Understanding Aichmophobia: The Fear Of Sharp Objects
A phobia is defined by the American Psychological Association as “a persistent and irrational fear of a specific situation, object, or activity, which is consequently either strenuously avoided or endured with marked distress.” Phobias are classified as anxiety disorders. While a person can have a specific phobia of almost anything, from heights to flying to snakes, this type of fear usually manifests in similar ways regardless of the trigger.
What aichmophobia is and is not
The term aichmophobia is composed of the Greek words for point (aichmē) and fear (phobos). It applies to the fear of sharp objects, which can include needles. However, a fear of needles on its own—especially in conjunction with medical procedures—is classified as a different phobia known as trypanophobia.
Aichmophobia is also sometimes confused with sharp edge eye syndrome, or visual looming syndrome. With this condition, an individual does not fear the sharp items themselves, but experiences ocular discomfort or pain when viewing or mentally picturing sharp objects or edges.
Symptoms of aichmophobia
Many people with phobias will experience similar symptoms when faced with or sometimes even when thinking about the object of their fear. They’re usually aware that their fear is irrational, but can’t control it. They will typically avoid the trigger at all costs and won’t usually be able to function normally when faced with it. Physical symptoms when encountering their trigger may include:
- Rapid heartbeat
- Rapid breathing
- Sweating
- Chills or hot flashes
- Tightness in the throat
- Dry mouth
- Tingling in the extremities
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Fainting
What happens when aichmophobia is left untreated
If left untreated, aichmophobia can worsen as time goes on. In serious cases, it can prevent the person from participating in activities in their daily life for fear of coming into contact with a sharp object at some point. In turn, this can lead to social isolation, problems with work, school, and relationships, and depression or other mental health conditions as a result.
What causes aichmophobia
The exact incidence of aichmophobia is unknown, but specific phobias are fairly common. About 7–10% of the general population is affected by some kind of phobia. The cause of this phobia is also not well understood. It could be due to a past traumatic incident involving a sharp object, such as experiencing an accident, witnessing an accident, or experiencing a painful medical procedure. Genetics may also play a role in an individual’s risk of developing any anxiety disorder, including phobias.
If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.
Medical treatment for aichmophobia
People with aichmophobia can benefit from treatment because this condition has the potential to negatively impact their lives. In addition to causing them distress, it can also be stressful for their loved ones and the healthcare workers in charge of administering medical procedures, such as nurses, phlebotomists, and anesthetists. Their fear of sharp objects may lead them to avoid procedures that could improve their quality of life or even save it because of their fear. Again, this phobia can also make it difficult to leave the house, attend work or school, or socialize because of the fear of encountering a sharp object somewhere along the way.
As a result, seeking treatment can be important. The recommended course of action for someone experiencing aichmophobia or any other type of phobia is to meet with a mental health professional for evaluation. They’ll typically recommend some form of psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one methodology that’s commonly used to treat phobias. It’s based on the idea that core beliefs cause thoughts which can cause feelings and behaviors, so a cognitive behavioral therapist will help a client learn to recognize and shift unhealthy or flawed thought patterns that are causing distress. Exposure therapy, where the individual is gradually exposed to their trigger over time in a controlled, clinical setting, may also be suggested.
How to connect with a therapist
If you’re interested in meeting with a trained therapist to address symptoms of a phobia or another mental health condition, you have options. If you’d prefer to meet with someone in person, you can search for a provider in your local area. If you’d prefer to meet with someone from the comfort of home, or if you have trouble traveling to new environments due to phobia symptoms, you might consider virtual therapy.
With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist who you can meet with via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging from anywhere you have an internet connection. Research suggests that online therapeutic interventions may be as effective for the treatment of phobias as in-person methods, so you may be able to choose the format that works best for you.
Takeaway
How do you overcome fear of sharp objects or aichmophobia?
Although aichmophobia isn’t specifically recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), one would take the same steps to overcome it as other, more common phobias.
Treating aichmophobia takes time and help from a mental health professional, either in an outpatient medical setting or own practice. Psychotherapy is the most common method of treatment, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. In some severe cases, aichmophobia diagnosed by a psychiatrist may require medications to help the patient cope with symptoms of common co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
How many people experience panic from aichmophobia?
Some statistics indicate as many as 2.5%-5%, of the population experiences aichmophobia. But it’s unclear how many people are affected by a phobia of sharp objects specifically. In general, it’s believed that approximately 7%-10% of people experience phobias.
Why are some people scared of knives, needles or an injection?
