Fear of small objects, or microphobia

A phobia is a well-known term that describes a person's strong, unreasonable and constant fear of a particular problem, thing, action, etc. The main sign of such a pathological fear is an irresistible and incomprehensible desire for a person to avoid contact with a phobic object or situation in any way. There are many varieties of such fears - more than half a thousand. One of them is the fear of small objects, or microphobia, which can "haunt" a person from birth or appear with age, exist separately or intertwine with other types of  phobic disorders . [1]

Epidemiology

Obsessive fearful states can be conditionally divided into a number of categories, depending on the factors of their appearance, on the signs, on the object and plot of fear. Fear of small objects, or microphobia, often occurs after adverse situations or events that have happened in life associated with these objects. In addition to the size of objects, fear can also relate to their shape or color.

According to statistical information, almost every second person at least once in their life faces a serious psychological trauma, accompanied by fear, despair, and a sense of helplessness. Approximately in every fourth case, the consequences of this mental trauma are fixed, and the condition becomes chronic.

Specific phobia is one of the most common mental disorders in the general population, with lifetime prevalence estimates ranging from 7.7% to 12.5%. Prospective studies have shown a high incidence of specific phobia. The cumulative incidence was 26.9% between the ages of 20 and 50 years. [2]

Experts say that this figure can be several times higher, since not all people suffering from pathological fear admit that they have a disorder and seek medical help.

Among the many phobias, the leading place in the modern world is occupied by fears related to health and life. Fear of small objects, or microphobia, refers to a wide range of more specific and rare phobic disorders.

Causes of the microphobia

The question of the formation of a person's fear of small objects, or microphobia, in the scientific world is still open. The most likely causes of the development of the violation are the following:

• negative experience gained in childhood (possible pathologies and injuries caused by small parts and parts of toys);
• phobias cultivated by parents and close people (overly violent reaction of adults to a child's play with small objects);
• suspicious nature, excessive impressionability, a tendency to suggestion (inadequate reaction to a video seen on TV, to a story heard, etc.);
• genetic predisposition (such a theory is allowed, but it does not yet have reliable confirmation).

In general, for the formation of an inexplicable fear in the form of microphobia, the impact of individual risk factors is necessary: biological, psychological, genetic or social. [3]

Risk factors

One of the likely biological factors in the development of microphobia is a deficiency in the human body  [4], which causes an increase in feelings of fear and anxiety and contributes to the formation of fears. In turn, such a deficit occurs as a result of brain injuries, prolonged drug therapy, prolonged stress or depression.

The genetic factor in the appearance of microphobia is an innate tendency to pathology. If one of the close relatives (parents) suffers from a fear of small objects, then with a high degree of probability a similar disorder will appear in the child.

The social factor includes certain connections and events that happened to a person in early childhood - that is, the so-called childhood psychotraumas, to some extent associated with the presence of small objects in the script. Such negative situations eventually develop into the most unpredictable phobias.

The psychological factor is usually not easy to recognize, and often impossible. The reasons for the formation of fear of small objects, or microphobia, may be deep in the subconscious of the patient. They are associated with an incorrect explanation of a phrase or action, an incorrect interpretation of an event, etc.

The social factor includes overly strict or overly critical parenting, pickiness, negative experiences with adults or peers. Traumatic situations adversely affect the still weak psyche of the child, which can be aggravated by the peculiarities of the social and financial situation.

Pathogenesis

Fear of small objects, or microphobia, often occurs in people who are sociophobes, who fixate on the fact that they can be humiliated or ridiculed, not live up to expectations, and be subjected to close attention from other people. [5] Often, microphobes show increased sweating, a feeling of heat and a rush of blood to the face, tremors of the limbs, and digestive disorders. Such people may be afraid of public speaking, as well as other ways to attract everyone's attention. With the further spread of pathology, anxiety appears in a variety of social situations.

Patients with microphobia in most cases admit that their fear of small objects is unreasonable and excessive. The disorder most often starts in early childhood. The basic criterion that determines the formation of pathology is the fear that arises as a result of any particular situation.

Microphobia is a specific type of fear and is a cumulative condition that includes constant expectation and search for a phobic factor, its avoidance, as well as the fear of developing a panic attack.

Microphobia can be imposed: for example, if a child constantly sees and hears how his loved ones panicky avoid small objects, then he automatically has the same fear. Additionally, reproaches and negativity, as well as praise from parents, contribute to the formation of a phobia. For example, a kid is praised for not playing with small details of the designer, and sharply reproached for taking any such thing. Thus, the likelihood of the formation of fear increases significantly.

Over the years, a small microphobic disorder can transform into a threatening one, which leads to the appearance of a panic fear of small objects, even despite growing up and understanding its logical groundlessness.

Symptoms of the microphobia

Fears most often disturb children, and here we are not talking about pathology, but about the child's misunderstanding of many things and actions. So, most kids are afraid of the dark, negative fairy-tale characters, snakes, etc. In adults, the nature of fear is somewhat different: the vast majority of sane people can be afraid of illness, death, unemployment, etc. Such fears are quite logical and also do not carry pathology. But the fear of small objects, or microphobia, is already a pathological condition that gradually destroys and destroys a person as a person, takes away his confidence and deprives him of vital energy.

People with microphobia lose the ability to decide anything, to act rationally. If the violation is not detected in time, it can negatively affect personal and social development.

