Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsIdentifying PhasmophobiaCausesTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Identifying Phasmophobia
Causes
Treatment
Coping
Phasmophobia, or the fear of ghosts, can be complicated to diagnose. Many people experience a certain thrill of anxiety when telling ghost stories or watching movies that feature ghosts and other supernatural entities. Most can control this fear and some even enjoy the feeling that it creates. It’s fun to get a little spooked!
In many cases, people can also experience physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, chills, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and rapid breathing.
If you or a loved one are struggling with a phobia, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 1-800-662-4357 for 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 Helplineat 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
In order to make a diagnosis, your doctor may ask questions about the symptoms you are experiencing, including duration and severity. Your doctor may also take a medical history, perform a physical exam, and run lab tests to help rule out other medical or mental conditions.
Phasmophobia vs. Thanatophobia
Thanatophobia, thefear of death, is common and can be found across cultures and religions. This fear may itself be related to other fears, including those based on religious beliefs and fear of the unknown. Some people fear the act of dying, while others worry about what may occur beyond the moment of death.
Phasmophobia is often related to thanatophobia. If you fear death, you may also fear signs and symbols that are related to death, such as tombstones or funeral homes. The fear of ghosts could be seen in the same way.
Both genetic and environmental factors can contribute to the development of phobias such as phasmophobia. Research has found that people who have a close family member with a phobia or another type of anxiety disorder are more likely to develop a phobia, pointing to a genetic influence.
Stressful experiences and social influences can also play a part. A person who has had a frightening experience involving ghosts orhaunted houses, for example, might be more likely to develop this type of phobia.
Scary movies and other cultural or religious influences related to the supernatural can also play a part. Other factors that can contribute to phasmophobia include magical thinking, supernatural beliefs, and parapsychology.
Magical Thinking
Magical thinking involves the belief that your thoughts, wishes, or ideas can influence what happens in the physical world. A broad definition ofmagical thinkingcould include virtually any beliefs that focus on irrational correlations between events.
Some studies have shown links between magical thinking and psychosis, schizotypal personality disorder, and other serious mental health conditions.
Since the existence of the paranormal has not been scientifically proven, some experts feel that a belief in its existence may constitute magical thinking.
Under this theory, phasmophobia could be seen as an extreme form of such thinking, possibly indicative of a more serious condition than a simple phobia.
Supernatural Beliefs
The corollary to magical thinking is theexistence of religious beliefs. By definition, most religious teachings must be taken on faith.
From Jesus to Buddha to the mystical shaman, virtually every major religion hinges on belief in the existence of one or more spiritual leaders who are or were granted the power to do things that are impossible under the laws of physics.
In addition, many major religions accept the existence of the supernatural, whether in the form of spirits, demons, angels, or other entities. Many religions teach that most of these beings are evil, capable of tempting or harming humans. Likewise, angels and other beings are frequently seen as benevolent and helpful.
It would be simplistic and unfair to assume that someone has disordered thinking based solely on a belief in or fear of the supernatural.
Parapsychology
Parapsychology is a branch of science that attempts to document and study occurrences of paranormal activity. Its status as a legitimate science has long been debated within the scientific community.
Some of the results that have been obtained cannot be fully explained through current scientific principles. However, many argue that this is due to a failure to use the established scientific method.
Regardless of their personal beliefs about parapsychology, good mental health professionals accept their client’s beliefs in such research without judgment. A client who has a fear of ghosts based on parapsychological research will not normally be suspected of magical thinking.
Parapsychology is not to be confused withtranspersonal psychology,which centers on the spiritual aspects of human life.
What Causes Phobias to Develop
Since the existence of the supernatural cannot be proven, phasmophobia can be somewhat difficult to treat under conventional methods. Mental health professionals may try a variety of treatments.
Medication
Medications may sometimes be prescribed to help people cope with some of the symptoms associated with phasmophobia, including anxiety and depression. Anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants may help people manage some of these responses. In many cases, medications tend to be most effective when combined with other treatments.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can also be helpful in the treatment of phasmophobia. There are several different types that may be considered.
It’s important to understand what your goal is for therapy. Do you simply want to be able to enjoy ghost stories andhorror movieswithout panicking? Are you questioning your religious beliefs? Is there a bigger issue, such as fear of death, that should be addressed?
Your therapist needs to be careful to follow your lead. Talk to your therapist aboutyour needs and goalsto develop a plan that is right for you.
