Phobias are basically fears of an object, or a phenomenon, Kosmikophobia is the fear of Cosmic phenomenon.
Sufferers of this condition, usually experience a high level of anxiety just from the thought of cosmic phenomenon.
Their anxiety could be so severe that they go into a panic attack, which might lead to being hospitalized. Though this might always be the case with all people living with Kosmikophobia, still it is possible.
They are usually expected to experience an increase in heat rate, high blood pressure, trembling, excessive sweat, and all.
These symptoms are not common to Kosmikophobia, but to almost all forms of phobias. Panic attacks are not always the case for those who have Kosmikophobia; it is still likely to occur, due to the severity of the phobic’s condition.
People who have Kosmikophobia always find themselves avoiding that which brings about their fears.
For example, they might find themselves avoiding looking up at the night sky due to their fears of seeing a cosmic phenomenon.
Someone with this condition will actively avoid their fears in an attempt to help them reduce their chances of experiencing any immediate anxiety.
But this usually worsens their situation rather than fixing it, cause in doing so; they are justifying their fear to themselves by avoiding it.
Causes of Kosmikophobia
Though there are no definite causes for the various forms of phobias out there, including Kosmikophobia, still there are some causes that experts believe could lead to the formation of Kosmikophobia in the early stages of people.
An environmental and genetic factor is said to play a significant role in the life of people who have Kosmikophobia.
For example; if someone was born into a family where a mental disorder is prominent, then said individual could have the same genetic traits as his siblings or parents.
All that’s left for them is to go through a traumatic experience. The experience would trigger or start the formation of Kosmikophobia due to their genetic makeup.
Symptoms of Kosmikophobia
Like all other phobias, people have Kosmikophobia, can experience anxiety, and this anxiety can rise to a level where a panic attack could be imminent.
Depending on the severity of their panic attack, they might need to be hospitalized, though this usually varies for different people, and various factors also determine it.
Furthermore, people who have Kosmikophobia go through a lot of effort to make sure they don’t come in contact with their fears in any way.
Below are some other symptoms of Kosmikophobia
- Racing heart
- Falling out of touch with reality
- Feeling dizzy, choky, lightheadedness etc
- Cold or hot flushes
- The thought of death or dying
- Chest pain
- High level of anxiety when thinking of precipice
- Constantly avoiding precipice
- Being unable to cope with their fear of precipices
- Muscle tension, shakiness, and excessive sweatiness
- Might even experience panic attacks
Treatment for Kosmikophobia
Treatments for Kosmikophobia might include some Therapy like Cognitive-behavioural (CBT), or Exposure therapy.
Below is a list of treatments that might have helped those that are suffering from Kosmikophobia
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy is a pervasive way of treating various forms of phobia. Exposure therapy works well for most patients suffering from phobias, including Kosmikophobia.
Its procedure is quite adequate, as people who have Kosmikophobia, are gradually made to put themselves in various positions where they find themselves in situations where they have to face their fears, and learning to cope with their fears, while in that state.
Their treatment might start from simple things like getting used to the word heaven, sky, and looking up into the air. If the phobic develops the confidence and surpasses this stage, he might be advance to a more advance form of treatment.
In the course of treatment of Kosmikophobia, the Doctor might start the procedure by showing pictures of planest, space, milky-ways, moon, night skies and so on to the patient; after some time, the patients might be introduced to various videos.
The Doctor would use this as it is said to be one of the best ways of treating Kosmikophobia.
This method is proposed to help disordered patients or Kosmikophobia patient get over their fear of cosmic phenomenon.
Theoretically, the more exposed a patient is to the object of his dismay, the more they get passed that fear, and the less they get bothered by it.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This is an option that focuses on changing the negative thoughts that people who have Kosmikophobia have, to healthier ones to help improve their lifestyle.
Phobias can cause visible activation and changes in neural pathways of the brain.
Through research in 2013, studies have found that CBT has a significant impact on people who have specific phobias, such as Kosmikophobia.
Medication for Kosmikophobia
There aren’t that many drugs out there that cures phobia. No medication is specifically designed to cure Kosmikophobia or any other kind of phobia.
However, some could manage the phobia for a short-term.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers is a medication that helps with physical symptoms of anxiety. Increase heart rate, dizziness among others are dome of the physical symptoms Beta-blockers treats.
They are used before going into a situation that might trigger the physical symptoms
Benzodiazepines
These are some forms of sedative that help to decrease anxiety symptoms in patients. These medications could be very addictive; this is one of its downsize; so it is usually used occasionally, and as prescribed by the Doctor
D-cycloserine (DCS)
This is a drug that is said to help exposure therapy work better. A result in a 2017 review afforms this claim.
Exercise for Kosmikophobia
Exercises are seen as one of the best ways of treating mental disorder, which includes Kosmikophobia; cardiovascular exercises is one of the most effective practises that is said to relieve stress.
Aerobic exercises is also one of the activities that is know to help people; it’s effecient at releasing some of the good chemicals in the brain, i.e. endorphins.
Since stress had been seen as a significant course of anxiety, Doctor has advised that regular exercise would yield a good result for Kosmikophobia.
Support Groups
There are various offline and online support groups. This is a form of treatment where people are suffering from all kinds of phobias and anxiety or stress-related problems go-to to find a solution to their worries.
By sharing one’s experience with other people, it helps to know that they are not alone, and they might be able to overcome their fears.
