Small things can sometimes scare us. More than once we have seen a cockroach passing through an alley in the cities or a rat walking along a railroad track. These examples are about visible insects or animals, but let’s think about organisms that we cannot see: germs, viruses and bacteria are found in unexpected places and can cause us some fear.
The pandemic is being a time in which we have had to take care of ourselves more than usual and it is understandable that various emotions have been awakened in people. However, there are individuals who have an enormous fear of tiny things that generate unfavorable consequences. Knowing valuable and accurate information regarding this topic can provide us with tools to face these types of situations. In this Psychology-Online article, we will provide you with information about the Microphobia: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment.
What is microphobia
When mentioning microphobia, we are referring to a irrational and excessive fear of small things, whether visible or not. In turn, this is linked to the idea of being able to become infected with some germ and/or bacteria from a tiny organism.
According to the DSM-V, this type of phobia, given its particularities, is within the group of specific phobias. For it to be considered microphobia, at least five of the following diagnostic criteria must be met:
- Fear or intense anxiety in the presence of tiny objects or things.
- Avoidance of small goals that cause the phobia.
- Fear or anxiety is disproportionate to the real danger that represent microorganisms.
- The duration is six months or longer.
- Deterioration in relationships work, family and social.
- The symptoms are not attributed to another mental disorder.
Symptoms of microphobia
In order to establish an accurate diagnosis of microphobia, it is important to take into consideration the manifestations that the person shows who suffers from this condition. In the following items, we will locate the main symptoms of microphobia:
It should be noted that the presence of any of these symptoms does not necessarily imply that we are dealing with microphobia. The diagnosis must be made by a professional of health, who will be in charge of evaluating the patient’s characteristics, taking into account aspects such as age, sex, family history or pre-existing diseases, among others.
Causes of microphobia
First of all, we must not lose sight of the fact that microphobia can have various origins. Knowing the main causes that trigger this clinical condition can be useful when selecting appropriate strategies to deal with this problem.
Therefore, below, we will explain the main causes of microphobia:
- Genetic factors: Genetic inheritance plays an important role when thinking about the emergence of microphobia. On the one hand, there are certain neural connections associated with the emotional processing of environmental situations. It is possible that microphobia has its origin from the development of certain predominant genes linked to the fear of small elements or animals.
- Environmental factors: Life experiences can also influence the development of microphobia symptoms. Given this, imitation and learning of behaviors from members of the environment can be a condition of this disorder. In other words, if someone close to you has a great fear of tiny items, there is a chance that the person will also carry out the same behavior.
Treatment of microphobia
Despite the difficulties that microphobia entails, there are currently treatments that have beneficial effects for the person who suffers from it. Next, we will explain how to treat microphobia:
Psychological therapy
Therapy is a space that can help overcome certain situations that cause problems for the person diagnosed with microphobia. Because of this, psychological therapy Provides valuable tools to confront fearful situations or anxiety otherwise.
On the one hand, therapy works on the emotions, thoughts and behaviors that govern the person’s life. On the other hand, psychological therapy attempts locate the origin of the symptoms of the person so that it is possible to find other alternatives to anxiety in the presence of tiny objects or animals.
Psychiatric medication
The provision of medications may be a valid option in the most serious cases. Certain types of medications can act on brain chemistry by modifying the neuronal connections that occur in the brain.
In this way, it is possible that a relief of the symptoms involved in microphobia However, it is essential that the medication be prescribed by a mental health professional qualified in the subject.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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References
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington: Panamericana Medical Publishing.
Bibliography
- Bados, A. (2009). Specific phobias. Faculty of Psychology. Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Tractaments.