Imagine that you are in Colombo and looking at a tall building like the Lotus Tower, or you are standing in a place where you can see Mount Bhairawa in Kandy. While some people feel a sense of joy and inspiration when they see such large things, others feel an unimaginable fear, a feeling of rapid heartbeat, and sweating. Have you ever had an experience like this? Then this story will be very important for you. Today we are talking about this unusual fear, that is, Megalophobia.
Simply put, what is Megalophobia?
Megalophobia is an anxiety disorder . To be precise, it is a specific phobia. A person with this condition experiences an intense, uncontrollable fear and anxiety when seeing, thinking about, or approaching large objects, places, or things. This fear goes far beyond a normal fear. Because of this, these people try to avoid places with such large things as much as possible.
What big things can cause fear?
A person with megalophobia may fear more than one thing. The main reason for this fear is the 'size' of that thing. Let's see what are the most common things that cause this fear.
| Types of things that cause fear | Examples |
|---|---|
| Very tall buildings | Skyscrapers, towers like the Lotus Tower. |
| Large statues and monuments | Large statues like the Aukana statue and the Bhairavakanda statue. |
| Big natural things | Big mountains, volcanoes, the great ocean, big lakes. |
| Large vehicles | Ships, trains, large buses, container transport trucks. |
| Large animals | Even if you see a large animal like an elephant or a whale in real life or on TV. |
| Large open or closed spaces | Inside a large stadium, a large airport. |
The important thing is that the common factor in all these fears is 'vastness'. For example, if someone has a specific fear of the sea, it may not be because of the size of the sea itself, but rather because of the depth of the water, the fear of drowning, etc. This condition is called `(thalassophobia)`. Therefore, it is very important to see a doctor to find out the exact cause of your fear.
Who is most affected by this situation?
Like other phobias, Megalophobia can affect anyone at any age . However, the tendency to develop this specific fear usually begins in childhood and becomes more pronounced in adulthood. This type of phobia is more common in women than in men.
What are the symptoms of megalophobia?
People with this fear avoid large objects as much as possible. However, if they are unable to avoid them and are confronted with something like this, they can experience a number of physical and mental symptoms.
| Symptom | How it feels |
|---|---|
| Excessive fear and anxiety | I feel a heavy burden on my heart, an uncontrollable fear. |
| Heart palpitations | My chest feels like it's beating fast. |
| Difficulty breathing | It feels like I'm suffocating, like it's hard to breathe. |
| Dizziness and fainting | My head is spinning, my eyes are turning blue, and I feel like I'm going to fall. |
| Nausea | I feel upset, like I'm about to vomit. |
| Thinking of running away | At that moment, I feel a strong urge to run away from there. |
What causes megalophobia?
Researchers are still unable to pinpoint one specific reason for this, but there are two main things they believe:
- A traumatic experience in the past: This can be caused by a frightening or traumatic event involving a large object, especially during childhood. For example, someone who was hit by a large vehicle, or was frightened by a large animal, may develop this type of fear later in life.
- Family history: If someone in the family has anxiety-related conditions, others are at risk of developing similar conditions as well.
How does a doctor decide that this is a disease?
There is no specific blood test or scan to diagnose megalophobia. Your doctor will do a thorough interview with you, asking you questions about your experiences, symptoms, and past history. It is usually diagnosed as a phobia if the fear persists for more than 6 months.
Doctors use the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose a phobia. Typically, these four criteria must be met to diagnose a phobia:
1. Unusual and irrational fear: Persistent, excessive fear that is completely out of proportion to the feared object or situation.
2. Anticipatory Anxiety: Feeling fearful and anxious about something in advance, thinking that you will have to face it.
3. Avoidance: Actively trying to avoid the feared thing or situation. Some people even make major changes in their lives to achieve this.
4. Interference with daily life: This fear interferes with your normal activities, work, and social relationships in some way.
What are the treatments for this?
There are good treatments for this. Two main treatment methods are used: psychotherapy and, if necessary, medication.
1. Psychotherapy
This is the most successful and main treatment for phobias.
- Exposure Therapy: This involves gradually exposing yourself to the things you fear in a controlled, safe environment. This is similar to letting someone who is afraid of water put their feet in the water and then gradually getting used to the water. Your therapist will first talk to you about big things. Then they will show you pictures of them. Then they will have you look at them from a distance. This is how you gradually overcome your fear and learn to live with those things normally.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This helps you identify the faulty and negative thought patterns that are causing your fear. This therapy helps you identify irrational thoughts, such as "This building is going to collapse on me," and challenge them to replace them with more realistic thoughts.
2. Drug treatment
Phobias are not usually treated with medication long-term. However, your doctor may sometimes prescribe medication temporarily to help manage the excessive anxiety and physical symptoms that occur during psychotherapy.
- Beta blockers: These control the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid heartbeat and tremors.
- Benzodiazepines: These help reduce anxiety and calm the mind. However, they are only used for a very short period of time and under the close supervision of a doctor because of the risk of addiction.
How can you take care of yourself?
If you have been diagnosed with megalophobia, there are several things you can do on your own, in addition to treatment.
- Sleep well and exercise: Adequate sleep and regular exercise go a long way in maintaining good mental health.
- Practice mindfulness techniques: Things like meditation can help you control your anxiety.
- Breathing exercises: When you feel scared, taking deep breaths and exhaling slowly can help calm your body and mind.
- Talk to those closest to you: Talking about this with your family and trusted friends will help you feel a lot better.
- Support groups: If you can join a support group with people who have had similar experiences to you, it will make you feel like you are not alone.
Remember, your mental health is just as important as your physical health, so don't be shy about talking to a doctor about something like this.
Take-Home Message
- Megalophobia is a real, treatable mental condition. It is neither a weakness nor a pretense.
- If you feel an unusual fear of big things, instead of living in avoidance, see a doctor for advice.
- Psychotherapy, especially exposure therapy, is a very effective treatment for this.
- You are not alone. Many people around the world suffer from phobias like this. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
- With proper treatment, you can control this fear and live a happy life without fear.
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