Fear of silence is a condition in which a person often cannot control his thoughts and actions. He panics every time he has to be alone with himself. Sometimes fear appears for no apparent reason, as soon as you find yourself in an unfamiliar place. Of course, such manifestations do not add optimism, but only interfere with fully enjoying life.
Fear of silence in psychology is called iremophobia. Statistically, many people suffer from this disorder. It’s just that not everyone turns to a psychotherapist for help, not everyone is ready to discuss a problem of this kind even with close relatives, considering it shameful and unworthy of a strong person. Meanwhile, there is nothing to be shy about. It is necessary to determine the true problem that is hidden behind this phobia as soon as possible. Otherwise, it is unlikely that it will be possible to defeat the destructive condition.
Are we afraid of silence?
A person is constantly exposed to emotions, even when alone. Its negative form can even be obtained from the influence of one’s own thoughts, which manifest themselves when a person is left alone with himself. In the presence of a phobia, the patient experiences discomfort from a strong attack of emotions, which by their nature perform adaptive functions. The human psyche cannot independently cope with the manifestation of emotions, which leads to stress. The phobia itself, like chronic stress, is acutely manifested when the patient is in unfavorable conditions - a stressful background.
Many people suffer from silensophobia, and more than 90% of them are unaware of their psychological problems. A phobia prevents a person from working, communicating with loved ones and making any plans. After all, even trips to nature on weekends or vacations will not bring pleasure. A person will try to engage himself by talking, listening to music, etc. The human psyche is constantly in a tense state, and without the help of a psychotherapist, such problems can cause serious health problems. The use of sedatives relieves signs of phobia only temporarily.
Fear of animals
Not all children are crazy about cats and dogs. This is usually associated with some kind of traumatic experience from deep childhood. Although it is possible that the child is simply frightened by teeth and claws. As a rule, such a phobia applies to a specific type of animal, for example, rodents. Such a fear can be overcome if you often read fairy tales to your child where these animals are involved, and watch documentaries about them (suitable for children). Just don’t try to do “shock therapy” and just bring the animal into the house.
Causes of silensophobia
Psychologists often associate the fear of silence with other fears. The fact is that a person is constantly in contact with others, talking on the phone, listening to music, watching movies, etc. It is from these little things that life and the social role of people are built. These are like established rules, the violation of which a person feels discomfort.
That is, silensophobia itself is a psychological sign of more serious problems.
Psychologists are confident that such problems arise:
- when you refuse to realize your loneliness;
- due to fear of being left alone with your thoughts;
- due to emotional turmoil experienced.
Common phenomena of modern life allow a person to escape from some of his own problems, forget about the past (or not think about the future). Therefore, psychologists often draw parallels between the feeling of silence and the perception of one’s own problems. When it becomes quiet around a person, he is left alone with his own thoughts and often the individual’s psyche is not ready for this. With such “communication,” a person feels discomfort and tries in any possible way to get rid of it (turns on the radio, TV, talks on the phone, etc.).
A person may also feel anxious during periods of silensophobia due to loneliness. Akin to the fear of perceiving oneself, one’s experiences and problems, a person tries to dilute his life with sounds. Such people often have many acquaintances with whom they try to constantly keep in touch. And in their free moments, they prefer to watch TV or spend time listening to music on headphones.
The emotional shocks experienced, which can cause the manifestation of a phobia, vary from person to person. Often, problems begin in early childhood, when caring parents try to ensure complete silence at night while their child is sleeping. A phobia arises from sharp sounds (unexpected phone calls, creaking doors, rattling dishes, etc.). Such little things can have a detrimental effect on the child’s psyche. In addition, signs of a phobia may appear in adulthood.
Fear of novelty
Among preschool children, fear of everything new is very common. We don’t really understand the love of kids for the familiar and repetitive, but the fact remains: they are not at all bored with routine, and they are afraid of even small changes. Therefore, mom or dad's new hairstyle may well bring children's tears. Unfortunately, we do not often think about the child’s worldview and begin to scold him because he refuses to put on new clothes or go to another playground. This behavior on the part of adults is wrong. Instead of strict words, the child, on the contrary, needs the support of family members who will explain to him in each specific case that change is not scary at all.
Signs of a phobia
The manifestation of silensophobia can be characterized by both physiological, behavioral and mental signs. The consequences of silence, the absence of extraneous sounds, even before going to bed, can be:
- sudden panic;
- headache and dizziness;
- insomnia;
- chest tightness and increased heart rate;
- attacks of nausea;
- muscle tension.
Often, when the patient is left in an empty, silent space, other problems appear. A person may think about problems at work, about relationships with others, and even about his own death. He transforms his anxiety into a negative psycho-emotional background, the consequence of which can be prolonged depression.
Symptoms and manifestations
Fear of the dark
Of course, fear of the dark is a “classic of the genre” and cannot be ignored. Since this phobia is extremely common, we are used to chalking it up to “age” and not paying much attention. But why does this fear arise? It's simple: the darkness scares kids with its uncertainty, because there is nothing in it. But a child’s vivid imagination does not stand still and comes up with eerie images. This is exactly how a “monster’s” paw emerges from an ordinary slipper, which is about to drag the baby under the bed. If a child's phobia is really strong, it is better to leave him a dim nightlight at night and patiently explain that there is no one in the room and he is safe.
