Understanding Megalophobia or the Fear of Large Objects

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverviewSymptomsContributing FactorsTreament

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Overview

Symptoms

Contributing Factors

Treament

Megalophobia is the fear of big things. Large objects capable of inciting fear in thisspecific phobiacan run the gamut from large ships or airplanes to big animals or towering sculptures.Fully understanding megalophobia is the first step to getting the help needed to overcome it. Here we explain its potential causes and the symptoms that one may experience. We also discuss the treatment options that exist for this mental health condition.If you or a loved one are struggling with megalophobia, 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.Overview of MegalophobiaMegalophobia is a specific phobia. The National Institute of Mental Health explains that a specific phobia involves “an intense, irrational fear of something that poses little or no actual danger.“While one of manydifferent types of phobias, people with megalophobia may know that their fear of big things is irrational, yet still experience anxiety or fear when just thinking about these objects. Items that can trigger feelings of fear and anxiety for a person with megalophobia include:AirplanesBlimpsBuildingsBusesConstruction equipmentElephantsEnormous trees, like sequoias or redwoodsHills and mountainsLarge bodies of waterShipsSculpturesStatuesTrainsWhalesSome people with megalophobia fear a wide variety of large objects, while others only fear specific items.Symptoms of MegalophobiaPrimary symptoms of megalophobia include an intense feeling of fear and increased anxiety. In addition, people may also experience:Dizziness or lightheadednessIncreased heart rateNauseaShortness of breathStrong urge to flee the situationOne of the criteria for a specific phobia is actively avoiding the phobic trigger or enduring it withextreme anxiety.So, someone with megalophobia may have limited social interactions if these interactions are set to occur in places where large objects exist.Factors Contributing to MegalophobiaThe exact causes of megalophobia are not known. However, several different factors can contribute to its development.Exaggerated Normal FearsIt’s normal to have some level of fear or apprehension of things that are so big that they seem overwhelming or threatening. For people with megalophobia, this fear becomes more severe than what other people normally experience.Atypically Large SizeA fear of big things is usually associated with objects that are a larger version of the actual thing they are representing. It might be a larger-than-life sculpture of a person from history, for example, or an animal that does not fit the typical size we associate with the species.For people with megalophobia, these abnormal sizes create a genuine feeling of fear where others may only be in awe at the size.Media or LegendsSometimes news stories or even legends can contribute to these fears. A perfect example is thefear of animalsthat are large in size, like the giant squid.The giant squid has been a part of mythology and lore since the earliest days of sailing ships, with legends abounding of sailors lost to the monsters of the deep.In reality, it is likely that before modern navigational systems, many of those ships were simply run aground or dashed against the rocks. Still, the rumors persisted.It is easy to imagine how hearing such stories could contribute to a full-blown phobia. Even today, phobias of giant “killer” animals persist and are exploited in such films asJawsandAnaconda.Treatment for MegalophobiaAlthough medication can sometimes help reduce symptoms experienced with megalophobia, psychotherapy is the preferred method of treatment.Cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy are two therapeutic approaches often used.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Duringcognitive behavioral therapy, a person is encouraged to replace phobic thoughts with healthier ones. This helps shift their perspective to one that involves less fear.CBT is also helpful for developing the skills needed to better cope with the stress and anxiety that large objects create. When exposed to these items in the future, these skills can be used to reduce the fear experienced.Healthy Coping Skills for Uncomfortable EmotionsExposure TherapiesAnother type of psychotherapy used to treat megalophobia isexposure therapy. This type of therapy involves being exposed to situations or objects that create fear, reducing the fear over time as the person learns to cope with the stress experienced.This can be approached throughsystematic desensitization, a more gradual set of exposure techniques, or flooding, in which the client is quickly exposed to the feared object.At no time is the client placed in any danger.SummaryIt’s important for people with a phobia of large objects or animals to seek treatment. With proper treatment, most phobias can be cured or managed. Conversely, untreated phobias tend to worsen over time.A mental health professional can help develop apersonalized treatment plan.

Megalophobia is the fear of big things. Large objects capable of inciting fear in thisspecific phobiacan run the gamut from large ships or airplanes to big animals or towering sculptures.

Fully understanding megalophobia is the first step to getting the help needed to overcome it. Here we explain its potential causes and the symptoms that one may experience. We also discuss the treatment options that exist for this mental health condition.

If you or a loved one are struggling with megalophobia, 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 megalophobia, 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.

Overview of Megalophobia

Megalophobia is a specific phobia. The National Institute of Mental Health explains that a specific phobia involves “an intense, irrational fear of something that poses little or no actual danger.”

While one of manydifferent types of phobias, people with megalophobia may know that their fear of big things is irrational, yet still experience anxiety or fear when just thinking about these objects. Items that can trigger feelings of fear and anxiety for a person with megalophobia include:

Some people with megalophobia fear a wide variety of large objects, while others only fear specific items.

