Fear of Crowds And How to Handle it.
The fear of crowds is called Enochlophobia, Demophobia or Agoraphobia. This social phobia is deeply affecting more and more people today and is may become chronic to the extent that people afflicted with this disorder may even fear leaving their own homes.
Put Yourself In Their Shoes
The fear of crowds can be characterized by a panic attack on the person stricken with this disorder whenever he or she is in a crowded place such as malls, parks, train stations or theatres. The person who has a fear of crowds often thinks of several things which leads to severe anxiety such as:
- Deeply worrying what other people think of them.
- Anxious about experiencing a panic attack in the middle of the crowd, which ironically, can lead to one because he is deeply worrying about it.
- Feeling lost and insignificantly small in such a large crowd.
- Worrying that with such a large crowd, one would catch a virus and get sick.
- Fearing that there might be chaos or a stampede in such a large crowd.
- Feeling claustrophobic with so many people around.
A normal person would think that the feelings or thoughts described above are of no big deal but a person affected with fear of crowds thinks otherwise. His apprehension about being in a crowded place is so intense that he would suffer panic attacks when in a crowded place. Such panic attacks can be characterized by difficulty in breathing or chest pains, nausea, vomitting and fainting.
Curing The Fear of Crowds
There are many ways to cure the fear of crowds as described below.
- Therapy or Medication
A person stricken with fear of crowds can seek psychiatric help and go on a series of therapy sessions. The psychiatrist may or may not prescribe some medication to correct the chemical imbalance in the patient’s brain, if this is the cause of the person’s phobia.
- Self Help
Self help is also extremely helpful and effective but it would be much easier for the person who has a fear of crowds to have a trusted family member or friend who can support him or her all the way.
Self hypnosis is also a form of self-help.
How To Help
It is important to be extremely patient with a loved one who has a fear of crowds. Understand that each person stricken with this disorder cannot change overnight, not even for a year for some people afflicted.
Appreciate your loved ones’ efforts to eliminate the fear of crowds, for instance, whenever he or she ventures out to buy small grocery items in a crowded store, a pat on the back is extremely helpful. These small baby steps definitely can help your loved one overcome his fear of crowds.
Another big help is to actively participate in your loved ones’ therapy sessions, if any. Many psychiatrists working with people who has a fear of crowds also talk to their patient’s friends and family members and give some tips on how to overcome it. It would also be a good idea to do your own research on the fear of crowds by visiting your local library or seeking advice from social workers as well.