Aichmophobia - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

What Is Aichmophobia?

Aichmophobia is derived from the Greek word ‘aichme’, which means point, and ‘phobos’, which means fear. So, aichmophobia means an abnormal or irrational fear of sharp objects or pointed objects like knives, pins, scissors, syringes, hypodermic needles, and corners of buildings or furniture. It is a type of anxiety disorder in which the affected avoids places or situations that involve sharp objects.

The affected individual visually and physically avoids such situations. Phobia, in general, means unreasonable, excessive, and persistent fear of certain objects, places, or situations. Aichmophobia is a type of specific phobia and is characterized as a mental health disorder.

As a person daily encounters these sharp objects (household objects), for the affected individual, it becomes really difficult to perform daily tasks. It can also cause the person to avoid necessary medical procedures due to fear of needles, syringes, etc.

Other phobias similar to aichmophobia are:

• Stylophobia - Unreasonable extreme persistent fear of pens.

• Belonephobia - Unreasonable extreme persistent fear of pins and needles.

• Trypanophobia - Unreasonable extreme persistent fear of needles used in medical procedures.

• Iatrophobia - Unreasonable extreme persistent fear of medical procedures and doctors.

• Haemophobia - Unreasonable extreme persistent fear of blood.

What Are the Causes?

There is no specific cause for aichmophobia.

The common causes include:

• Past Traumatic Experience:

A past traumatic experience that involves sharp objects/places which happened in childhood or later can lead to aichmophobia development. The experience can be direct, in which the trauma happened directly to the individual, or indirect experience in which another closeby person was exposed to the trauma and the affected individual was the witness.

• Learned Phobia:

If a family member/relative has aichmophobia, exposure to such a phobia in childhood or adolescence can lead to the development of aichmophobia.

• Stress:

Long-term stress can trigger phobias as the person becomes unable to manage emotions and thought processes as a result of stress.

• Exposure to Scary Information:

A person can develop a phobia due to scary information about sharp objects or places, and this is called an informational learning experience.

What Are the Triggers?

Triggers vary from person to person.

The common triggers are:

• Vision or usage of sharp objects like needles, pins, pens, knives, scissors, etc.

• Hearing a sound that is associated with a sharp object like cutting with scissors, cutting with knives, or clacking of knitting needles, etc.

• Scareful information about sharp objects.

• Videos or pictures of sharp objects.

• Places or exposure to situations that involve sharp objects like medical procedures.

What Are the Symptoms?

Symptoms vary from person to person and depend on the person’s mental health and other factors. The symptoms are mild for some and severe for others.

Symptoms include physiological symptoms and psychological symptoms:

Physiological Symptoms:

• Increased heart rate.

• Shortness of breath.

• Rapid breathing.

• Dizziness/Lightheadedness.

• Confusion.

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

• Dry mouth.

• Trembling.

• Sweating.

• Decrease in blood pressure.

• Numbness.

• Paleness/flushing of the face.

• Stomach upset.

• Loss of appetite.

A sudden drop in blood pressure and heart rate may lead to a vasovagal response in some.

Psychological Symptoms:

• Irritability.

• Visual and physical avoidance of triggers.

• Feeling detached from reality.

• Anxiety and unreasonable fear while encountering sharp objects.

How Is It Diagnosed?

In the case of aichmophobia, the person seeks treatment from a psychologist or a mental healthcare professional. The psychologist conducts a questionnaire to analyze the person’s triggers, the severity of the condition, the onset of symptoms, and the extent to which the condition affects the person’s daily activities.

To confirm the diagnosis of aichmophobia the following criteria should be fulfilled:

• Fear is defined as persistent, excessive, and abnormal. The fear can occur either in the presence or absence (pictures/videos) of sharp objects.

• The fear is disproportionate to the threat.

• Exposure to triggers produces an anxiety response.

• The fear lasts for a minimum of six-month duration.

• Avoidance of places or situations where there is a chance to encounter fear.

• The fear and symptoms cannot be attributed to another mental health disorder.

• Avoidance behavior and phobia affect the person’s day-to-day activities.

How Can Someone Conquer Their Fear of Needles?

Healthcare providers like psychotherapists or psychiatrists, aid in overcoming aichmophobia through exposure or cognitive behavioral therapy. Environmental adjustments, like anesthetic cream or emotional support, and medications like SSRIs, might also be considered alongside psychotherapy.

What Are the Treatment Options?

The treatment option varies from person to person. The psychologist takes into account the frequency, severity, and onset of symptoms, the mental health of the person, the root cause of the condition, and the overall well-being of the individual.

The common treatment options include the following:

Exposure Therapy:

Exposure therapy is used to treat specific phobias, including aichmophobia. It is also called systematic desensitization. The therapist exposes the individual to the triggers in a safe, controlled environment in a systematic manner. It helps in coping with the triggers.

Hypnotherapy:

Hypnotherapy involves relaxation techniques that help in identifying the root cause of the phobia. It puts the individual in a hypnotic state and changes negative thoughts and patterns related to sharp objects or places.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a type of talking therapy done either on an individual basis or as a group.

Medications:

Medications are not commonly used for treating aichmophobia, but if other treatments fail and the condition is severe, medications are used. Medications are also given in cases where anxiety or depression is present along with aichmophobia.

The medications prescribed include:

• Anti-anxiety medication.

• Benzodiazepine.

• Beta-blockers.

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors(SSRIs).

Coping with Aichmophobia

Complete avoidance of triggers(sharp objects or places) is unrealistic and may affect the individual's daily activities. The short-term and long-term coping methods include:

• Distraction Techniques:

Distraction techniques involve techniques to distract oneself while encountering sharp objects. These may include listening to music, reading, communicating with others, etc.

• Visualization Techniques:

Visualization techniques help in coping with the phobia. While encountering fear, the individual visualizes a memory that keeps them calm.

• Yoga and Meditation:

Yoga and meditation involve breathing exercises that keep one calm and controlled in a stressful situation.

• Lifestyle Changes:

The lifestyle of a person can have an impact on stress levels and anxiety levels. Changes in lifestyle and shifting to a healthy lifestyle can reduce phobia symptoms. Eating a balanced diet, regular exercises including breathing exercises, good sleep, avoiding caffeine, etc., can reduce stress and phobia symptoms.

Conclusion

Aichmophobia in mild cases does not require treatment; the individual will get better with the coping techniques. The coping techniques include yoga, meditation, mindfulness programs, breathing exercises, lifestyle changes. Treatment is required for aichmophobia only in cases where the symptoms are severe or anxiety and depression are present.