Paraphobia Symptoms and Treatment

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsDiagnosisHow Common Is Paraphobia?CausesImpactTreatmentCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Diagnosis

How Common Is Paraphobia?

Causes

Impact

Treatment

Coping

It is important to note that paraphobia is not recognized as a distinct disorder in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the tool that doctors and mental health professionals use to diagnose mental health conditions. Instead, it may be diagnosed as a specific phobia, which involves an excessive and distressing fear of something such as an object or situation.

What to Know About the DSM-5-TR

Symptoms of Paraphobia

In some cases, people may even experiencepanic attacksas a result of their fear. Symptoms of panic attacks include racing heartbeat and rapid breathing. People may have difficulty breathing or feel that they are having a heart attack.

Although paraphobia is not an officially recognized diagnosis, your doctor may diagnose you with aspecific phobiaif your symptoms meet the criteria for that condition. The following must be present:

Your doctor will want to rule out other disorders that might be causing your symptoms, such as substance use disorders, schizophrenia, paranoid personality disorder, andobsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD).Your doctor may rule out other types of specific phobias such aserotophobia(the fear of sex).

Phobias arediagnosedonly if the fear causes difficulty in everyday life. For example, if two people who agree on their personal boundaries and comfort zones marry or form a relationship, they can be perfectly happy throughout their lives. Difficulties may arise, however, if one partner’s definition of perversion is different than the other’s, or the person has difficulty forming a relationship as a result of the fear.

The exactcausesof paraphobia are not known, but various factors likely play a role. As with other specific phobias, factors that can contribute to paraphobia include:

Some common underlying fears—for example, of humiliation, rejection, orintimacy—can help cause this phobia to develop

Impact of Paraphobia

Like other types of specific phobias, paraphobia can have a serious impact on a person’s life. It can lead to problems with school, work, home life, and relationships.People who are afraid of sexual perversion (either in themselves or in others), may find it difficult to form and maintain relationships with other people.

In some cases, people may become so afraid of experiencing symptoms of their condition that they avoid certain settings or situations entirely. This can make going to school or work very difficult.

Specific phobias can also contribute to feelings ofhelplessness, isolation, loneliness, and shame. Fortunately, these symptoms can be managed effectively with appropriate treatment.

5 Common Effects of Phobias on Your Emotions and Personality

Treatments

Psychotherapy and medication are usually effective. If your fear causes problems in daily life, address it with a compassionate and nonjudgmentaltherapist.

Psychotherapy

The most effective treatment for specific phobias isexposure therapy. This process involves gradually and progressively being exposed to the source of the fear. Eventually, people become accustomed to the feared object or situation and learn that their symptoms are manageable.

Exposure is often combined withcognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps identify and change anxious, negative thoughts that contribute to phobic responses.

If you feel that your cultural or religious background is playing a role in your fear, consider meeting with a trusted religious adviser as an adjunct to mainstream therapy.

Medication

Medications such asselective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)andbenzodiazepinesare sometimes prescribed to help manage anxiety symptoms, particularly during the early stages of treatment. These medications are most effective when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.

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.

Living With Paraphobia

You can help manage the symptoms of paraphobia with these strategies:

It is never acceptable for your partner to force you to participate in activities that make you feel uncomfortable or to make you feel bad about your decision not to. Likewise, it is unacceptable to judge your partner for an interest in expanding the range of your sexual activities together, provided that they’re legal and safe.

If you are in a relationship, open communication and mutual respect are essential. Many couples find that seeing a therapist together is helpful in learning to accept and balance individual needs and desires.

Working through paraphobia is a delicate and sensitive process that takes time. With hard work and an understanding therapist, however, there is no reason for your fear to control your life. Effective treatments for specific phobias such as paraphobia are available, so talk to your doctor or mental health professional if symptoms of your condition are interfering in your daily life.

