The word necrophobia comes from the Greeknekros(“corpse”) andphobos(“fear”).
A specificphobiais defined as an irrational and excessive fear of a specific object or situation.
There are no statistics on the prevalence of necrophobia, but specific phobias are quite common.
Eddie Gerald/Moment/Getty Images
If you suspect that you might have necrophobia, you should talk to a doctor or mental health professional.
Many mental health professionals and physicians use the criteria outlined in the DSM-5 when diagnosing mental disorders.
You should also let your doctor know about any medications or supplements you might be taking.
Causes
Researchers are not entirely sure of the exact causes of specific phobias such as necrophobia.
Some cultures, for example, believe that spirits may return and haunt the living.
Such beliefs may play a role in contributing to necrophobia.
CBT addresses the irrational thoughts and behaviors that maintain the fear response.
Through CBT, a person can learn to identify the automatic negative thoughts that lead to a phobic reaction.
In many cases, a combination of psychotherapy and medication may be used.
The fear reaction may make it difficult for the individual to function in controls such as school and work.
With appropriate treatment, you might cope with or even overcome your feelings of fear.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.
Kaczkurkin AN, Foa EB.Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders: an update on the empirical evidence.Dialogues Clin Neurosci.
2015;17(3):337346.
Prounis GS, Shields WM.Necrophobic behavior in small mammals.Behav Processes.
2013;94:41-4. doi:10.1016/j.beproc.2012.12.001
Samra CK, Abdijadid S.Specific Phobia.
In: StatPearls [Internet].
Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
