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Philophobia - Causes, Symptoms, and Management

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Philophobia is a rare type of phobia defined as the fear of love, being loved by someone, or being connected to someone emotionally.

Written by

Dr. Kirti Maan

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Vishal Anilkumar Gandhi

Published At September 30, 2022
Reviewed AtSeptember 30, 2022

What Is Philophobia?

Philophobia is a rare but true phobia of love or being loved. The word philophobia is a Greek derivative word that means fear of love, wherein philo means to love, and phobia means fear hence the fear of love. Philophobia is similar to some of the other phobias, such as anthropophobia (fear of people), social anxiety disorder (fear of interacting with people), and agoraphobia (entering a crowded place). It is similar to yet different from other phobias.

Love is a very strong emotion; falling in love with someone or allowing someone to love oneself is a very powerful feeling. Often, people commonly see and observe the fear of falling in love. But this fear may take the face of philophobia when it is not sorted or is irrational, or is not related to their past. This fear hinders any possible relationship an individual might have or develop shortly as they fear and face commitment issues. The most severe form of complication due to philophobia is solitude or isolation, and they live their lives being or feeling unloved.

Philophobia is not officially diagnosable as it is yet not included in the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition (DSM-V). This manual contains all medical conditions, including both physical and mental symptoms. The reason philophobia is yet not added is that the negative impact it has on people is questionable. As it does leave an impact, and it might affect an individual too, whether it is a negative or long-lasting effect is still under the microscope.

What Causes Philophobia?

Like many other phobias, the exact cause of philophobia is yet to be discovered. However, probable causes of philophobia are listed to avoid the trigger factors and manage the causative factors. Some of the causative factors are:

  1. Terrible past experiences.

  2. History of abandonment as a child or a teenager.

  3. Depression (if an individual suffers from depression, the risk of philophobia increases).

  4. Anxiety disorders.

  5. Substance abuse disorders.

  6. Suicidal tendencies.

  7. Traumatic history of previous broken or mismanaged relationships.

  8. Cultural experiences are when a culture does not allow an individual to indulge in a relationship before marriage (at a young age).

  9. Fear of abandonment or rejection.

  10. Anthropophobia.

  11. History of experiencing infidelity (as a child or their personal experience).

  12. Socially outcasted or rejected.

  13. Toxic relationships.

What Are the Symptoms of Philophobia?

Signs and symptoms of philophobia are divided into two categories, physical and psychological symptoms. Philophobia is a psychological illness; however, in extreme cases, when an individual is exposed to the trigger factors, they may portray physical symptoms too, which often mimics an anxiety disorder. Symptoms of philophobia are-

Psychological Symptoms of Philophobia Are:

  • Persistent fear of relationship or love.

  • Continuous effort to avoid people.

  • Abandonment issues.

  • Avoids contact with family, relatives, friends, and colleagues.

  • Suppress their emotions and feelings.

  • Evades family functions such as wedding ceremonies.

  • Socially secluded or isolated.

  • Unsteadiness.

  • Lack of intimate relationships.

  • Episodes of crying.

  • Portrays possessive behavior.

Physical Symptoms of Philophobia Are:

  • Nausea.

  • Sweating.

  • Dyspnoea (shortness of breath or difficulty while breathing).

  • Shallow breathing.

  • Tachypnea (increased heart rate or palpitations).

  • Gastrointestinal distress symptoms such as indigestion, acidity, or abdominal cramps.

  • Panic attacks.

  • Anxiety attacks (in rare and extreme cases).

  • Anticipatory anxiety (the fear of fearing or the sense of impending doom).

  • Dizziness.

  • Lightheadedness.

  • Trembling or shaking.

  • Difficulty functioning.

  • Chest pains.

How to Diagnose Someone With Philophobia?

As discussed above, philophobia is not yet added in the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition (DSM-V). Hence, no formal diagnosis of philophobia can be made. However, an individual with worsening symptoms might pay a visit to a psychologist or a psychiatrist (in case of severe anxiety attacks or episodes of depression) for their symptoms to achieve symptomatic relief.

A licensed psychologist might probe into the illness by asking the individual about their experience, symptoms, and trigger factors.

What Is the Treatment of Philophobia?

Individuals living with mild philophobia may treat themselves as self-help is the first help they need and should ask for. However, in cases ranging from moderate to severe, self-help does not suffice the treatment category and requires professional help. Therefore, people who have philophobia should visit a licensed mental health professional for the required help.

