This is a form of phobia that causes an intense fear of large objects (such as skyscrapers, airplanes, and big statues). However, this is a treatable condition like many other types of phobias. Doctors often treat it with a type of psychological therapy known as exposure therapy.
Furthermore, megalophobia (fear of large objects) is a type of anxiety disorder in which a person experiences an intense fear of large objects. Check below some objects that may trigger an intense fear in people with megalophobia:
- Tall buildings
- Large monuments
- Vast natural features (such as mountains, volcanoes, lakes, and oceans)
- Big boats (including ships and barges)
- Large vehicles (including buses and trains)
- Big animals (such as whales and elephants)
- Large spaces (including inside a stadium)
Sometimes, it is difficult to diagnose this condition because there are multiple types of phobias that may cause similar symptoms. For instance, certain phobias cause a fear of something that happens to be large, but its size is not the main aspect of the fear itself. Thus, some people may have an intense fear of the ocean, and it does not necessarily mean they have megalophobia. They may have thalassophobia (fear of the ocean). That’s why it is recommended to see a doctor if you are experiencing an intense fear.
How Common is Megalophobia?
In general, it is difficult to estimate how many people have this type of anxiety disorder because most of them do not seek medical help. According to some research, approximately 7% to 10% of the population has a phobia.
Symptoms
Usually, people with phobias go to extreme lengths to avoid situations that cause an intense fear. If a person has megalophobia, he/she will try to avoid large objects or stay near large objects. Check below some common symptoms that occur in people with this type of anxiety disorder:
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Nausea
- A strong desire to escape the situation
- Fast heartbeat
- Intense fear and anxiety
If you or a loved one experiences any of the symptoms listed above, immediately contact a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.
Causes and Risk Factors
Healthcare providers do not fully understand what exactly causes megalophobia. However, they believe there is a combination of negative or traumatic experiences that involve large objects. Moreover, physicians have identified some factors that may increase your risk of developing megalophobia. Check some examples below:
- Age – While it may affect anyone, it is mostly noticed in children, adolescents, and young adults.
- Gender – Megalophobia mostly occurs in females.
- People who experience stressful situations during childhood are more prone to megalophobia.
- Family history – The risk of developing megalophobia significantly increases if you have a parent or sibling with anxiety disorders.
What Are The Long-term Effects of Megalophobia?
People who leave this condition untreated may experience some complications. Check some examples below:
- Lifestyle limitation – For instance, intense avoidance behavior may limit daily activities (such as refusing to go outside, avoiding specific routes, or avoiding traveling).
- Physical problems – These include increased risk of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, or respiratory problems due to prolonged stress levels.
- Occupational and social impairment
- Acute panic symptoms – Sometimes, people may experience overwhelming physical reactions (such as a fast heart rate or shortness of breath) due to intense fear.
Diagnosis
Most of the time, doctors diagnose this condition through multiple questions about a person’s history, experiences, and symptoms. Commonly, people with megalophobia should have an intense fear of large objects for at least 6 months to diagnose this type of anxiety disorder. Physicians also use the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Doctors often diagnose megalophobia if a person has at least 4 of the following criteria. These include:
- Intense and unreasonable fear – It means you experience intense fear of the object or situation that is out of proportion to an appropriate level of fear.
- Anticipatory anxiety – people with megalophobia tend to avoid situations or experiences that will cause intense fear.
- Avoidance – If you have this condition, you will avoid objects that you are afraid of.
- The condition interferes with daily activities – The symptoms of megalophobia are interfering with daily activities.
In general, there are no specific tests that can confirm megalophobia. That’s why doctors use multiple questions and the previous criteria to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms.
Treatment
In most cases, people notice improvements with the following treatment options. It is very important to seek medical help if you experience any symptoms that indicate a phobia. Generally, most people do not get treatment. Check below the most common treatments used to treat megalophobia:
Exposure Therapy
This treatment is a type of psychological therapy used to treat different forms of phobias. During this therapy, you will learn how to manage fear caused by large objects and get support to enter situations that trigger the symptoms. Physicians usually start exposure therapy for people with megalophobia with discussions about large objects. After that, they may begin to show you pictures with large objects and gradually help you cope with fear.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This treatment is also a form of talk therapy (also known as psychotherapy) that is used to treat multiple mental disorders (including megalophobia). It also helps better cope with stress and anxiety when you are around large objects.
Medicines
Usually, medicines are not used to treat specific phobias (such as megalophobia), but doctors may recommend the following medications to relieve the symptoms of fear and anxiety during psychological therapy. They often prescribe:
- Beta-blockers – This group of medicines can be used to treat physical symptoms, such as a fast heart rate and other anxiety symptoms.
- Sedatives (also known as benzodiazepines) – These medicines may help people with megalophobia relax and reduce the amount of anxiety they feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cure for megalophobia?
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent or cure this condition. The only way to prevent serious complications and improve your quality of life is early diagnosis and proper treatment. Doctors often recommend exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat this condition.
What triggers megalophobia?
People with this type of anxiety disorder often experience symptoms due to large objects, including skyscrapers, large statues or monuments, mountains, ships, airplanes, huge animals, and others.
When should I visit a healthcare professional?
While it can be uncomfortable and scary to talk about your mental health, it is advised to see a doctor if you have symptoms that interfere with your daily activities. Without treatment, you can experience serious complications. If you have any other questions, ask your healthcare provider.
