By: Kehinde Owoeye, Lagos
Enochlophobia refers to a fear of crowds. It is closely related to agoraphobia (a fear of places or situations) and ochlophobia (a fear of mob-like crowds).
Thus, enochlophobia has more to do with the perceived dangers posed by large gatherings of people you might encounter in your daily life.
It also includes the fear of getting stuck, lost, or harmed in a crowd.
On this, Soconsciouse is conscious of making mistakes so that people will not make jest of them.
However, the Phobia of Crowds is a fall dysfunctional dysfunction. This fear falls under the umbrella of; Phobias, which are defined as irrational fears that may cause severe anxiety.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it estimates that 12.5 per cent of Americans will experience phobias at some point during their lifetime.
However, If you have a fear for crowds, you might find certain situations challenging, especially if you live or work in a highly populated area.
Although, there is no official medical diagnosis for enochlophobia. Some methods of therapy can help you overcome your fears.
Meanwhile, treatments can assist with the related symptoms.
How does Enochlophobia affect Life?
Phobias like enochlophobia can lead to intense fear over events unlikely to take place.
Even though you might realize that such an intense fear for crowds is not rational. It does not lessen the real anxiety that can occur as a result of your phobia.
If you have enochlophobia, you might experience intense anxiety whenever you encounter a crowd of people. Your fear might not be limited to typically crowded events, such as: festivals, sports games and theme parks.
You might also experience a fear of crowds you could encounter daily which include:
In a buother forms or other forms of public transportation.
At the movie theatres, Grocery Stores or Shopping Malls, Outdoor Parks, Beaches, and Public Swimming Pools.
It is not only limited to direct contact with crowds that can trigger enochlophobia. Thinking about being in a crowd might result in stress and anxiety in some cases.
Phobias like enochlophobia might also affect other areas of your life, such as: Work, School, and also your Social Life.
What Are The Symptoms?
The symptoms of enochlophobia are similar to those of anxiety and these include: Jittery, Sweating, Increased Heart rate, Dizziness, Shortness of breath, Stomach ache, Diarrhea, and Crying.
Over time, your fear of crowds may lead to you feeling like you can not participate in certain activities.
As a result, it can cause further psychological symptoms which include: Depression, Low self-esteem, and reduced self-confidence.
What are The Causes?
While the exact cause of enochlophobia is not known, it is thought that phobias may be linked to anxiety disorders.
(a) It may be Learned Or Hereditary:
If one of your parents has a history of fearing crowds, then you might have picked up on their phobias as a child and eventually developed some of the same fears yourself.
Though a certain phobia may run in your family, you could also develop a different type of phobia from your parents and relatives. Whereas someone might have agoraphobia or social phobia, you might have enochlophobia.
(b) It may be as a result Of Negative Past Experiences:
If you once got injured in a crowd or lost or been snubbed by a large group of people, you might subconsciously think the same incident will happen again.
Your mind will then tell you that you must avoid crowds to keep from encountering any danger.
(c) It may be a Lack of Attention in the past:
This can lead to fear of a crowd in the sense that when you could not get attention probably while talking or making a presentation in the past, it may make you believe that you can encounter such in any gathering you find yourself.
(d) It may be a Lack of Self Confidence and Participation:
When you do not believe in yourself that you can face the crowd and make a good conversation while making a speech or presentation without
any error or blunder.
Also, when you don’t build up to participating participation in any gathering you find yourself, this can cause Enochlophobia.
Meanwhile, what sets apart Enochlophobia from a general dislike of crowds is that fear can take over your daily life.
As a result of your fear, you might practice avoidance, which means you alter your schedule and habits to make sure you do not come across any crowds. Thus, Avoidance can help you feel at ease because it keeps your phobia symptoms at bay.
(e) It can put you at a disadvantage in the long term.
(f) It may lead you to skip important experiences or fun activities, and it could cause problems with family or friends.
How Can You Manage It?
Enochlophobia can lead to intense fears, it could be a challenge to live with.
You might especially struggle if you are regularly exposed to crowds.
(i) Avoidance:
This could help, but relying on this practice all the time may make your phobia worry instead you can turn to other methods that might help you live better with or even reduce your fear of crowds.
(ii) Mindfulness:
This is one way you can try to ease your health.
Enochlophobia is your focus on being in the moment, so your mind does t wander off scenarios. Doing this can help you stay grounded and prevent irrational fears from coming up.
If you do encounter a large crowd or plan on being in one, try to visualize yourself safe and confident in your surroundings.
When possible, you might ask a friend or loved one to accompany you to a crowded event.
(iii) Calmness And Reducing Anxiety:
This could also help you manage symptoms of Enochlophobia.
These everyday strategies can help you in reducing anxiety and they include: regular exercise, a healthy diet, enough sleep, adequate hydration, less caffeine, relaxation, techniques; such as breathing, exercises, time spent on activities you enjoy, social activities that involve a small group of people etc.
In addition, you should try to calm your nerves when facing the crowd.
What Are Treatment You Can Use?
Therapy is the primary form of treatment for Enochlophobia.
It may include a combination of talk therapy and desensitization techniques, such as the following:
(1) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
CBT is a type of talk therapy that helps you work through your fears and learn how to replace irrational thinking habits with rational ones.
(2) Exposure Therapy (ET):
In this form of desensitization, you are gradually exposed to crowds.
Your therapist may even accompany you.
(3) Virtual Reality Technology (VRT):
This emerging form of exposure therapy may help you desensitize yourself to crowds without physically being in them.
With visual therapy, you are shown photos and images of crowds to help reshape your thinking before real-life exposure.
(4) Group Therapy (GT):
Group therapy can connect you with others who also deal with phobias.