Cacophobia (Fear Of Ugliness): Causes, Symptoms, Complications, And Treatment

Cacophobia can be described as an irrational fear of ugliness. This is different from any materialistic fear as each experiences a different set of emotions and shows different symptoms. This is because ugliness is not something that can be measured via any specific tool or methodology, it is subjective to anyone.

Not only do the patients feel different sets of symptoms, but the intensity of the symptoms is also not the same. Some may not feel any different, but on the other hand, some react on such extremities that they need medical attention.

This can also be a very expressive or insidious condition. Some may express it via verbal or other forms of gestures, while others may keep it inside and don’t let anyone know about it.

Environment and genetics are the common reasons behind phobias of this type. Prolonged stress, anxiety, and fear can lead to Cacophobia.

Summary: Cacophobia is an unusual fear of ugliness. It is extremely different from other fears. The actual cause behind developing this fear could be genetics or environmental factors. In this, each individual experiences different kinds of emotions.

The symptoms of Cacophobia can be different in each individual case. Symptoms may vary from one person to the other. Some of them are as follows:

• Feeling anxious when thinking or near something that is “ugly”.
• Inability to cope with strong emotions.
• Judgmental and self-critical towards others.
• Disgust when looking or thinking about something that is “ugly”.
• Low self-esteem.
• Have a very poor self-image.

Apart from personal symptoms other things one may become a narcissist or critical. They criticize everything to make themselves feel good. Others keep changing themselves to make them feel good.

Summary: Since everyone has different reactions towards ugliness, their symptoms in each case can be different. From self-criticism to public narcism, it can be diverse.

As mentioned earlier, phobia, or in this case Cacophobia works on the basis of irrational logic and overpowering thoughts for being ugly. In Cacophobia, one may feel the high intensity of fear, anxiety, and panic when feeling or seeing something ugly.

If the phobia stays for too long in your life it can eventually create a negative impact on personal, professional, and social life. Like any other phobia, the root cause of this irrational fear is still not accurately concluded. But there are some things that can be behind Cacophobia, they are:

• Hurtful or negative encounters with supernatural spirits like physical or mental damage to oneself or others.
• Genetics
• Cultural or environmental factors.
• Exposure to media with supernatural elements.
• Alterations in your overall brain functioning.

Summary: The main cause behind such phobias is still unknown. However, some of the factors like environment, past experiences, and genetics can be behind this irrational fear of ugliness.

There is no specific way to diagnose phobia however your medical professional will follow a set of procedures in order to know the reason behind your irrational fear of ugliness.

At your first session, your doctor will discuss your problems, associated symptoms, and any physical or mental stress you had due to the same. The session will also include your medical, psychiatric, and social history to know the severity of the case.

The second phase of the session may include psychological testing and physical examination to identify the trigger points.

If you are diagnosed with Cacophobia or any other psychological disorder they will design the plan for your treatment along with its time duration and exercises alongside it.

Summary: Diagnoses of cacophobia are identical to any other diagnosis. First, doctors will examine your situation, and to confirm the hypothesis they will run some tests to get surety.

Here are some of the methods that one can use in order to prevent Cacophobia:

• Try to face the feared situations be relaxed about it.
• Reach out and talk to your close ones or join a support group.
• Take care of your physical and mental health.
• Try to module the fear into some positive situation.

Summary: There are no different methods adopted to prevent Cacophobia. Simple therapies like relaxation, joining social groups, and taking extra care of your health can help you in overcoming this phobia.

It may seem crazy at first but the moment you learn about your phobia, you may feel annoyed and get stuck many times. Prolonged exposure to Cacophobia can be harmful to mental and physical health. Here are some signs that may signal you to visit a mental health professional:

• It has a negative impact on professional, personal or academic performance.
• Creating a drastic impact on social life, especially your relationships with your close ones.
• Hamper your daily life activities.

In the case of children, parents need to keep a close eye on their offspring as Cacophobia can outgrow their fears into something more drastic. The fear of ugliness not only hampers their childhood but also affects their ability to run into society normally. So you know any child, who may show the same symptoms, take them to a mental healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Summary: Phobias like Cacophobia can be hard to handle, even harder to acknowledge or diagnose on your own. Consult a professional psychiatrist in order to get accurate diagnoses.

