Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCauses of AblutophobiaComplications of AblutophobiaTreatments for Ablutophobia
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes of Ablutophobia
Complications of Ablutophobia
Treatments for Ablutophobia
Ablutophobia, or fear of bathing, is a relatively uncommon but potentially serious phobia that appears to be most prevalent in children.
Yes, it’s true that many children demonstrably dislike baths and may kick up a fuss at bathtime, but a phobia is different. If your healthcare provider is following the new American Psychiatric Association guidelines, they is unlikely to give an ablutophobia diagnosis unless the extreme overestimation of danger persists for more than six months, which is the standard for phobias like this.
If you’re a parent of a child who resists bath time, there are a number of strategies to help make cleaning up more fun. If this fear has persisted into adulthood, a therapist may be able to help provide strategies for overcoming this difficult phobia.
At a Glance
Ablutophobia, like all phobias, is ananxiety disorder. It’s clinically known as a specific phobia, which is a persistent, excessive or unreasonable fear of an object or situation.It can manifest in many ways, from a fear of showering to a complete phobia of all washing.
Unlike many other fear objects, bathing is something that is usually within your control—you aren’t going to suddenly be exposed to a bathtub out of nowhere the way you might a spider or a dog. While this alone may not lessen your fear, it can help to approach your fear from a place of control.
Like all specific phobias, a traumatic past event is the commonly the trigger for ablutophobia, although you may or may not consciously remember it.How did you get ablutophobia?
Cleanliness and hygiene are some of the top priorities of the modern world and failing to take a daily shower can cause you to look or smell “unclean,” which is generally considered unacceptable. Not washing regularly can have negative consequences, such as:
In addition, personal hygiene is a first step toward avoiding illness. Allowing dirt and bacteria to remain on your skin and hair for long periods could elevate your risk of both common and rare diseases. This is particularly true if your phobia causes you to avoid hand washing after using the restroom or when preparing food.
These steps are part of what is called exposure therapy, which involves being exposed to the object of your fear in a safe way. As you become comfortable with each step, you may come to be less afraid.
5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bajwa M, Chaudhry KA, Saeed R.Prevalence and factors associated with phobias among women.Journal of Psychiatry. 2014;15(2):140-145.Garcia R.Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias.Learn Mem. 2017;24(9):462-471. doi:10.1101/lm.044115.116Baek SB.Psychopathology of social isolation.J Exerc Rehabil. 2014;10(3):143-147. doi:10.12965/jer.140132Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Body, Facial, & Dental Hygiene. Updated July 26, 2016.Cleveland Clinic.Anxiety Disorders: Management and Treatment. Updated December 15, 2017.Additional ReadingDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Ed). Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
5 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bajwa M, Chaudhry KA, Saeed R.Prevalence and factors associated with phobias among women.Journal of Psychiatry. 2014;15(2):140-145.Garcia R.Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias.Learn Mem. 2017;24(9):462-471. doi:10.1101/lm.044115.116Baek SB.Psychopathology of social isolation.J Exerc Rehabil. 2014;10(3):143-147. doi:10.12965/jer.140132Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Body, Facial, & Dental Hygiene. Updated July 26, 2016.Cleveland Clinic.Anxiety Disorders: Management and Treatment. Updated December 15, 2017.Additional ReadingDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Ed). Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Bajwa M, Chaudhry KA, Saeed R.Prevalence and factors associated with phobias among women.Journal of Psychiatry. 2014;15(2):140-145.Garcia R.Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias.Learn Mem. 2017;24(9):462-471. doi:10.1101/lm.044115.116Baek SB.Psychopathology of social isolation.J Exerc Rehabil. 2014;10(3):143-147. doi:10.12965/jer.140132Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Body, Facial, & Dental Hygiene. Updated July 26, 2016.Cleveland Clinic.Anxiety Disorders: Management and Treatment. Updated December 15, 2017.
Bajwa M, Chaudhry KA, Saeed R.Prevalence and factors associated with phobias among women.Journal of Psychiatry. 2014;15(2):140-145.
Garcia R.Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias.Learn Mem. 2017;24(9):462-471. doi:10.1101/lm.044115.116
Baek SB.Psychopathology of social isolation.J Exerc Rehabil. 2014;10(3):143-147. doi:10.12965/jer.140132
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Body, Facial, & Dental Hygiene. Updated July 26, 2016.
Cleveland Clinic.Anxiety Disorders: Management and Treatment. Updated December 15, 2017.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Ed). Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
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