Is it possible to determine the presence of a phobia on your own?
The main sign by which silensophobia can be determined is the duration of its manifestation. Unlike the usual sudden psychological discomfort that appears in certain life situations, people with a phobia may be subject to its symptoms for several months or even years. But, most often, experiencing anxiety, suffering from insomnia, and even depression, the patient does not understand the reason for his negative psychological background.
Silensophobia can only be recognized by the following signs:
- the presence of a phobia is confirmed when a person systematically refuses to remain in silence;
- if nervousness often turns into a panic attack;
- the impact of unpleasant symptoms affects everyday life.
The main thing is to contact specialists when identifying psychological problems. Most phobias can be treated with or without medication.
Fear of doctors
For the vast majority of children, a visit to the doctor is accompanied by fear. But for some, this feeling develops into a real phobia. Such children do not even allow people in white coats to touch them and throw tantrums as soon as they enter the doctor’s office, if not earlier. Indeed, in childhood, everyone is afraid of pain and panics at the sight of needles. It is difficult to explain to kids what a “necessary health procedure” is, and a trip to the hospital seems to them like a wasted torment.
Psychological assistance to the patient
A psychologist and psychotherapist are specialists who can help a patient without the use of drugs. You can get rid of a phobia using specially developed methods, including conversations with the patient (to determine the cause of the phobia of silence), subsequent analysis of information and interpretation of the content of the problem itself.
Professional methods can speed up the patient’s recovery process and completely rid his psyche of obsessive problems. Methods of neurolinguistic programming and even hypnosis can be used. The choice of method and its effectiveness depend on the severity of the disease and the qualifications of the specialist.
Art therapy methods also received special credit in the fight against phobias. The fact is that art is the most convenient way of personal expression, transmission of problems and phobias. Art therapy has earned particular popularity in working with children. The process of mental correction using this method is based on the following areas of working with phobias:
- image;
- verbalization;
- expressive dramatization.
The use of drawing, modeling, creating photo collages, etc., allows you not only to find out the main reasons for the fear of silence, but also to partially realize it in your creations.
The result of the psychotherapist’s work is to formulate adequate ways of human behavior and the preconditions for anxiety.
Work with the patient can be based on both group and individual sessions. Group classes are less effective. They are used more often to familiarize a specialist with the psychological health of the patient. The patient also gets used to the new requirements and rules that the doctor sets for him. Individual lessons are more effective. As a result of working with the patient, the doctor determines negative trends in the patient’s personal development and behavior. Based on the results of the meetings, therapeutic work is built.
Drug treatment for silensophobia
Not only psychologists and psychotherapists, but even psychiatrists will help you get rid of phobias. The patient may need the help of the latter during acute manifestations of the disease. The most common is drug therapy.
The following types of medications have become widespread in treatment:
- Tricyclic antidepressants. Most often used to combat depression. The action of the components of the drug, neurotransmitters, is based on the restoration of the psyche. The most common drugs: Moclobemide, Sertraline, Fluoxetine, etc.
- Benzodiazepines. Also used for panic attacks. The most popular drugs are: Imiprapine, Phenazipam, Alprozolam, etc.
- Beta blockers. They are used to eliminate signs of phobias, most often problems with the cardiovascular system.
- Psycholeptics. Reduce anxiety. The most popular medicine is Busporin. The selection and specifics of the use of drugs are carried out by the attending physician.
Herbal sedatives
It is prohibited to take medications on your own due to health hazards in case of incorrectly calculated dosage and side effects.
Basic rules for getting rid of a phobia on your own
Self-medication for the fear of silence also has its power. The main thing is to know the main directions of therapy. Psychotherapists often advise patients:
- Realize your problems. The main thing is not to be afraid of silence and perceive it as a normal psychological background. This will help you get started in the fight against your phobia.
- Meet silence more often. You can overcome your problems only by meeting them more often. Psychotherapists call this method “reaction burnout.” The fact is that, constantly encountering a phobia, a person gradually gets used to it, since defensive reactions also intensify.
- Get rid of tension. With any manifestation of anxiety, it is important to learn to control yourself and relax in a timely manner. You can use deep breathing techniques, meditation and even muscle relaxation. And yoga can help prevent obsessive thoughts.
- Learn to control your own thoughts. The phobia of silence is constantly fueled by negative emotions that arise during thought processes. By learning to control yourself and the “direction” of your thoughts, you can avoid the signs of silensophobia.
Psychologists advise realizing your phobia by creating certain objects and images. The easiest way is drawing. In moments of anxiety and other signs of silensophobia, creating a drawing will help a person express his emotions and give free rein to his feelings. In addition, this is a good way to understand the nature of your illness. There are methods that transform the problem expressed by visual art into something humorous and caricatured. Such work also has advantages - the phobia ceases to have a strong influence on the person, he learns to control it.
A person’s internal resources are sometimes stronger than his physical capabilities. Thus, in patients with silensophobia, silence even causes problems with sleep. By putting on headphones or turning on the TV, the patient creates for himself a comfortable psychological background of involvement in the world. Having lost it, a person suffers. Therefore, initial work on a phobia is based on working with a psychological problem without barriers or interference. Only by facing your fear “face to face” can you defeat it.
