What is Asthenophobia?
Asthana-phobia literally translated from Greek words “asthenia,” which is interpreted as a sense of weakness, and “phobic,” which is fear. Asthenophobia is, therefore, one of the most dangerous, irrational sorts of fear of weakness or loss of strength. This condition usually presents in various forms of weakness. It affects the normal activities of a person, with a general disturbance of a human being’s general well-being. Perhaps many of them experience various moments of weaknesses. However, while for a person suffering from this feeling, fear is too heavy psychologically, and unveiling avoidance behaviors, anxiety.
Symptoms of Asthenophobia
The patients suffering from the asthenophobia present different symptoms. Some of the ordinary symptoms include;
Symptoms of Panic Onset: This is a sudden attack characterized by sudden intense fear. It is strong enough to cause physical symptoms such as palpitation, sweating, and inability to breathe.
Avoiding situations People do their best to avoid situations whereby they feel that they may appear weak from physical activity or social engagements.
Dread of losing power or failure weak: A deep-seated fear may develop
Physiological effects: The individual is likely to be dazed, nauseous, and think they are dying due to the fear of things
Social Withdraw: They will keep away from friends and family to avoid others labeling them as weak
Knowing the symptoms would be the first answer to solving the problem .
Asthenophobia triggers
Some of the following could be some of the causes of asthenophobia among others:
Traumatic Experiences: Individual past experiences of physical debilitation, for instance getting injured or falling ill in the past could develop asthenophobia.
Genetic Patterns: Anxiety disorder or phobia found in some members in a family could cause increased susceptibility to gaining asthenophobia.
Environmental Factors: People who are exposed to messages which focus on strength and hardness will likely, attribute to weakness and base their exaggeration on that aspect.
Cognitive Factors: Maladaptive or dysfunctional perceptions of strength and weakness, through thought processes, inflate the phobias.
Unless the root issues are grasped any better then it is only by intuition analogy that some direction to appropriate treatment strategies can be obtained.
Diagnosis and Therapeutic Interventions
In general, proper evaluation from a mental health professional is required to reach the diagnosis of asthenophobia. Such an evaluation would include the following areas:
Clinical Interview: The patient would ask the associations of symptoms to be made over time and how it affects the daily life of the patient.
Psychological Assessment: The severity of the fear is rated using standardized checklists. Treatment Techniques
There are several kinds of therapies for asthenophobia and they cover:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: CBT is one of the several effective treatments regarding phobias. The concept here is that it helps to identify and alter the way of thinking that accompanies the fear.
Exposure Therapy: Gradual exposure to the conditions that evoke extreme fear in them under a controlled climate enables them gradually to become accustomed to those situations.
Medication: At times, they may be put on antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs so that their symptoms can be coaxed under control.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: There are meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and many more which can also enable patients in coping better with this anxiety disorder and help bolster coping skills.
A registered therapist will guide a patient to formulate some techniques to be used in the treatment of such anxiety disorder .
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Coping Skills
Other than professional care, a fear of weakness patient has a lot of coping mechanisms that he or she will use to maintain his or her level of anxiety in check. These include:
Learn about asthenophobia: One will learn about the condition he or she suffers from; therefore, knowing some facts behind it may empower him or her to deal with some of those fears.
Relaxation techniques. The frequency of practice of the relaxation techniques can provide relief of symptoms of anxiety.
Challenge negative thoughts. Keeping a journal or diary may be useful to monitor and challenge negative thoughts about weakness to enhance a healthier attitude.
Realistic goals. A confidence-building process through gradual attainment of set goals through the fighting of fears.
Seek support. There is the need to relate with people who understand the struggle because that may be the one providing much-needed emotional support.
These coping mechanisms will be in a position to enable one to regain mastery of their lives.
Conclusion
Asthenophobia is an abnormal fear of weakness. Asthenophobia can dramatically influence the lifestyle of one. There is benefit for one to be informed about the symptoms, causes, and treatments in existence that exist for the said fear. In case you or your friend happens to have asthenophobia, see a mental health professional.
The time, patience, and endurance required to overcome phobias are tremendous. With the right support through the best techniques, one can overcome his or her weakness phobia and actually do what is desired-to lead a more fulfilling life. All that one needs to do is take the first step, which usually can be the most pivotal part of the healing process.