Symptoms of Megalophobia

Primary symptoms of megalophobia include an intense feeling of fear and increased anxiety. In addition, people may also experience:

One of the criteria for a specific phobia is actively avoiding the phobic trigger or enduring it withextreme anxiety.So, someone with megalophobia may have limited social interactions if these interactions are set to occur in places where large objects exist.

Factors Contributing to Megalophobia

The exact causes of megalophobia are not known. However, several different factors can contribute to its development.

Exaggerated Normal Fears

It’s normal to have some level of fear or apprehension of things that are so big that they seem overwhelming or threatening. For people with megalophobia, this fear becomes more severe than what other people normally experience.

Atypically Large Size

A fear of big things is usually associated with objects that are a larger version of the actual thing they are representing. It might be a larger-than-life sculpture of a person from history, for example, or an animal that does not fit the typical size we associate with the species.

For people with megalophobia, these abnormal sizes create a genuine feeling of fear where others may only be in awe at the size.

Media or Legends

Sometimes news stories or even legends can contribute to these fears. A perfect example is thefear of animalsthat are large in size, like the giant squid.

The giant squid has been a part of mythology and lore since the earliest days of sailing ships, with legends abounding of sailors lost to the monsters of the deep.In reality, it is likely that before modern navigational systems, many of those ships were simply run aground or dashed against the rocks. Still, the rumors persisted.

It is easy to imagine how hearing such stories could contribute to a full-blown phobia. Even today, phobias of giant “killer” animals persist and are exploited in such films asJawsandAnaconda.

Treatment for Megalophobia

Although medication can sometimes help reduce symptoms experienced with megalophobia, psychotherapy is the preferred method of treatment.Cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy are two therapeutic approaches often used.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Duringcognitive behavioral therapy, a person is encouraged to replace phobic thoughts with healthier ones. This helps shift their perspective to one that involves less fear.

CBT is also helpful for developing the skills needed to better cope with the stress and anxiety that large objects create. When exposed to these items in the future, these skills can be used to reduce the fear experienced.

Healthy Coping Skills for Uncomfortable Emotions

Exposure Therapies

Another type of psychotherapy used to treat megalophobia isexposure therapy. This type of therapy involves being exposed to situations or objects that create fear, reducing the fear over time as the person learns to cope with the stress experienced.

This can be approached throughsystematic desensitization, a more gradual set of exposure techniques, or flooding, in which the client is quickly exposed to the feared object.At no time is the client placed in any danger.

Summary

It’s important for people with a phobia of large objects or animals to seek treatment. With proper treatment, most phobias can be cured or managed. Conversely, untreated phobias tend to worsen over time.A mental health professional can help develop apersonalized treatment plan.

7 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.National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.Cleveland Clinic.Megalophobia.National Library of Medicine.DSM-IV to DSM-5 specific phobia comparison.May J.Megalophobia: Fear of large things.Callaloo: Johns Hopkins Univ Press. 2015;38(1):75-75. doi:10.1353/cal.2015.0005Salvador RB, Tomotani BM.The Kraken: when myth encounters science.Hist Cienc Saude-Manguinhos. 2014;21(3):971-94. doi:10.1590/S0104-59702014000300010Exposure therapies for specific phobias. Society of Clinical Psychology.Cleveland Clinic.Phobias.

7 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.National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.Cleveland Clinic.Megalophobia.National Library of Medicine.DSM-IV to DSM-5 specific phobia comparison.May J.Megalophobia: Fear of large things.Callaloo: Johns Hopkins Univ Press. 2015;38(1):75-75. doi:10.1353/cal.2015.0005Salvador RB, Tomotani BM.The Kraken: when myth encounters science.Hist Cienc Saude-Manguinhos. 2014;21(3):971-94. doi:10.1590/S0104-59702014000300010Exposure therapies for specific phobias. Society of Clinical Psychology.Cleveland Clinic.Phobias.

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.

National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.Cleveland Clinic.Megalophobia.National Library of Medicine.DSM-IV to DSM-5 specific phobia comparison.May J.Megalophobia: Fear of large things.Callaloo: Johns Hopkins Univ Press. 2015;38(1):75-75. doi:10.1353/cal.2015.0005Salvador RB, Tomotani BM.The Kraken: when myth encounters science.Hist Cienc Saude-Manguinhos. 2014;21(3):971-94. doi:10.1590/S0104-59702014000300010Exposure therapies for specific phobias. Society of Clinical Psychology.Cleveland Clinic.Phobias.

National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.

Cleveland Clinic.Megalophobia.

National Library of Medicine.DSM-IV to DSM-5 specific phobia comparison.

May J.Megalophobia: Fear of large things.Callaloo: Johns Hopkins Univ Press. 2015;38(1):75-75. doi:10.1353/cal.2015.0005

Salvador RB, Tomotani BM.The Kraken: when myth encounters science.Hist Cienc Saude-Manguinhos. 2014;21(3):971-94. doi:10.1590/S0104-59702014000300010

Exposure therapies for specific phobias. Society of Clinical Psychology.

Cleveland Clinic.Phobias.

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