Gadgets, pushpins, pins, details from the designer - all this plunges a person with microphobia into a deep stupor, or causes him to panic. At the same time, the patient cannot explain the origin of such a condition, but simply tries in every possible way to avoid contact and even contemplation of phobic things. Such fear is present with a person almost always and everywhere, and the symptoms can expand over time, become more diverse. Over the years, one microphobia can develop into a whole phobic complex. As a result, the patient loses the possibility of an adequate existence in society. [6]

First signs

The initial manifestations of microphobia do not always attract attention, since in most cases they occur selectively, depending on the emotional and psychological state of the person at the moment. Most often, the microphobe tries to do everything possible to avoid contact and even more so interaction with any small objects. If it happens that it was not possible to avoid contact, the following more specific signs appear:

• increased heart rate;
• confusion and difficulty breathing;
• tremor of the limbs, general trembling;
• increased sweating, dry throat;
• dizziness;
• discomfort in the abdomen, intestinal cramps, digestive upset;
• an irresistible desire to run away, hide;
• fear of losing control of the situation.

Sometimes the fear of small objects becomes so rooted that a person begins to see phobic objects in a dream, which leads to nighttime insomnia against the background of daytime sleepiness, as well as irritability, apathy, neuroses, and depressive states. A person becomes isolated in himself, obsessed with his problems, becomes asocial.

Diagnostics of the microphobia

The diagnosis of fear of small objects, or microphobia, in a child or adult patient is carried out by a practicing psychotherapist or psychiatrist. His task is to collect complaints from the patient and / or his relatives, to draw up an anamnesis and a medical report on the full picture of the pathology.

In order to correctly determine the diagnosis, the doctor uses an integrated approach that includes examination, questioning, testing, questioning, etc.

The diagnosis of microphobia is established with a noticeable persistent (more than six months) strong fear or anxiety regarding small objects. Fear should include a negative assessment from the environment, as well as other signs:

• any small objects that fall into the field of view always cause fear or anxiety;
• the patient actively tries to avoid contact with phobic objects;
• fear or anxiety does not correlate with a real threat;
• fear, anxiety and / or avoidance of phobic objects cause severe discomfort and negatively affect the socialization and professional activity of a person.

In addition to microphobia, other mental disorders can also be detected at the same time.

Treatment of the microphobia

Fear of small objects, or microphobia, refers to specific phobic disorders. They are treated by psychiatrists, psychotherapists, psychologists.

Most often, specialists resort to such methods of treating microphobias:

• psychotherapeutic methods;
• medicines.

Psychotherapy is appropriate when the patient needs cognitive-behavioral support. During treatment sessions, the doctor contacts the patient with phobic objects - small objects, while simultaneously correcting the sensitive and mental activity of the person. Such procedures alter and redirect the patient's response.

A confrontational technique or desensitization can also be used, which involves a gradual "acquaintance" of the patient with the objects of microphobia with further correction of one's attitude towards them.

Medicines are not always prescribed, but only with proven serious pathology. Difficult cases require the use of antidepressants, anxiolytics (anti-anxiety drugs), as well as β-blockers, which minimize the negative effects of stress on the body. [7]

Some patients respond positively to the practice of various relaxation methods, although it is quite difficult to find a qualified and competent specialist in this area.

Prevention

To prevent the fear of small objects, or microphobia, there are quite a few techniques that help to establish control over one's condition and bring the nervous system to emotional balance. All these techniques are available, and you can learn about them at the appointment with a psychotherapist. The experts themselves give their potential patients the following recommendations:

• it is important to learn to avoid an acute reaction to stressful situations;
• systematically practice relaxation techniques (meditations);
• avoid the use of psychoactive and stimulant substances, strong coffee and so-called energy drinks, as they exacerbate anxiety;
• engage in physical education and sports, maintain physical activity;
• not be afraid of fears and learn to resist them;
• rest more, restore not only physical strength, but also the nervous system.

It must be understood that fear, such as microphobia, is a complex pathology that can seriously affect many aspects of a person’s life, break social chains, which will lead to isolation and loss of interests. Timely appeal for psychotherapeutic help is important not only for prevention, but also for the elimination of already existing microphobia. Therefore, you should not delay a visit to a specialist, even if there is the slightest suspicion of such a disorder.

Forecast

The prognosis for microphobia depends on many factors. This is the severity of clinical symptoms, and the presence of background pathologies. Recovery is more likely to occur if there are no mental disorders, and the disorder is due to personality and emotional changes.

Microphobia can be exacerbated if there is no comprehensive treatment of the patient. Complications are usually associated with the physiological and psycho-emotional state of the patient. In a panic state, the load on the heart and nervous system increases, which can lead to the development of a heart attack, a heart attack. Increased work of the adrenal glands, excessive production of stress hormones negatively affect the state of the musculoskeletal system and the immune system.

With severe stress, the digestive system suffers, sweat and salivation increase. A prolonged phobic problem worsens the patient's quality of life and prevents normal social adaptation. Common adverse effects of microphobia can be isolation, depression, social isolation. More serious complications are manifested by neurotic personality development.

Fear of small objects, or microphobia, can appear in a variety of pathologies - from mild neurotic disorders to schizophrenia. The prognosis in each of the cases is assessed individually, as it is directly dependent on the form of the disease. Microphobia can either disappear, or gradually compensate, or, in complex cases, progress, which is often noted in patients with various types of schizophrenia.