Autophobia

In our current times, this is certainly one of the most worrying and relevant phobias. With mandatory social distancing, many have been experiencing feelings of anxiety stemming from isolation. But for people with Autophobia, even the thought of being alone can induce stress. They need people around them in order to feel safe and comfortable, and so the quarantine must be an especially tough time for them.

Symptoms:

• Having extreme, irrational anxiety over staying alone.
• Out of body experiences when actually isolated.
• Terror at the thought of being alone
• Panic attacks in the situation an autophobiac dreads.
• Lacking independence in relationships.

Interventions

• Cognitive behavourial therapy is a most common method of treating phobias, in which a therapist talks with the patient in order to nudge them towards a thought process that will eventually make them healthier.
• Exposure therapy, used mostly to treat anxiety disorders. The patient is exposed to their stressor little by little to desensitize them to it.
• Meds

When to consult a therapist?

When the fear of being alone is so strong to the point that it disrupts your daily routine, causes unhealthy thoughts and when you go out of your way to avoid being alone is when you should consult an official. As with any other phobia, this should have persisted for at least 6 months.

Myths and misconceptions

“Autophobia is just loneliness / insecurity“

Autophobia is in fact an actual medical condition in which loneliness, insecurity or paranoia are either simply catalysts or side-effects. It should definitely be viewed as separate from the three, and should not be undermined.

A lonely person will face negative feelings in the moment in which they are alone. They will not face the extreme anxiety and paranoia that a person with autophobia feels at the very thought of being left alone.