Some people are fearful of big and large things. Today, we’ll discuss what is megalophobia; its symptoms, causes, and treatment.
What is Megalophobia?
Megalophobia is a type of specific phobia an anxiety disorder where people are fearful of large objects like big statues, airplanes, and skyscrapers. People with megalophobic conditions experience an extreme level of anxiety and fear when they come across any form of large objects like vehicles, animals, statues, and buildings. Often, they avoid places and situations that comprise large objects.
Researchers don’t know the total number of people with megalophobic conditions. Often people with megalophobia don’t seek out treatment for their condition. According to an estimate, roundabout 7-10% of people have this phobia.
Triggering Large Objects
Some of the main triggering objects that would cause a person with a megalophobic condition to experience a high level of anxiety and fear are as follows;
- Big animals like whales and elephants
- Vast and large spaces like the inside of the stadium
- Big vehicles like buses and trains
- Big barges, ships, and boats
- Vast natural features like volcanoes, oceans, lakes, and mountains
- Large monuments and statues
- Skyscrapers and buildings
People with megalophobic conditions are fearful of more than one type of large object. There are other types of specific phobia where fear of something that appears to be large, but its size is not the main element of fear. For instance, if you’re fearful of the ocean, then the person would have thalassophobia and not megalophobia.
Symptoms of Megalophobia
The main symptom of a megalophobic condition is the fearful feelings of large animals and objects. Some of the main symptoms a person would experience are as follows;
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Shaking
- Nausea
- Speedy heart rate
- Panic feelings
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Chest pain
- Desire to leave the situation
Causes of Megalophobia
Researchers don’t know the exact and precise causes of megalophobia. Some of the top factors that play a significant role in the development of the specific phobia are as follows;
Media
Some types of news stories on various media channels influence our mind to a great extent, and it plays a significant role in developing fear. For instance, giants and gigantic animals are the important characters in mythological series in the early days of sailing ships. Many ships and legends were lost at the hands of monsters.
Science fiction and comic books are very popular among teenagers. They show the photos the giant photos of legends and mythical creatures, and they would influence the minds of some people. However, many animated films like ‘anaconda’ or ‘jaws’ have made many people with phobia believe that giant animals still exist today.
Intimidating Size
The megalophobic condition also has got association with some things and objects that appear larger than their original size. It could be larger than life sculpture of an animal or a historical person that isn’t the actual size that it represents. For people with megalophobic conditions, such sculptures and gigantic size would create feelings of fear among them.
Exaggerated Normal Fear
It is completely normal to have some level of fear in you, and it helps us to survive the dangerous and threatening objects. It would cause an extreme level of fear among people with megalophobic conditions.
Treatment of Megalophobia
The treatment plan for megalophobia comprises a few types. Psychotherapy is a very popular form of treatment method, and medicines aren’t prescribed for the specific type of phobia. However, they do prescribe medicines for treating other symptoms relevant to the phobia.
Some of the main types of psychotherapeutic approaches to treat specific types of phobia like megalophobia are as follows;
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy follows the approach of desensitizing the fear element systematically. It comprises of gradually exposing the person to the feared objects like a flood, sea, and other large objects. The therapist won’t put the life of the client in jeopardy.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
CBT is a very popular form of therapeutic treatment method and it focuses on replacing phobic thoughts and worries with positive ones. It gradually employs various types of exposure therapies.
In simple words, your therapist would talk with you about all the objects and elements that you fear. Your therapist would rationally help you to unlearn the fear through a systematic process. It follows a more realistic approach towards all types of situations and circumstances that are causing fear.
Conclusion: What is Megalophobia? Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
After an in-depth study of what is megalophobia; its symptoms, causes, and treatment; we have realized that a megalophobic condition could badly impact a person’s life. If you’re experiencing its symptoms, then you should consult the nearest healthcare provider in your area in order to work on the treatment plan and deal with the situation.
Ahsan is an accomplished researcher and has a deep insight in worldly life affairs. He goes Live 3 days a week on various social media platforms. Other than research writing, he’s a very interesting person.