In most cases, individuals with a phobia are advised to avoid or absolve their trigger factors; if they fail to do so, they undergo therapy to talk about their latent or irrational fear. Different therapies used in case of the treatment of a phobia include-

  • Desensitization Therapy or Self-Exposure Therapy: As the name suggests, an individual is exposed to their trigger factors or fears but in a controlled environment and a controlled manner to observe the reaction and symptoms and then desensitize them to the respective fear.

  • Counseling: An individual talks about their fears, issues, and shortcomings to the counselor to resolve them. And the counselor, in return, offers them guidelines, points, and homework to help them better assess the irregularities they face in their relationship.

  • Psychotherapy: This is also known as talk therapy, wherein the counselor has talk sessions with the patient to express their emotions, fears, and wrongdoings.

  • Cognitive-Behavior Therapy: The most effective mode of therapy is cognitive-behavior therapy. The patient and the counselor talk in detail and go through all their past and present relationships to manifest a change and avoid the wrongdoings in the previous relationships.

Medicinal therapy is used in rare and extreme cases where the symptoms overpower the individuals, such as anxiety attacks, panic attacks, irrational fears, episodes of frantic crying, and depressive episodes. Some of the medicines prescribed are:

  • Antidepressants.

  • Tranquilizers.

  • Beta-blockers.

What Are the Complications of Philophobia?

If philophobia is not detected or treated early on, the extreme case of philophobia might lead to complications, which are portrayed by both physical and psychological health conditions.

Some of the complications of philophobia are:

  1. It might develop into substance abuse or misuse (reportedly drugs or alcohol).

  2. Depression (episodes of clinical depression and major depressive disorder are often noticed).

  3. Social isolation.

  4. Suicidal tendencies.

  5. Schizophrenia (in the most extreme cases).

  6. Episodes of guilt or remorse.

Even when the case is not that severe or might not develop into complications, treatment for philophobia is essential as individuals suffering might live in constant fear of love and relationship and, due to this, often live a life alone or in solitude.

Conclusion:

Even with developed medical sciences, the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of philophobia are difficult, as only a few official cases have been reported. Everyone, once in a while, feels uncomfortable or has a fear of love or falling in love. Still, when it gets serious or the symptoms start to appear, they should seek professional help to avoid complications. Philophobia is a mental illness that can be treated with professional help and care, as long as the individual agrees to ask for help and receives it with an open mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

Is Philophobia a Disorder?

Philophobia is the abnormal and unreasonable fear of developing romantic or emotional attachments.

2.

Is Philophobia Normal?

Philophobia may make it difficult for certain people to open up and find love, even though it is not the most frequent phobia.

3.

How to Love Someone With Philophobia?

To help someone you care about who suffers from philophobia overcome their fear, one needs to love them with compassion, empathy, and open communication so that they may feel comfortable enough to begin to trust others.

4.

Is There a Phobia of Kissing?

The fear of kissing or being kissed is called "philemaphobia," a real phobia.

5.

What Causes Fear of Love?

Numerous factors, such as negative past experiences, reluctance to express emotion, dread of rejection, and a poor self-image, may contribute to a person's fear of love. 

6.

Can Philophobia Be Cured?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and dealing with underlying emotional issues are all effective ways to treat and manage philophobia.

7.

What’s the Longest Phobia?

As the duration and intensity of phobias can vary from person to person and with therapy, it is impossible to say with certainty which is the longest phobia.

8.

Is Philophobia a Mental Illness?

Philophobia is not recognized as a specific mental condition; rather, it is categorized as a particular phobia within the larger group of anxiety disorders.

9.

How Common Is Philophobia?

It is challenging to understand how widespread Philophobia is; nonetheless, it is likely to be uncommon compared to more common forms of anxiety.

10.

Can You Overcome Philophobia?

It is possible to overcome philophobia and acquire healthy attitudes about love and relationships with the correct support, treatment, and progressive exposure to anxieties.

11.

How to Love a Person With Philophobia?

Loving someone with philophobia entails urging them to get professional care and providing unconditional support, empathy, and understanding of their anxieties.

12.

Is Relationship Phobia Real?

Yes, there is a well-established psychiatric syndrome known as "relationship phobia," often called "commitment phobia" or "fear of relationships," which is characterized by a profound aversion to forming new, lasting connections.
Dr. Vishal Anilkumar Gandhi
Dr. Vishal Anilkumar Gandhi

Psychiatry

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