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9 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.Cleveland Clinic.Panic disorder.Samra CK, Abdijadid S.Specific phobia. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Garcia R.Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias.Learn Mem. 2017;24(9):462-471. doi:10.1101/lm.044115.116Loken EK, Hettema JM, Aggen SH, Kendler KS.The structure of genetic and environmental risk factors for fears and phobias.Psychol Med. 2014;44(11):2375-2384. doi:10.1017/S0033291713003012Johns Hopkins Medicine.Phobias.Ma X, Yue ZQ, Gong ZQ, et al.The effect of diaphragmatic breathing on attention, negative affect and stress in healthy adults.Front Psychol. 2017;8:874. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00874Aylett E, Small N, Bower P.Exercise in the treatment of clinical anxiety in general practice - a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Health Serv Res. 2018;18(1):559. doi:10.1186/s12913-018-3313-5Chen KW, Berger CC, Manheimer E, et al.Meditative therapies for reducing anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Depress Anxiety. 2012;29(7):545-562. doi:10.1002/da.21964Hofmann SG, Sawyer AT, Witt AA, Oh D.The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on anxiety and depression: A meta-analytic review.J Consult Clin Psychol. 2010;78(2):169-183. doi:10.1037/a0018555

9 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.Cleveland Clinic.Panic disorder.Samra CK, Abdijadid S.Specific phobia. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Garcia R.Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias.Learn Mem. 2017;24(9):462-471. doi:10.1101/lm.044115.116Loken EK, Hettema JM, Aggen SH, Kendler KS.The structure of genetic and environmental risk factors for fears and phobias.Psychol Med. 2014;44(11):2375-2384. doi:10.1017/S0033291713003012Johns Hopkins Medicine.Phobias.Ma X, Yue ZQ, Gong ZQ, et al.The effect of diaphragmatic breathing on attention, negative affect and stress in healthy adults.Front Psychol. 2017;8:874. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00874Aylett E, Small N, Bower P.Exercise in the treatment of clinical anxiety in general practice - a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Health Serv Res. 2018;18(1):559. doi:10.1186/s12913-018-3313-5Chen KW, Berger CC, Manheimer E, et al.Meditative therapies for reducing anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Depress Anxiety. 2012;29(7):545-562. doi:10.1002/da.21964Hofmann SG, Sawyer AT, Witt AA, Oh D.The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on anxiety and depression: A meta-analytic review.J Consult Clin Psychol. 2010;78(2):169-183. doi:10.1037/a0018555

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.

Cleveland Clinic.Panic disorder.Samra CK, Abdijadid S.Specific phobia. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Garcia R.Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias.Learn Mem. 2017;24(9):462-471. doi:10.1101/lm.044115.116Loken EK, Hettema JM, Aggen SH, Kendler KS.The structure of genetic and environmental risk factors for fears and phobias.Psychol Med. 2014;44(11):2375-2384. doi:10.1017/S0033291713003012Johns Hopkins Medicine.Phobias.Ma X, Yue ZQ, Gong ZQ, et al.The effect of diaphragmatic breathing on attention, negative affect and stress in healthy adults.Front Psychol. 2017;8:874. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00874Aylett E, Small N, Bower P.Exercise in the treatment of clinical anxiety in general practice - a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Health Serv Res. 2018;18(1):559. doi:10.1186/s12913-018-3313-5Chen KW, Berger CC, Manheimer E, et al.Meditative therapies for reducing anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Depress Anxiety. 2012;29(7):545-562. doi:10.1002/da.21964Hofmann SG, Sawyer AT, Witt AA, Oh D.The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on anxiety and depression: A meta-analytic review.J Consult Clin Psychol. 2010;78(2):169-183. doi:10.1037/a0018555

Cleveland Clinic.Panic disorder.

Samra CK, Abdijadid S.Specific phobia. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.

Garcia R.Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias.Learn Mem. 2017;24(9):462-471. doi:10.1101/lm.044115.116

Loken EK, Hettema JM, Aggen SH, Kendler KS.The structure of genetic and environmental risk factors for fears and phobias.Psychol Med. 2014;44(11):2375-2384. doi:10.1017/S0033291713003012

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Phobias.

Ma X, Yue ZQ, Gong ZQ, et al.The effect of diaphragmatic breathing on attention, negative affect and stress in healthy adults.Front Psychol. 2017;8:874. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00874

Aylett E, Small N, Bower P.Exercise in the treatment of clinical anxiety in general practice - a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Health Serv Res. 2018;18(1):559. doi:10.1186/s12913-018-3313-5

Chen KW, Berger CC, Manheimer E, et al.Meditative therapies for reducing anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Depress Anxiety. 2012;29(7):545-562. doi:10.1002/da.21964

Hofmann SG, Sawyer AT, Witt AA, Oh D.The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on anxiety and depression: A meta-analytic review.J Consult Clin Psychol. 2010;78(2):169-183. doi:10.1037/a0018555

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