Madness is something that can torment us day after day. People who face difficult times are often filled with ideas that represent constant fears, something that, if we think about it in more detail, we will easily realize. After all, how many people have you had the feeling of losing control after an extremely unpleasant event? How has someone we know reacted to a major loss in life? How is it possible to cope with disappointments? In this sense, there is a clinical condition linked to the fear of experiencing states of lack of control and madness that can cause unfavorable consequences for the person.
In this Psychology-Online article we explain What is the fear of going crazy and how to overcome it.
What is the name of the fear of going crazy?
What is the fear of going crazy? The fear of going crazy consists of physical and mental sensation at the idea of losing control What a person feels in a given situation and that this generates a series of behaviors, thoughts and emotions about which they have no intention.
From a clinical point of view, it is important to consider that the fear of going crazy is called . This definition is implemented by the DSM-V as a result of the particularities that the condition has. According to this manual, There are some diagnostic criteria that allow their detection. Next, we will see what they are:
- Sudden increase in anxiety.
- Recurrent worry about suffering or feeling again panic attack-like symptoms.
- Deterioration of labor, social and friendly relations based on the presence of indicators.
- The alterations cannot be explained by the presence of other mental health disorders or the intake of toxic substances or medications.
- Duration of a month or more.
What is the fear of going crazy?
To address this issue more clearly, it is essential to understand the possible origins that give rise to this fear. Below we show you the main causes of the fear of going crazy:
Environmental factors
First of all, it is worth considering the traumatic experiences that have been had at different times in life. These types of situations can trigger a feeling of absolute loss of control due to the stress that may be looming. Here we can find family losses, love disappointments, abuse verbal and/or physical, among others.
Organic factors
On the other hand, biology It can also lead to the appearance of fear of going crazy, since there are various neurotransmitters that are associated with the processing of information coming from outside.
In some circumstances, the fear of going crazy is reflected in a increased cortisola hormone linked to the appearance of stress.
Symptoms of fear of going crazy
The fear of going crazy presents some physical, emotional and behavioral manifestations that affect the personality of those who suffer from this condition. Next, we show you the main symptoms from the fear of going crazy:
- Avoidance of social events.
- Fear of hurting other people.
- Sensation of unreality.
- Isolation.
- Excessive worries.
- Excessive sweating.
- Palpitations.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Food deregulation.
- Dizziness.
- Vomiting.
- Nausea.
In order to eliminate doubts, It is essential that the diagnosis be made by a mental health professional to evaluate the characteristics of each patient and take into account their particularities.
How to overcome the fear of going crazy
Despite the obstacles that come with the fear of going crazy, there are some alternatives that help improve the quality of life of those who suffer from this problem. Here are some tips to deal with the fear of going crazy:
Go to a psychologist
The main advice to reduce these types of thoughts is start psychological treatment. The therapeutic space offers the possibility of developing strategies related to the possibilities of each person to overcome problems such as the fear of going crazy.
With the help of a specialized health professional, a treatment plan will be established that you must follow in a specific time, depending on the degree of affectation of each person.
sports practice
On the other hand, physical activity It can be another great ally to counteract the symptoms of fear of going crazy. In general terms, sport causes emotional support and social encounters that cause a feeling of well-being.
Meditation
Meditation is a practice based on using the diaphragmatic breathing to relax the central nervous system. After a certain amount of time meditating, it is possible for the body to enter a state of tranquility. However, on some occasions the presence of an instructor may be necessary during the exercises.
In the following article we explain it in detail.
Write and/or talk to trusted people
The act of putting into words what bothers us usually provides considerable relief. However, it is necessary that this action be aimed at people with whom there is prior trust given that it is a mental health issue.
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
- Cano Vindel, A., Mae Wood, C,, Dongil, E., Latorre, JM (2011). Panic disorder in primary care. Papers of the Psychologist Magazine, 32 (3), 265-273.
- Escribano, S. (2017). Panic disorder and its psychological treatment. Review and update. Katharsis Magazine, 23 (2), 166-176.