In most cases, one may need a medical professional in order to cope with their phobia. Most people take mental health conditions like Cacophobia very lightly, however, it can be very damaging to an individual’s mental and physical health if not addressed on time.

Psychotherapy is the first choice that is used to treat Cacophobia. This treatment is much more effective than the drugs prescribed by doctors. This includes cognitive behavioural therapy that incorporates therapeutic tools and techniques to counter Cacophobia.

In this sort of treatment, the most common interventions performed are:

• Gradual exposure is given to the phobic element so that the patient can learn to deal with the fear.
• Relaxation therapy is used to calm down the symptoms of anxiety.
• Cognitive therapy is applied to the patient to modify the thoughts of ugliness.

Summary: Treatments associated with Cacophobia may include cognitive therapies, techniques followed by relaxation sessions so that the patient can well manage the fear of ugliness.

There is no specific diet designed for phobias like cacophobia. However, you can ask your medical professional if any specific intake of consumables will benefit your course of treatment.

There are no such dietary indications that need to be followed in Cacophobia. You may consult your doctor according to your current situation and medical treatment.

The side effects of the treatment may depend on the type of medication your doctor has prescribed you alongside the therapeutic treatment that your doctor is using in order to treat your phobia.

Summary: The side effects of the treatments depend upon two factors- medication and therapeutic treatment.

The urgency of medical aid in the case of Cacophobia depends upon the situation. If the patient becomes a threat to oneself or others, then it is urgent to take the patient to the medical facilities. Otherwise one can contact their psychiatrist or counselor as soon as possible.

Summary: It totally depends upon the situation. If the patient is out of control then, then urgent medical help is required.

The treatment of the procedure merely depends on each individual case and the method of treatment that has been selected to do so.

Summary: The recovery speed depends upon case to case. If the situation of the patient is critical then the treatment can last for a longer duration of time.

Psychological practice and treatment are very expensive in India as of now it is only limited to the upper class. However, identifying and treating psychological disorders are now being introduced at the grassroots level.

Psychological counseling may start from as low as INR 500 per hour and can go up to INR 2000 per hour depending on the psychiatrist. Medication-related psychological treatment comes with a moderate price tag.

Summary: Cacophobia treatments can cost you a lot in India. An average person can hardly afford the treatment cost. However, there are a few psychological counseling sessions that are affordable. You need to consult with the right psychologist to get the right direction and efficient cost methods.

There are no specific physical exercises designed in order to cure Cacophobia. But one can keep a healthy fitness regime in order to maintain adequate physical health.

Summary: Cacophobia doesn’t require physical exercise. But yes, one can maintain a healthy lifestyle by following a perfect fitness regime. This can ensure better mental health too.

Since Cacophobia is a psychological condition, it can be triggered at any point in time making the treatment partially permanent. However, elongated treatments are mostly permanent treatments in most cases. Some treatments are also backed by medication and those have the maximum chances of reappearing.

Summary: It is difficult to say if the results of the treatment are permanent or semi-permanent because it is a psychological condition. The issue might arise again if the situation of phobia reappears.

If you are not planning to consult a psychiatrist or take medication then self-control techniques are the best alternatives. The best way for an individual to overcome is to face the fears that trigger your anxiety.

Summary: Self-controlling methods are the best alternatives to the treatment of Cacophobia. It can better help you deal with the fear of ugliness than prescribed drugs or treatments.

People who are suffering from Cacophobia are eligible for the treatment. Also, people with the same set of symptoms mentioned above can also consult a psychiatrist for diagnosis and treatment plans.

People who have mild symptoms of ugliness and are not suffering from Cacophobia are not eligible for the treatment.

Here are some of the post-treatment guidelines that one can adopt in order to prevent any relapse:

• Try to face the feared situations and be relaxed about it.
• Reach out and talk to your close ones or join a support group.
• Take care of your physical and mental health.
• Try to module the fear into some positive situation.

Summary: Cacophobia is a psychological disorder that can be described as a fear of being or seeing something ugly. Cacophobia is a sense of fear one feels when coming near or thinking about ugliness. It is not necessary that only adults can be afraid, but children are also prone to mental disorders. Cacophobia works on the basis of irrational logic and overpowering thoughts about a particular subject like beauty. One can come out of this very easily with the help of therapy sessions and medication if treated on time.