassed fiction, and John Wayne Gacy is known, the gloomy case of the murderous clown, who dressed up to commit his crimes.
What causes a phobia
A phobia is an irrational fear towards some object, situation or activity, that is, towards a phobic stimulus. It is an anxiety disorder and can be very disabling. People with some type of phobia usually avoid the phobic stimulus because of the great discomfort it makes them feel.
Phobias usually develop due to a series of environmental factors, although some experts claim that genetic predisposition is decisive. However, the hypothesis of environmental factors has more weight, and the cause of someone developing a phobic disorder is usually a traumatic experience experienced around that stimulus. Generally, this precipitating event occurs in childhood, and the phobia appears due to associative learning or classical conditioning.
Dolls can also cause phobia indirectly, since in some films they can represent evil, being possessed or murderers, but they can also be associated with voodoo and, therefore, black magic or witchcraft.
And many science fiction movies or novels have diabolical or evil dolls as protagonists, for example, the Chucky movies, so some children are terrified by this evil image.
Symptoms of doll phobia
Individuals who suffer from this irrational fear of dolls They feel great anxiety or discomfort when being around them, watching them on television, or imagining them. Therefore, fear and panic combined with anxiety are the main symptoms. Furthermore, like any type of phobia, the person who suffers from this disorder avoids the feared stimulus, and performs behaviors to avoid having to expose themselves to the source of discomfort.
The symptoms of phobias are practically the same for all phobic disorders, and are the following:
Treatment of this disorder
Since this disorder can be disabling and cause an intense feeling of discomfort, It is necessary to go to a psychology professional to be able to overcome it. Generally, the psychologist will carry out a treatment that includes cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, such as systematic desensitization or expository techniques; However, some professionals also use mindfulness or hypnotherapy.
Without a doubt, systematic desensitization is the most popular technique to overcome the fear of dolls or pediophobia. This technique consists of slow and gradual exposure to the feared stimulus and encourages more useful coping skills in the patient. For example, the patient may begin by looking at photographs of dolls, reading books, or watching movies about these toys. Once they are able to control this fear in these situations, they can expose themselves to the actual feared stimulus. In severe cases, treatment may include anti-anxiety drugs, although never as an alternative to psychological therapy.
Some apps to treat phobias
With the inclusion of new technologies in our lives, they not only have recreational use, but also They can be used for clinical or psychotherapeutic purposes. In recent years, different apps have appeared that help overcome phobias.
If you suffer from any type of phobia, our article: “8 apps to treat phobias and fears from your smartphone” may interest you.” So check it out if you want.
