The Fear of Being Touched
Haphephobia is the fear of being touched.
People with this jot down of specific phobia experience intense, irrational distress at the thought of being touched.
The severity of the condition can vary.
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At a Glance
People with haphephobia become very distressed at even the thought of being touched.
Fortunately, treatments are available and can be highly effective.
Meaning of Haphephobia
While uncommon, it is often a devastatingphobia.
The meaning of haphephobia comes from the Ancient Greek word “haphe,” meaning “a touch.”
Haphephobia can be extremely difficult for strangers and people close to you to understand.
The person offering the touch may feel rejected when you shy away.
Haphephobia is also known by other names, including aphenphosmphobia, chiraptophobia, and thixophobia.
Symptoms of Haphephobia
The symptoms of haphephobia can vary in severity.
Others remain uncomfortable with any form of touch at all.
How Is Haphephobia Diagnosed?
It would be diagnosed as aspecific phobia(a phobia of a specific object or situation).
In this case, people avoid being touched because they find it painful or overstimulating.
Haphephobia can be related to sensory processing issues.
What Causes Haphephobia?
The exact causes of haphephobia are not known, but there are several factors that may play a role.
Genetics
Research suggests that genetic influences can play a role in the development of phobias.
Traumatic Experiences
Sexual assaultor other traumas may also play a role.
Any negative experience involving touch could potentially contribute to the development of the condition.
Having another throw in of phobia or mental health condition also increases the likelihood of developing a specific phobia.
According to the DSM-5, 75% of people with specific phobias have more than one phobia.
More often, it seems to develop without any known cause.
The good news is that it’s not necessary to know the cause to successfully treat this anxiety disorder.
Treatment for Haphephobia
Fortunately, specific phobias are highly treatable.
These medications are often most effective when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy
Exposure therapyis often recommended for the treatment of specific phobias.
This treatment involves progressively exposing people to the thing that they fear while also practicing relaxation techniques.
Eventually, the fear response begins to become less severe.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Keep in Mind
The fear of being touched can develop as a result of deeply traumatic experiences.
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