Chemophobia is caused by a genetic predisposition (family history) and or environmental factors (past traumatic experiences). by Edited by Naomi M. Simon, M.D., et al. They are most commonly used with patients who experience panic attacks and also lowers their anxiety by binding to receptor cells of the brain that cause these unpleasant symptoms. Q4) Which  household chemicals are harmful? “You won’t believe this, but I was just on the phone with a customer who was crying because he couldn’t assemble his bed frame.”. However, these drugs/medicines are not to be taken without a doctor’s prescription or consultation. Someone who has a family history of anxiety disorders has a higher chance of developing Chemophobia. These alterations are low dopamine levels and high serotonin levels. Showing that you’re happy is bad for you or for your friends and family. However, these steps desensitize one to their fear of chemicals, by exposing them to that stimuli repeatedly, until they learn to undergo the situation without anxiety/panic attacks. Fear of chemicals is called Chemophobia. July 12, 2020 by Juanita Agboola, • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This genetic tendency to develop a specific phobia is further explained by the Diathesis-stress relationship. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Maybe because they were very badly scolded by their teacher and felt humiliated and or suffered from a health condition/injury due to it. Perfectionists are another personality type that may be associated with cherophobia. Many documentaries or TV shows have been made on how chemicals are damaging the earth or human’s health, watching these can also induce fear. If cherophobia is affecting quality of life, seeking treatment with a doctor can often help. Someone who has cherophobia isn’t necessarily a sad person, but instead is one that avoids activities that could lead to happiness or joy. First, the therapist collects the patients’ history of different fears. The book talks about pesticides causing pollution. Individuals are allowed to make wise, rational decisions and take immediate action, rather than being captured by emotionally destructive thoughts that might make the situation worse. The term comes from the Greek word “chero,” which means “to rejoice.” When a person experiences cherophobia, they’re often afraid to participate in activities that many would characterize as fun, or of being happy. They need to be taken on a daily basis but not without a doctor’s advice. Is Twirling Your Hair as a Habit a Symptom of an Underlying Condition? Head for the hills if a psychiatrist ever discourages you from being invested in your own treatment. It is one of the most frequently used treatments for patients with almost all kinds of mental disorders. Ammonia, bleach, Antifreeze, air fresheners are some of the harmful household chemicals. Chemophobia, an excessive fear of chemicals. As a result, they may fear activities related to happiness because they believe they can ward off something bad from happening. Last updated on In the case of Chemophobia, the patient will be advised on how to overcome his fear of chemicals. Another reason can be if someone lost a loved one or heard of a chemical hazard that took away lives of many people. In mindfulness meditation the person is told to, for example, focus on the sensations felt while breathing or the rhythm of the chest rising and falling during the process. Trichophilia is when someone is sexually aroused by hair, typically human head hair. It is one of the most frequently used ways of treating patients with Chemophobia (or any other kind of specific phobia). Chemophobia is defined as the irrational fear of chemicals. Two types of drugs are used in the treatment of this phobia: These drugs, as the name suggests don’t only treat depression but are also very effective in treating phobias. We champion the narrative of being proactive about looking after the mind.