Research suggests that fear of the supernatural and ghosts leads people to experience feelings of shame. In addition to treatment, it is important to find ways to cope with both the anxiety of the phobia as well as such associated emotions that this fear can create.
This self-care may include making sure that you are getting plenty of sleep, eating a healthy diet, and engaging in regular exercise.
Relaxation techniquescan be a great way to manage feelings of anxiety as they arise. Some techniques you might try include deep breathing, relaxation, and progressive muscle relaxation.
Social support can also be important when you are coping with a stressful situation. Consider sharing your fears with a trusted friend who can lend an ear and offer comfort when you are feeling overwhelmed.
Effective treatments are available that can help you manage your fears. If symptoms of phasmophobia are causing significant distress or interfering with your ability to function normally, it is important to seek help from a doctor or therapist.
Coping With Teraphobia or the Fear of Monsters
6 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 ed. Washington, DC: 2013.Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-XGarcía-Montes JM, Pérez-Álvarez M, Odriozola-González P, Vallina-Fernández O, Perona-Garcelán S.The role of magical thinking in hallucinations. Comparisons of clinical and non-clinical groups.Nord J Psychiatry.2014;68(8):605-610. doi:10.3109/08039488.2014.902500Cardeña E.The experimental evidence for parapsychological phenomena: A review.Am Psychol.2018;73(5):663-677. doi:10.1037/amp0000236Lawrence M.Near-death and other transpersonal experiences occurring during catastrophic events.Am J Hosp Palliat Care.2017;34(5):486-492. doi:10.1177/1049909116631298Rodebaugh TL, Chambless DL.Cognitive therapy for performance anxiety.J Clin Psychol. 2004;60(8):809-820. doi:10.1002/jclp.20039
6 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 ed. Washington, DC: 2013.Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-XGarcía-Montes JM, Pérez-Álvarez M, Odriozola-González P, Vallina-Fernández O, Perona-Garcelán S.The role of magical thinking in hallucinations. Comparisons of clinical and non-clinical groups.Nord J Psychiatry.2014;68(8):605-610. doi:10.3109/08039488.2014.902500Cardeña E.The experimental evidence for parapsychological phenomena: A review.Am Psychol.2018;73(5):663-677. doi:10.1037/amp0000236Lawrence M.Near-death and other transpersonal experiences occurring during catastrophic events.Am J Hosp Palliat Care.2017;34(5):486-492. doi:10.1177/1049909116631298Rodebaugh TL, Chambless DL.Cognitive therapy for performance anxiety.J Clin Psychol. 2004;60(8):809-820. doi:10.1002/jclp.20039
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 ed. Washington, DC: 2013.Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-XGarcía-Montes JM, Pérez-Álvarez M, Odriozola-González P, Vallina-Fernández O, Perona-Garcelán S.The role of magical thinking in hallucinations. Comparisons of clinical and non-clinical groups.Nord J Psychiatry.2014;68(8):605-610. doi:10.3109/08039488.2014.902500Cardeña E.The experimental evidence for parapsychological phenomena: A review.Am Psychol.2018;73(5):663-677. doi:10.1037/amp0000236Lawrence M.Near-death and other transpersonal experiences occurring during catastrophic events.Am J Hosp Palliat Care.2017;34(5):486-492. doi:10.1177/1049909116631298Rodebaugh TL, Chambless DL.Cognitive therapy for performance anxiety.J Clin Psychol. 2004;60(8):809-820. doi:10.1002/jclp.20039
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. Washington, DC: 2013.
Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-X
García-Montes JM, Pérez-Álvarez M, Odriozola-González P, Vallina-Fernández O, Perona-Garcelán S.The role of magical thinking in hallucinations. Comparisons of clinical and non-clinical groups.Nord J Psychiatry.2014;68(8):605-610. doi:10.3109/08039488.2014.902500
Cardeña E.The experimental evidence for parapsychological phenomena: A review.Am Psychol.2018;73(5):663-677. doi:10.1037/amp0000236
Lawrence M.Near-death and other transpersonal experiences occurring during catastrophic events.Am J Hosp Palliat Care.2017;34(5):486-492. doi:10.1177/1049909116631298
Rodebaugh TL, Chambless DL.Cognitive therapy for performance anxiety.J Clin Psychol. 2004;60(8):809-820. doi:10.1002/jclp.20039
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