Do you also feel uncomfortable when you see lots of holes? Let's talk about Trypophobia

Imagine that you are eating a deliciously ripe strawberry, or looking at a honeycomb that someone has brought you. At the same time, when you see the pattern of tiny holes in those things, you feel a strange aversion, a tingling sensation, and a great discomfort. Maybe you feel dizzy or even want to vomit. Have you ever had this happen to you? Then this story will be very important to you. Today we are talking about this strange condition that many people suffer from in silence, but are hesitant to talk about, that is, trypophobia.

What exactly is Trypophobia?

Simply put, trypophobia is a fear of holes, not a fear of holes, but a strong aversion, aversion, or discomfort that arises when we see patterns of holes or bumps that are close together. Many people think of this as a phobia of holes. But what is really happening here is a greater aversion than a fear. It's like feeling aversion when we see a cockroach.

A person with this condition may not even be able to look at things like a honeycomb, a sponge, or a lotus root. They feel great physical and mental discomfort when they see that pattern of holes.

What kind of things can cause this apathy?

The triggers for this discomfort can vary from person to person. It also depends on how close we are to the object. The closer we are to it, the more uncomfortable it can be. Here are some common triggers for this condition.

How common is this condition?

It's a more common condition than you might think. Some studies suggest that up to 17% of children and adults, or about 1 in 6 people, may have some degree of trypophobia. It's actually a relatively new concept. The name was first used in 2005.

Many people became aware of this when people reacted negatively to the fact that some new smartphones had multiple cameras clustered together. Also, there was a character in the TV show “American Horror Story: Cult” who had this condition. Some of the scenes shown in it made many people uncomfortable, and this caused a social debate.

Why is this happening to us? What is the reason?

Experts still don't know exactly why some people have this aversion to piercing patterns, but there are a few main theories that may contribute to this.

1. Association with danger: One major theory is that our brains interpret these patterns as signs of danger . Think of a pattern on the skin of a venomous snake, or a spider with many eyes. These patterns are stored in our subconscious as a sign of danger. So, when we see a pattern like this, our brains trigger that old memory and encourage us to avoid danger. For some people, seeing these patterns can even remind us of a skin condition or eczema.

2. More energy consumption by the brain: Another theory is that our brain has to consume more energy and oxygen than normal to understand and analyze such complex patterns of holes. As a result, the fatigue felt by the brain is felt by us as mental discomfort and pressure .

3. Link to other mental health conditions: Sometimes this can be a symptom of a mental health condition called Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) . Trypophobia is also common among people with anxiety and depression. It is slightly more common in women than in men.

What are the symptoms of Trypophobia?

Seeing something that causes you discomfort can cause you to experience a number of physical and mental symptoms.

How do you recognize this as a disease?

Although it is an inconvenience for many people, the American Psychiatric Association has not officially included trypophobia as a disorder in its main diagnostic manual, the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). This may be because it is often a nuisance and not life-threatening.

There are tests online to check for this condition, but they are still experimental. If you have these symptoms, it's best to talk to your doctor about it rather than just taking an online test.

Is there a treatment for this?

Yes, absolutely. If this discomfort is preventing you from doing your daily activities and enjoying life, there are treatments that can help you.

Exposure Therapy

This is one of the most effective treatments for phobias and similar conditions. It involves exposing yourself to the thing you fear, gradually, in a controlled manner, in a safe environment.

• First, your doctor or therapist will teach you breathing exercises and ways to calm your mind.
• Then, you are shown a picture or video with a pattern of holes. At that time, you are helped to use the previously taught techniques to control your mind.
• Gradually, as your confidence builds, you will be directed to touch or hold something similar (for example, a sponge).

Through this method, you retrain your brain that those things are not actually dangerous.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

This therapy helps you change the way you look at things, your thought patterns. It trains you to recognize the negative thoughts that come to your mind when you see a pattern of holes, and replace them with more realistic thoughts.

Medicines

Medication is not usually used to treat specific phobias. However, if you are experiencing a situation that is causing you distress, your doctor may prescribe anti-anxiety medicine for short-term use.

What could happen if this is ignored?

While this is only a minor inconvenience for most people, it can be very serious for some. If this happens, it can affect your work, schoolwork, and even social relationships. It can also cause the following:

• Depression
• Frequent anger and increased stress
• Insomnia or sleep problems
• Panic Attacks

What are the times you need to see a doctor?

If you experience any of the following, be sure to seek medical advice.

• If you are feeling depressed or have severe anxiety
• If you always get angry over small things
• If you have sleep problems
• If sudden panic attacks occur