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What is Trypophobia : Symptoms and Diagnosis

What is Trypophobia : Symptoms and Diagnosis

Trypophobia is a fear or disgust of closely-packed holes. People who have it feel queasy when looking at surfaces that have small holes gathered close together. For example, the head of a lotus seed pod or the body of a strawberry could trigger discomfort in someone with this phobia. The phobia is not officially recognized. Studies on trypophobia are limited, and the research that is available is split on whether or not it should be considered an official condition.

Triggers

Not much is known about trypophobia. But common triggers include things like:

  • lotus seed pods
  • honeycombs
  • strawberries
  • coral
  • aluminum metal foam
  • pomegranates
  • bubbles
  • condensation
  • cantaloupe
  • a cluster of eyes

Animals, including, insects, amphibians, mammals, and other creatures that have spotted skin or fur, can also trigger symptoms of trypophobia.

Symptoms

Symptoms are reportedly triggered when a person sees an object with small clusters of holes or shapes that resemble holes.

When seeing a cluster of holes, people with trypophobia react with disgust or fear. Some of the symptoms include:

  • goosebumps
  • feeling repulsed
  • feeling uncomfortable
  • visual discomfort such as eyestrain, distortions, or illusions
  • distress
  • feeling your skin crawl
  • panic attacks
  • sweating
  • nausea
  • body shakes

Researchers don’t agree on whether or not to classify trypophobia as a real phobia. One of the first studies on trypophobia, published in 2013, suggested that the phobia may be an extension of a biological fear of harmful things. The researchers found that symptoms were triggered by high-contrast colors in a certain graphic arrangement. They argue that people affected by trypophobia were subconsciously associating harmless items, like lotus seed pods, with dangerous animals, such as the blue-ringed octopus.

A study published in April 2017 disputes these findings. Researchers surveyed preschoolers to confirm whether the fear upon seeing an image with small holes is based on a fear of dangerous animals or a response to visual traits. Their results suggest that people who experience trypophobia don’t have a nonconscious fear of venomous creatures. Instead, the fear is triggered by the creature’s appearance.

Risk Factors

Not much is known about the risk factors linked to trypophobia. One study from 2017 found a possible link between trypophobia and major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). According to the researchers, people with trypophobia were more likely to also experience major depressive disorder or GAD. Another study published in 2016 also noted a link between social anxiety and trypophobia.

Diagnosis

To diagnosis a phobia, your doctor will ask you a series of questions about your symptoms. They’ll also take your medical, psychiatric, and social history. They may also refer to the DSM-5 to help in their diagnosis. Trypophobia is not a diagnosable condition because the phobia is not officially recognized by medical and mental health associations.

Treatment

There are different ways a phobia can be treated. The most effective form of treatment is exposure therapy. Exposure therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on changing your response to the object or situation causing your fear. Another common treatment for a phobia is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT combines exposure therapy with other techniques to help you manage your anxiety and keep your thoughts from becoming overwhelming.

Trypophobia isn’t an officially recognized phobia. Some researchers have found evidence that it exists in some form and has real symptoms that can impact a person’s everyday life if they’re exposed to triggers. Speak with your doctor or a counselor if you think you may have trypophobia. They can help you find the root of the fear and manage your symptoms.