Trypophobia (Fear of Holes) : Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Trypophobia is a fear of packed holes. People suffering from this phobia feel queasy while looking at surfaces that have small holes assembled together. Some of the examples of trypophobia are the head of a lotus seed pod or strawberry body that could make a person feel discomfort.

It is to be mentioned that this phobia is not officially recognized. Studies on trypophobia are limited, and many types of research that are available have not assured that whether or not it should be considered an official condition, It is not much known about trypophobia. But common triggers include things like lotus seed pods, honeycombs, strawberries, pomegranates, bubbles, cantaloupe, a cluster of eyes, etc.

It is to be mentioned that animals, including, insects, amphibians, mammals, and other creatures that have spotted skin or fur, can also trigger symptoms of trypophobia in a person.

Trypophobia- the fear of repetitive patterns of closely packed holes or protrusions- is not recognized as an official diagnosis. It is considered by some experts to be a kind of anxiety disorder.

The symptoms of trypophobia are triggered when a person sees an object with small clusters of holes or shapes that resemble holes.

When a person suffering from trypophobia comes across a cluster of holes, they react with disgust or fear. Some of the symptoms include:

• Goosebumps
• Feeling repulsed
• Feeling uncomfortable
• Visual discomforts such as eyestrain, distortions, or illusions
• Distress
• Feeling your skin crawl
• Panic attacks
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Body shakes

Common things that can trigger trypophobia:

• Air holes in a slice of bread
• Holes in an old hockey mask spotted animals
• Shower heads
• LEDs in traffic lights
• Holes or pebbles in concrete
• Skin problems like sores, scars and spots

Research on this phobia is limited but there are some theories that explain why Trypophobia occurs.

Evolutionary CausesAs per the theory, this phobia occurs due to an evolutionary response. People have a response against the things which are either related to any danger or disease. The theory also suggests that a person will experience more disgust than fear when they will come across looking at a triggered object.

Associations With Dangerous AnimalsOne of the theories also elucidates that there are some similarities being shared in appearance related to clustered holes over the skin and coat on some venomous animals. Therefore, people might also fear to look at such animals.

Associations With Infectious Pathogens:In 2017, a study concluded that after viewing such patterns, the participants were reported to have skin-itching and skin-crawling. Thus showed that participants were inclined to associate with hole patterns. Participants also connect to skin-transmitted pathogens. It has been believed by the researchers that this phobia is more generalized than it is justified and an overstated form of normally adaptive response of people.

To diagnose trypophobia, your doctor will ask you a series of questions about your symptoms. Your medical, social and psychiatric history will also help, thus this information will also be taken. They may also refer to the DSM-5 to help in their diagnosis. It is worth mentioning that trypophobia is not a diagnosable condition because the phobia is not officially recognized by medical and mental health associations.

There are different ways through which a phobia can be treated. The same methods are also applicable to the treatment of trypophobia. Some of the ways through which trypophobia can be treated are given below

Exposure therapy: In this therapy, an individual is repeatedly exposed to the objects which he/he fears. It is the most preferred method for treating the condition of trypophobia as it has been noted that repeated exposure of an individual to the fear has led to a substantial reduction in the fear.

Flooding: the objective of this therapy is to desensitize the person of trypophpbia and this objective is attained by completely immersing the person in non-debilitating stimuli. The process is continued until the fear of the object completely vanishes. This process is used in conjunction with relaxation therapies to obtain positive results.

Behavioral therapy: in this method training sessions are carried out to assist the patient in controlling his/her undesired behavior due to the fear of the object. This therapy is very helpful in for the patients as it teaches them to adapt in situations when the patient is exposed to small holes.

Cognitive therapy: the objective of this therapy is to change the perception of the patient arising from thoughts that are unsettling or destructive. Through this therapy, the patient learns to differentiate unreal situations from the real ones. In order to observe the positive effects of the therapy, the active participation of the patient is required.

Combination therapy: in this therapy both cognitive and behavioral therapy are used in a combination. This therapy helps the patient in dealing with the fear along with reacting normally when he/she encounters tiny clusters of holes.

A doctor may also prescribe some anti-depressants and beta-blockers to deal with the side effects associated with the phobia.

Other treatment options that can help you manage this phobia include:

• Talk therapy with a counselor or psychiatrist
• Medications (beta-blockers & sedatives to help reduce anxiety and panic symptoms)
• Deep breathing
• Yoga
• Physical activity
• Exercise to manage anxiety
• Mindful breathing
• Observation, listening, and other mindful strategies to help cope with stress

To deal with trypophobia it is also helpful to:

• Take proper rest
• Consume a balanced diet
• Avoid consuming caffeine and other substances that can make anxiety worse
• Talk to friends, family, or a support group to connect with other people managing the same issues
• Try facing fearful situations head-on as often as possible

There is no cure available for people suffering from the problem of trypophobia. However, making use of modern psychotherapy techniques and methods may provide a powerful tool to alleviate the symptoms of trypophobia. Several therapies which are commonly used for dealing with the problem of traumatization also have a great impact on the condition.

If you are experiencing acute symptoms of Trypophobia, using relaxation techniques can shorten their duration while they are occurring and reduce their frequency and intensity in future. For example, deep breathing can calm your anxiety and fear by slowing down your heart rate and inducing a relaxation response in your body. The technique for this is:

• Exhale slowly through your nose for a four count.
• Inhale slowly through your nose for a four count.
• Exhale slowly through your nose for a four count.
• Continue breathing this way for one to five minutes.

This phobia is not officially recognized as a phobia. There are many pieces of research that found evidence that trypophobia exists in some form and its symptoms (if triggered) can impact the everyday life of a person. It is advised to consult your doctor or take the help of a therapist if you think you are suffering from trypophobia. They can help you find the root of the fear and manage your symptoms.

Anyone who has ever tried to conquer the irrational fear like trypophobia or vaccinophobia knows just how difficult the effort can be. Seeming the impossibility of it all leads many sufferers to give up, allowing their phobic tendencies to take over their lives. Following are the strategies for putting this unwanted fear to rest once and for all.

1. Face your fear head on : Realize that there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Thousands of people face the same fear, you are not alone in trypophobia. Gradually build up your exposure and spend some time in the presence of everything that fuels your phobia.
2. Don't Panic: Do not get panic when you come in contact with your phobia, everyone has a bad day. Do not overreact and try to be honest with yourself, chances are you'll see some real results. Eliminate all your doubts and keep telling yourself how far you've come with your trypophobia.
3. Keep a big perspective: Just try to understand how far you have come with the fear and what all opportunities you have lost due to your fear. You are afraid of holes but what is allowing your fear of holes to have stranglehold over you causing you miss out on.
4. Treat your fear as a call to action: Reframing your notion of your fear of holes. Rather than thinking about it and living with fear, consider it a wake-up call.
5. Rewire your brain: Hypnotherapy is a very effective means of permanently rewiring the brain against trypophobia .

Most of the researchers concluded after completing their studies, that patients who have a condition of trypophobia are possibly liable to experience depression and anxiety symptoms. Sometimes, the symptoms might also lead to functional impairments in daily living. It is advised to immediately take the help of the therapist or your medical professional as they will help you in coping trypophobia within very little time.