Enochlophobia is the fear of crowds. It’s often known as glossophobia although some have been content to call it ochlophobia.In the first case it is definitively the fear of public speaking while the later is the general fear of crowds… In some cases up to the degree of extreme anxiety and depression. Yeah.. Not when our minds say it’s time! Not being able to escape any given situation is largely what drives the fear. A person who has a dreadful fear of large crowds and gatherings of people is said to be an Enochlophobic. Like the lady pushing her shopping cart closer to me isn’t going to make the cashier go faster so why do people do this? My phobia is kinda weird, or so I’ve been told. An estimated 40 percent of all reported cases of this phobia is considered severe. Aphenphosmphobia – The fear of … You might even be at the point of completely avoiding crowds of people or places where you fear there may be crowds. Do you know why? My mother always told me “Sheep flock together – Eagles fly alone”. Talking to this person and focusing the mind on him can help the phobic keep the mind occupied and prevent negative thoughts. I don’t want to talk to people when I’m shopping. When I am ill, I like to be totally alone). I get a paralyzing feeling like do not get up. More broadly, an agoraphobe is afraid of what could happen to him or her if they were suddenly in danger within a crowd, or any other place without a means of escape or rescue. As the name indicates, this phobia consists of an irrational fear of large crowds and gatherings of people. I choose not to say that I have fear of elevators. Gradually desensitizing oneself: beginning with smaller events and increasing one’s comfort level so that one can slowly attend larger events comfortably. It’s still awful though, and I don’t know anyone personally who has the same thing happen. I have a baby, 18 months old, I don’t want to die…. Oikophobia- Fear of home surroundings, house. I’m 21 years old, 6 feet tall and well built but even thinking about being in a crowd reduces me to the level of a scared child. If the mass is crowded and I am late I will refuse to sit anywhere despite a broken back & torn knee cartilage. I, instead, say that I FEEL anxiety, in which, I do feel anxiety. Crowds are generally only dangerous if they turn into a crazed group of people, which tends to happen when they are moving toward something that they want (e.g., a shopping event, entering a venue, etc.) It could be auditory/ sensory processing issues and you'll know that if it does not go away. This can be a serious concern for those who experience the fear of crowds and public places. I have avoided spaces I know will be crowded ever since. You would also gradually face the situations that you fear, beginning with the easiest and gradually working your way up to the hardest, while also engaging in some form of relaxation training. Below are some of the common physical symptoms of enochlophobia: Below are some of the common cognitive symptoms of enochlophobia: Below are some of the common behavioral symptoms of enochlophobia: One way to get a better understanding of which symptoms you experience is to keep a logbook, diary, or journal in which you write down situations that cause you anxiety and what symptoms you notice. Enochlophobia is a not a recognized disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). It can also involve desensitization to work on your physical reactions to crowds. Rather, this phobia involves irrational thoughts and behaviors that are excessive in relation to the actual danger in a situation. If you can learn to avoid dangerous crowds and understand that most crowds are safe, your fear might be lessened. You might say why should I look in a certain way? And that we all enjoy that music. They also fear catching germs or viruses due to close contact with sick people around them. I like peaceful gathering (Mass prayer, silent protest, intellectual meetings, watching dramas, cinemas in Halls) but I feel shaky to go to marriage parties, parties in hotel, social gatherings etc. Whenever I’m in a crowd i cant breath properly, i feel like someone is holding my neck very tightly. The symptoms and signs of social phobia. There's no single known cause of enochlophobia; rather, it might be connected to crowd-related trauma, a tendency to worry, or even genetic factors. I believe there’s a way to cure most every phobia, to be honest. Breathing deeply and focusing on the breath. I admire the ways you cope with your fears. I tend to wait until it’s less expensive to travel in business or premium economy. Why are boundaries being broken? People with scopophobia are often not only terrified by the looks of strangers but also people they know well, including friends and family members. We are an impatient society. If your mother and father hate crowds, maybe you will too. I suffer really badly with anxiety. doi:10.1017/S0033291713003012, Ⓒ 2021 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved, Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of "Therapy in Focus: What to Expect from CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder" and "7 Weeks to Reduce Anxiety. Haha, I realize you mean it in a kind way, it just sounds to me like: Wow, you guys have a problem. In other words, if you have enochlophobia, you are unable to explain your fear and feel helpless to control it. Agoraphobia is believed to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. its when i come off stage and people want to chat with me in the crowd …..i just cant do this i have to get out of there. Otherwise I am ok. But on my daily commute home, stuck in the tunnel from one subway platform to another during rush hour, my fear responses are off the charts. until the anxiety becomes uncomfortable and LEAVES! I find that I am okay if it is a crowd in an open space, but if it’s a bunch of people in one room, even if I know and am familiar with them all, I will start to freak out. Octophobia - Fear of the figure 8. (Domatophobia, Eicophobia) Olfactophobia- Fear of smells. When I’m in a crowd at a concert I remind myself to choose love over fear. The symptoms of enochlophobia look very much like the symptoms of other anxiety disorders. They generally fall under three categories: your bodily reaction (physical), your thoughts (cognitive), and your avoidance or escape (behaviors). At least 7.2 million Americans experience clinically significant phobias in a given year and many of them have social phobia. I think my issue is mainly the loss of control, it’s so unpredictable. First, find the root of the anxiety and then once you have it…FOCUS ON IT! Enochlophobia (pronounced [en-ah-cla-foh-bee-uh]) is the abnormal or irrational fear of crowds. There are likely to be crowds in places such as these, adding to and perhaps triggering your fear of being trapped or … I also really really don’t want or like other people in my personal space. Sign up to find out more in our Healthy Mind newsletter. These disorders are more common in women and many people have more than one phobia. Oh thank goodness I’m not the only one! I have never felt the need to seek professional help for it because I simply stay away from things that are going to have crushing crowds. I’ve been in tunnels and mines, but as soon as someone or several people join me in those tighter areas, I panic. ← Back to: List of phobias Enochlophobia describes people who get nervous in/of crowds or fearful in/of crowds. I typically default to stand against a wall where I can at least see what’s coming at me. What can you do on your own to cope with enochlophobia? Thanks for sharing your thoughts.. 2014;44(11):2375–2384. Daniel B. Ochlophobia is the fear of crowds of people or mobs. Even my parents don’t know that i am a phobic person, i’m scared how they will react. I go to the usually VERY crowded County Fair as soon as it opens and leave before dark when it gets crowded. That we are connected and not separate. Each minute becomes a challenge for my mind & my body to keep from sweating and hyperventilating. When taking photos in crowded places I can’t smile. I’m not a huge fan of people in my personal space but who is. In order to be diagnosed as a specific phobia, your fear of crowds would need to have persisted for at least six months and not be due to another diagnosis such as social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, or post-traumatic stress disorder. and avoid it whenever possible. 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