If you cannot look at this photo, you might have trypophobia!

Recently, trypophobia (fear of holes) has begun to spread rapidly among the public. Trypophobia is the name given to the discomfort a person feels when viewing clusters of small holes on surfaces. In its simplest terms, trypophobia is defined as a "fear of holes, bubbles, and pores." Honeycombs, strawberries, pomegranates, sponges, and corals are elements that trigger trypophobia. Is it possible to treat trypophobia? Here is the answer...

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If you cannot look at this photo, you might have trypophobia!

These details, which cause discomfort to the individual, are actually clusters formed by harmless circles or holes that pose no danger. For example, one of the most significant stimuli that triggers a fear of holes is honeycomb, which can be found on our tables. The holes on a honeycomb can create feelings of disgust, discomfort, and agitation in a person.

People with a fear of holes may show different reactions to this situation. These reactions can range from nausea, skin itching, and stress to panic attacks. Furthermore, the visuals that bother trypophobic individuals can vary from person to person. While some may feel discomfort from pomegranates or strawberries, others may not be bothered by these objects at all.

WHAT IS TRYPOPHOBIA?

The etymology of the word trypophobia is rooted in Greek. It is derived from the words "trypa," meaning "hole," and "phóbos," meaning "fear."

Commonly known among the public as the fear of holes, trypophobia is described as a discomfort felt toward irregular patterns and holes.

Widely known as the fear of holes, trypophobia refers to a fear not only of objects with holes but also of spongy structures, bubbles, and foam.

There is a limited amount of information regarding the fear of holes. Trypophobia, which is not widely known by everyone, is found in 16% of people. Despite this, although it has been examined by many researchers, trypophobia is not yet included in the medical literature as a disease.

RESEARCH CONDUCTED

Because research on trypophobia is limited, it is not yet possible to fully answer why it emerges. Apart from this, mental health experts have some theories regarding the causes of trypophobia. The most common among these is the theory of "an evolutionary response of humans to disease and danger."

Researchers at the University of Amsterdam state that the condition is seen as an exaggerated and generalized version of a natural reaction to patterns we perceive as dangerous. In other words, what is meant here is that a person feels discomfort as a result of subconsciously associating a holed object with something negative. For example, it is emphasized that a holed surface creates fear or discomfort because it is matched in the mind with a venomous snake.

The exact cause of trypophobia, or the fear of holes, is not fully known. Some theories put forward as a result of research suggest that, in the subconscious, holed surfaces create negative associations, thereby causing discomfort and fear in the individual.

ELEMENTS THAT TRIGGER TRYPOPHOBIA

Trypophobia is mostly triggered by a series of objects or patterns. Irregularly formed holes on their surfaces make the individual quite uncomfortable. To give a few examples;

Bubbles on the skin,
Holes on strawberries,
The visual structure of a sponge,
Honeycombs,
Beehives, and similar porous and holed structures trigger the fear of holes.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TRYPOPHOBIA?

The fear of holes shows physical and psychological similarities to other phobias. Its symptoms are also quite close to one another. While the symptoms reach a level that affects daily life in some individuals, they are more compatible with the flow of normal life in others.

HOW IS TRYPOPHOBIA TREATED?

Behavioral therapy methods, whose effectiveness has been demonstrated by research, can be used in the treatment of the fear of holes. According to the method known as exposure therapy, the individual gradually faces the stimuli that trigger anxiety and sees that they can cope with this anxiety. This method can be used for many situations related to phobias and has been found to be beneficial in nine out of ten people.

News Source: 12punto