Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionSymptomsCausesComplicationsTreatmentCopingA Word From Verywell
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Symptoms
Causes
Complications
Treatment
Coping
A Word From Verywell
What Is Neophobia?
Neophobiais thefear of new things. This fear may apply to a variety of new experiences such as trying new foods, friendships, jobs, or destinations.
This phobia is a maladaptive coping mechanism and when confronted with new experiences, the fear response exceeds the scope of any realistic threat. It can take a serious toll on a person, limiting a person’s activities, relationships, and experiences.
This article discusses the symptoms of neophobia and what causes this type of fear. It also explores some of the ways that it might affect a person’s life and how it is treated.
Diagnosing Neophobia
Within the normal spectrum of personality traits, some people are extroverted lovers of adventure and are bigger risk-takers. Others are more introverted, enjoy quiet time, and prefer their comfortable routine.
Neophobia is more extreme than introversion because it challenges the human need for novelty with an intense fear of the unfamiliar and causes distress to the person who experiences it.
According to theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR)" neophobia falls under the diagnostic category of “specific phobias.” It is a type of anxiety disorder and can lead to physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms whenever something new is encountered.
Causes of Neophobia
Neophobia may be the result of several different factors:
Genetics: Genetics can play a large role in anxiety disorders, and having a close relative with anxiety increases a person’s risk of developing a phobia.
Learned Behavior: In the case of neophobia, having distressing or traumatic experiences when trying new things might contribute to the onset of this fear, and you just don’t want to risk it.
Fear of Risk:Neophobia may be related to the twins known asfear of successandfear of failure. To truly succeed or fail, it is necessary to take a risk. Both outcomes are potentially life-changing, forcing people to adapt to new circumstances. People with neophobia may feel that the potential benefits of success do not outweigh the burden of the potential upheaval to their lives.
Habit:More generally, people tend to be creatures of habit. They often spend decades in the same house, working for the same employer, driving the same car, and even eating the same thing every Friday night.
The more a person is exposed to something, the more they tend to prefer it, a phenomenon known as the “mere exposure effect.”
It’s the same reason why people enjoy eating certain comfort foods. Familiarity can serve as a source of comfort when people are tired and stressed out.
Over time, constantly choosing the familiar might play a part in hesitancy when it comes to the unfamiliar. You might feel rusty with your communication skills and ‘out of touch’ with what’s out there. You may feel ‘lost’ with all the new technology and worry you will never catch on.
Some people make the conscious decision not to shine at work or school, some refuse to try new vacation destinations, and others avoid opportunities to make new friends. Eventually, this can lead to a less satisfying life, depression, and isolation.
Keep in mind, some degree of fear of the unknown is normal and even adaptive. Trying new things has its wins and losses, and can be frustrating at times. It can also bring great rewards, satisfaction, and joy. If the fear has become so intense that it is causing you distress and is placing undesirable limits on your life, it represents a more serious problem that may require treatment.
Neophobia in Children
Small children often demonstrate signs of neophobia. The entire world is new to them, and they are active explorers. However, some resistance to change at times may just be an innate need to feel like something is constant in their ever-widening worlds.
Neophobia in Older Adults
Many older adults develop mild neophobia. As people age, they sometimes seek out the familiar in order to feel like they are in control. In such cases, people prefer to remain in comfortable, familiar surroundings.
Having a daily routine and being somewhat reluctant to change doesn’t mean that a person has neophobia. It only becomes a phobia when it results in excessive fear, creates significant distress, and limits the ability to function normally in daily life.
Food Neophobia
Food neophobia is especially common in small children. So-called “picky eaters,” who are unwilling to eat more than a handful of familiar items, may actually havefoodneophobia. This can be a learned behavior related to their strong feelings of disgust when they have tried certain flavors or textures.
Cenophobia
Cenophobia, orthe fear of new ideas, is a subset of neophobia. The fear halts progress and can make it difficult for people to accept new ideas and change. While it is smart not to accept every idea at face value, new ways of thinking about a situation are critical to success, innovation, and effective problem-solving.
How to Be Open-Minded and Why It Matters
Treatment for Neophobia
Specific phobias such as neophobia respond well to treatment.Treatment approaches such as psychotherapy, medications, and supportive care can make a significant difference in a person’s symptoms and help improve their life and functioning.
Like other specific phobias, neophobia is highly treatable. Trying new things or exposing yourself to unfamiliar experiences may help prevent the development of more severe fear.
Cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) is the first-line approach to treating specific phobias such as neophobia. CBT focuses on helping people change the negative thought patterns that can lead to fear and avoidance behaviors. Instead of dreading new things or experiences, people might work to relabel these thoughts as anticipation or excitement.
One component of CBT known asexposure therapymay be particularly effective. In this approach, people are gradually and progressively exposed to what they fear and over time, their feelings of fear diminish.
For example, neophobic people might start with small exposures to new things or experiences, like ordering a new dish at their favorite restaurant. Eventually, they work their way up to more challenging sources of unfamiliarity, such as visiting a new destination.
What Treatments for Phobias Work Best?
Coping With Neophobia
If you have a fear of new things, there are steps you can take that may help. In addition to getting professional treatment, there are also self-care and self-help strategies that can help you manage your feelings of fear and anxiety.
How to Face Your Fears When You Want to Tackle Them Head-On
Even if you like your comfortable routine, challenging yourself to try new things now and then could help prevent the development of this type of fear. Over time, giving in to your fear and avoiding new things may cause you to miss out on personal growth, work opportunities, relationships, and experiences that could potentially bring richness and joy to your life.
Understanding the risk factors, which include genetics, learned behavior, personal experiences, and trauma, may help people recognize the signs, and take steps early on before fear and avoidance behaviors become worse.
If you have neophobia that is causing you distress and limiting your life activities, consider getting treatment to help you overcome your fear and open your life up to a world of opportunity.
If you or a loved one are struggling with a phobia, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you or a loved one are struggling with a phobia, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
8 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.
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Łoboś P, Januszewicz A.Food neophobia in children.Pediatr Endocrinol Diabetes Metab. 2019;25(3):150-154. doi:10.5114/pedm.2019.87711
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