While experts don’t know exactly what causes phobias like aichmophobia, they do believe it’s likely a combination of environment and biology. For example, people may have an intense fear of knives because they had a traumatic experience involving a knife or knife-like object. A person developing aichmophobia may have a similar type of phobia such as a needle phobia (trypanophobia) that eventually evolved to include knives. Or knives may have been a feared object in childhood in an unsupportive environment where parents or caregivers didn’t provide the support and reassurance necessary to alleviate those fears.
Dysfunction in areas of the brain that control the fear/threat response may also play a part in how phobias develop. This can be caused by genetics, brain trauma and injury, and neurological conditions like dementia.
How do I get over my anxiety and fear of knives?
The best techniques for treating aichmophobia is with techniques like exposure therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Psychiatrists may also recommend medications like anti-anxiety medications, beta blockers, and sedatives.
Self-care tips to complement therapeutic treatments
There are things you can do to supplement these therapeutic treatments on your own as well, such as:
- Take care of your physical health by getting enough sleep, plenty of exercise, and eating a balanced diet.
- Practice deep breathing relaxation techniques and mindfulness exercises.
- Seek support from friends and loved ones.
- Participate in a support group for people who have aichmophobia or other phobias either online or in your community.
Why do I get intrusive thoughts around knives?
Intrusive thoughts around knives are typically the result of past negative experiences— but there are other reasons people may experience these types of thoughts. For example, you may experience compulsive, unwanted thoughts of using a knife in violent ways towards yourself or others. While this is normal for many people, it’s also a common experience for some with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
What happens when you face your phobia and fears?
Facing your fears isn’t only liberating, but it can also help you release anxiety and condition your brain to experience less fear later. Studies indicate that avoiding our fears instead of facing them “teaches” the brain that’s the appropriate reaction when we experience extreme fear. While this may be beneficial for some threats, it isn’t usually the case with phobias that cause unreasonable fear.
Why do people with phobias continue to avoid the thing they fear?
The primary motivation behind why people with aichmophobia go out of their way to avoid sharp objects, even if they know it’s irrational, is to reduce the distress and anticipatory anxiety associated with it. These feelings can be debilitating, and, for some people, even embarrassing if they experience a panic attack in public or around people they don’t know well.
Why is it important to overcome phobias?
For individuals with phobias, overcoming them can reduce the physical and psychological symptoms associated with this type of extreme fear. A cross-national survey suggests that less than a quarter of people who meet the diagnostic criteria of a specific phobia seek treatment. When left unaddressed, phobias can worsen and cause co-occurring mental disorders like anxiety, depression, and OCD.
Also, some studies reveal that while people with specific phobias don’t necessarily die by unnatural causes sooner than people without— comorbid conditions such as acute stress and generalized anxiety disorder may increase the physical risk factors associated with shorter longevity.
How can a phobia like aichmophobia prevent someone leading a normal life?
Phobias can create a plethora of challenges that prevent individuals from leading a normal everyday life. It may disrupt a person’s ability to work, attend school, socialize, and develop satisfying relationships. It can lead to lower quality of life, diminished well-being, and physical problems.
How do you help someone with a phobia?
The best way to help someone with a phobia is to encourage them to seek treatment from a mental health professional.
Other ways you can help
- Learn about phobias and how they impact individuals.
- Recognize that their phobia is legitimate and very real for them.
- Be an active listener and practice empathy.
- Ask what you can do to help.
- Don’t pressure them to “get over it.”
Can a phobia such as aichmophobia harm you?
Aichmophobia refers to a specific phobia of sharp objects, such as knives, sharp corners, needles, and pencils. When unaddressed, aichmophobia can worsen over time. For example, having a morbid fear of pointed objects can significantly impact a person's life, leading to avoidance of activities and interfering with functioning, which can also cause other mental health concerns.
What makes the fear of needles worse?
Some activities may worsen one's fear of needles. To avoid increasing one's existing fear, the following suggestions may help:
- Seek distractions, such as chatting with the nurse when having blood drawn
- Avoid looking at the needle
- Bring a supportive friend or family member when going to medical appointments
- Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises
Are anxiety-related phobias lifelong?
Phobias are considered a type of anxiety disorder, which may either lessen or worsen over time. When unaddressed, a phobia can significantly affect a person throughout their life by limiting their life to avoid exposure to a specific object or situation. However, a phobia may affect each person differently, depending on its severity and how often a person comes into contact with the source of their phobia. For some people, merely thinking about the source of their phobia can induce fear and anxiety.
How do phobias and panic start?
A few factors may influence the development of phobias. These factors include:
- A phobia can be a learned response to a specific stimulus, such as witnessing the fear of a family member when they encountered broken glass and other sharp objects
- Genetic predisposition
- Experiencing a specific incident that caused trauma
What triggers fear during a medical injection?
A person may experience fear during a medical injection for various reasons. For example, a person can fear passing out at the touch of a needle or fear being restrained while receiving an injection.
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