Global InformationAutophobia information
| Autophobia | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Psychology |
Autophobia, also called monophobia, isolophobia, or eremophobia, is the specific phobia or a morbid fear or dread of oneself or of being alone, isolated, abandoned, and ignored.[1][2] This specific phobia is associated with the idea of being alone, often causing severe anxiety.[3]
While autophobia isn't recognized as its own individual phobic disorder in major mental health diagnostic publications, it is still a disorder that may be treated like any other anxiety-based disorder through the use of medications and therapies.[4] This disorder may, however, be classified and diagnosed as code 6B03 "specific phobia" in the ICD-11[5] and a situational type specific phobia [300.29 (F40.248)] in the DSM-5.[6]
Those with this condition suffer in a range of situations, both in solitude and in company of others. Isolated, people with autophobia struggle with a fear of inability to handle challenges by themselves. On the other hand, those with this condition may still struggle in fear of abandonment and maintaining relationships even when those they are in relationships with are physically present.[7]
Contrary to what would be inferred by a literal reading of the term, autophobia does not describe a "fear of oneself"[8] nor is it the fear of automobiles (despite various cultures abbreviating automobile to "auto"). It typically develops from and is associated with personal trauma, anxiety, depression or other disorders.[9]
Autophobia can be associated with or accompanied by other phobias, such as agoraphobia, and is generally considered part of the agoraphobic cluster, meaning that it has many of the same characteristics as certain anxiety disorders and hyperventilation disorders and may be present in a comorbid state with these disorders, although it can stand alone.[10] The main concern of people with phobias in the agoraphobic cluster is their ability to get help in case of emergency. This often makes them afraid of going out in public, being caught in crowds, being alone, or being stranded.[11]
Autophobia is not to be confused with agoraphobia (fear of being in public or being caught in crowds), self-hatred, or social anxiety, although it can be closely related to them.[12] It is a distinct phobia that tends to be accompanied or linked with other anxiety disorders, trauma syndromes, mental health issues or phobias.
- ^ Gould, Dr. George Milbry (1910). The Practitioner's Medical Dictionary (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: P. Blackiston's Son & Co. p. 101.
- ^ "Medical Definition of Fear of oneself". RxList. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
- ^ "Autophobia (fear of being alone): Definition, symptoms, and treatment". www.medicalnewstoday.com. 2020-08-13. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
- ^ "Autophobia (Fear of Being Alone): Causes & Treatment". Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- ^ Fordham, Beth; Sugavanam, Thavapriya; Edwards, Katherine; Hemming, Karla; Howick, Jeremy; Copsey, Bethan; Lee, Hopin; Kaidesoja, Milla; Kirtley, Shona (February 2021), "Summary tables of included systematic reviews grouped according to the conditions they targeted as per the ICD-11", Cognitive–behavioural therapy for a variety of conditions: an overview of systematic reviews and panoramic meta-analysis, NIHR Journals Library, retrieved 2023-06-16
- ^ Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- Fifth Edition (DSM-5) (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Association. May 18, 2013. p. 198. ISBN 978-88-6030-660-9.
- ^ "Autophobia (Fear of Being Alone): Causes & Treatment". Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
- ^ McCray, Alexa; Browne, Allen; Moore, Dorothy (November 9, 1988). "The Semantic Structure of Neo-Classical Compounds". Proc Annu Symp Comput Appl Med Care.: 165–168. PMC 2245192.
- ^ Holt, Emily (December 1, 2007). "Me, Myself and I". W Magazine. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
- ^ Lindsay (2022-05-31). "Fear of Being Alone | What Is Monophobia?". HVRC. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
- ^ "Fear of Being Alone". anxietycare.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2006-08-18. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
- ^ Barber, Chris (2018-11-02). "Loneliness and mental health". British Journal of Mental Health Nursing. 7 (5): 209–214. doi:10.12968/bjmh.2018.7.5.209. ISSN 2049-5919. S2CID 149894333.