Understanding Anthrophobia, the Fear of People

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFear of PeopleHow Anthropophobia DevelopsIf Your Loved One Has AnthrophobiaTreatment for Anthropophobia

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Fear of People

How Anthropophobia Develops

If Your Loved One Has Anthrophobia

Treatment for Anthropophobia

Anthropophobia, or thefear of people, is a commonly misunderstood phobia. It often resembles social phobia but is not precisely the same fear. Depending on the severity, anthropophobia may cause a phobic reaction even when in the company of only one other person.

In extreme cases, those with anthropophobia may withdraw altogether, communicating with others only through snail mail or electronic means such as e-mail or text messaging.

An estimated 12.5% of US adults will deal with a specific phobia at some point in their lives.

In anthropophobia, the fear is literally of other people, regardless of the situation in which they are encountered. Relatives who are known for being kind and loving are perceived as the same level of threat as strangers on a crowded bus.

While those with social phobia generally feel somewhat less afraid in situations that make them feel anonymous, those with anthropophobia may be equally uncomfortable whether they are on stage or in the back row of a crowded theater.

The differences are subtle and proper diagnosis is tricky. Therefore, it is important to seek professional assistance with any fear that involves other people.

Understanding the Fear of Crowds (Enochlophobia)

Like all phobias, previous experiences can increase the risk of developing anthropophobia. There may be culturally specific elements to this diagnosis, as in the Japanese culture-bound social fear known astaijin kyofusho.

Anthropophobia typically causes symptoms similar to those of any other phobia. When spending time with others, you may begin to sweat and shake. You might turn red and have trouble breathing normally. You might feel like your pulse is racing. You may be unable to speak, or even to formulate coherent thoughts.

You will likely experience a strongfight or flight response, in which you feel an overwhelming need to get away.Additionally, you might worry that others are judging you for everything from your style of dress to your choice of words. You may be unable to make eye contact even with trusted friends.

Anthropophobia often causesanticipatory anxietyas well. In the days leading up to an encounter with others, you may have trouble sleeping. You might feel physical distress, such as stomach problems or headaches when thinking about the upcoming event. You might be tempted to cancel or to simply not show up.

It can be difficult to fully empathize when a friend or loved one is struggling with a phobia that may seem confusing or irrational to you, especially if the object of fear is something as commonplace or seemingly mundane as people.

It’s important that you do not minimize the fear or anxiety someone else is feeling, or shame them for feeling it. Stigmatizing a mental health condition like a specific phobia can make it more difficult for someone to cope with, especially when they feel like they do not have the support of their loved ones.

Additionally, do not guilt or force them into situations that will trigger their fears in a way that feels unsafe. Even if you think you are helping, it is better for a trained professional to help guide this kind of exposure.

Like allphobias, anthropophobia responds well to a variety of different treatment methods. When caught in an earlier stage, treatment may involve only a handful of brief therapy sessions during which you learn to replace your fearful thoughts with more positive ones. Behavioral training such assystematic desensitization, in which you are gradually exposed to stronger triggers, is often used.

Anthropophobia interferes with one of the most basic human needs, the need for social contact, so the rewards of treatment are well worth the effort.

If your anthropophobia is extreme, therapy may take more time. You may need to spend several sessions learning to tolerate sharing space with the therapist before you can progress. Nonetheless, with persistence and hard work, it is possible to overcome even the most extreme fear of people. Be patient and kind to yourself, but keep pushing through.

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.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th edition. Washington DC; 2013.Harvard Medical School, 2007. National Comorbidity Survey (NCS). (2017, August 21). Retrieved fromhttps://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/ncs/index.phpZhang AY, Yu LC, Zhang J, Tang D, Draguns JG.Anthropophobia: its meaning and concomitant experiences.Int J Soc Psychiatry.2001;47(4):56-70. doi:10.1177/002076400104700405Boehme S, Ritter V, Tefikow S, et al.Brain activation during anticipatory anxiety in social anxiety disorder.Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2014;9(9):1413–1418. doi:10.1093/scan/nst129Dubord G. Part 12.Systematic desensitization.Can Fam Physician. 2011;57(11):1299.

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.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th edition. Washington DC; 2013.Harvard Medical School, 2007. National Comorbidity Survey (NCS). (2017, August 21). Retrieved fromhttps://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/ncs/index.phpZhang AY, Yu LC, Zhang J, Tang D, Draguns JG.Anthropophobia: its meaning and concomitant experiences.Int J Soc Psychiatry.2001;47(4):56-70. doi:10.1177/002076400104700405Boehme S, Ritter V, Tefikow S, et al.Brain activation during anticipatory anxiety in social anxiety disorder.Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2014;9(9):1413–1418. doi:10.1093/scan/nst129Dubord G. Part 12.Systematic desensitization.Can Fam Physician. 2011;57(11):1299.

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th edition. Washington DC; 2013.Harvard Medical School, 2007. National Comorbidity Survey (NCS). (2017, August 21). Retrieved fromhttps://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/ncs/index.phpZhang AY, Yu LC, Zhang J, Tang D, Draguns JG.Anthropophobia: its meaning and concomitant experiences.Int J Soc Psychiatry.2001;47(4):56-70. doi:10.1177/002076400104700405Boehme S, Ritter V, Tefikow S, et al.Brain activation during anticipatory anxiety in social anxiety disorder.Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2014;9(9):1413–1418. doi:10.1093/scan/nst129Dubord G. Part 12.Systematic desensitization.Can Fam Physician. 2011;57(11):1299.

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th edition. Washington DC; 2013.

Harvard Medical School, 2007. National Comorbidity Survey (NCS). (2017, August 21). Retrieved fromhttps://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/ncs/index.php

Zhang AY, Yu LC, Zhang J, Tang D, Draguns JG.Anthropophobia: its meaning and concomitant experiences.Int J Soc Psychiatry.2001;47(4):56-70. doi:10.1177/002076400104700405

Boehme S, Ritter V, Tefikow S, et al.Brain activation during anticipatory anxiety in social anxiety disorder.Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2014;9(9):1413–1418. doi:10.1093/scan/nst129

Dubord G. Part 12.Systematic desensitization.Can Fam Physician. 2011;57(11):1299.

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Fear of People vs. Social Phobia#

Fear of People vs. Social Phobia