Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFear or Phobia?The 3 Types of PhobiasTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Fear or Phobia?
The 3 Types of Phobias
Treatment
What is the fear of haunted houses called?There is no officialphobianame for the fear of haunted houses, but many people use terms that sound like actual phobias. For example, you may hear the unofficial term “hauntophobia.” Although many develop this fear as children, most people outgrow it. What happens if you don’t?
What is the fear of haunted houses called?
There is no officialphobianame for the fear of haunted houses, but many people use terms that sound like actual phobias. For example, you may hear the unofficial term “hauntophobia.” Although many develop this fear as children, most people outgrow it. What happens if you don’t?
Is a Fear of Haunted Houses Considered a Phobia?
Being afraid of a haunted house is part of the fun for many people; they feel the fear but they understand it. However, aspecific phobiaof haunted houses or any other object is an anxiety disorder that can disrupt one’s life and get worse over time if not treated.
Fears and phobias can both cause dizziness, heart palpitations, nausea, and shortness of breath. Phobias, however, cause more severe issues, and unlike normal fears, feature a preoccupation with the objects or situations.
Consider the following when deciding whether you have a fear or a phobia about haunted houses.
How to Tell the Difference Between a Fear and a Phobia
In deciding if a fear of haunted houses is part of a true phobia, knowing about the most common ones can be helpful. There are three primary types of phobias:
Is It a Specific Phobia or Agoraphobia?A phobia of haunted houses might point to a specific phobia (a fear of a certain object or situation) or agoraphobia (fear of being unable to escape to a safe place when you begin to have a phobic reaction.
Is It a Specific Phobia or Agoraphobia?
A phobia of haunted houses might point to a specific phobia (a fear of a certain object or situation) or agoraphobia (fear of being unable to escape to a safe place when you begin to have a phobic reaction.
In general, the treatment of a specific haunted house phobia is easier than some other phobias. It is easier to stay out of potentially haunted houses (at least usually) than it is to avoid a thunderstorm.
For someone without a phobia of haunted houses, the potential treatment of this phobia may seem easy—but a phobia is an irrational fear that defies logic. It doesn’t simply work to say, “Don’t worry.” A good therapist can help someone understand their fear and help them overcome it rather than minimize it.
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for people with haunted house phobias, but approaches used for other phobias can help. Some treatments for specific phobias include:
A Word From Verywell
Some of the specific phobias, such as that of haunted houses, can sound ridiculous or funny to some people, but they’re no laughing matter for those who have them. Specific phobias can be a source of embarrassment and leave a person feeling isolated and out of control. One of the most difficult emotional aspects of phobiasis that they are life-limiting in this way. If you or someone you know is dealing with a fear or phobia that gets in the way of daily life for you, speak with a therapist who specializes in treating anxiety.
The Psychology of Fear
1 SourceVerywell 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.Ryan SM, Strege MV, Oar EL, Ollendick TH.One session treatment for specific phobias in children: Comorbid anxiety disorders and treatment outcome.J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 2017;54:128-134 doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2016.07.011Additional ReadingOllendick TH, Öst LG, Ryan SM, Capriola NN, Reuterskiöld L.Harm beliefs and coping expectancies in youth with specific phobias.Behav Res Ther. 2017;91:51-57. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2017.01.007
1 Source
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.Ryan SM, Strege MV, Oar EL, Ollendick TH.One session treatment for specific phobias in children: Comorbid anxiety disorders and treatment outcome.J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 2017;54:128-134 doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2016.07.011Additional ReadingOllendick TH, Öst LG, Ryan SM, Capriola NN, Reuterskiöld L.Harm beliefs and coping expectancies in youth with specific phobias.Behav Res Ther. 2017;91:51-57. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2017.01.007
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.
Ryan SM, Strege MV, Oar EL, Ollendick TH.One session treatment for specific phobias in children: Comorbid anxiety disorders and treatment outcome.J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 2017;54:128-134 doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2016.07.011
Ollendick TH, Öst LG, Ryan SM, Capriola NN, Reuterskiöld L.Harm beliefs and coping expectancies in youth with specific phobias.Behav Res Ther. 2017;91:51-57. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2017.01.007
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