Does hating math class count?
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The fear of numbers is calledarithmophobia.
However, it would be considered a form ofspecific phobia, which is in the DSM.
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Specific phobias involve intense fear of certain objects or situations and are classified as an anxiety disorder.
They affect millions of people, although prevalence data for individual phobias is not readily available.
Lots of people hate math, even to the point that it can induce some level of anxiety.
This limits both educational and professional opportunities.
The fear of particularly large numbers is usually much less limiting, allowing the person to perform basic computations.
Fear of Specific Numbers
Some people with arithmophobia may fear specific numbers.
In cases like these, arithmophobia is usually rooted in superstition orreligious phobias.
The best-known example is a fear of the number 13, which is also calledtriskaidekaphobia.
But the number 13 is also an unlucky number in other cultures.
Loki, the Norse god of mischief, is also said to be the 13th god of the pantheon.
The number666is another number that’s widely feared in Western cultures.
If a child struggled with arithmophobiaespecially a generalized fear of numbersmath class can become very difficult and complicated.
There are things that you’ve got the option to do to help minimize or overcome your phobia.
In particular, a therapist may work with you using a technique calledexposure therapy.
A mental healthcare professional can help you determine the best course of action for treating your phobia.
Fearof.org.Fear of numbers, arithmophobia.
2001;323(7327):14431446. doi:10.1136/bmj.323.7327.1443