Cockroach Phobia (Blatophobia): What It Is, Causes And Symptoms.

Blatophobia is the morbid and irrational fear of cockroaches, where people find them to be disgusting and creepy, cockroach phobia is a fear to the extreme. For many people, this phobia stems from obsessive compulsive disorder , which causes constant fear that a cockroach could appear at any moment.

This condition and the methods of coping with the affected use can affect their lives, you can use preventive measures, such as avoiding basements, dark places and making sure that the sheets and curtains do not touch the floor.

Symptoms of cockroach phobia

Fear of cockroaches often leads to obsessive compulsive disorder , due to the phobic trying to thoroughly clean his house to make sure these critters stay outside, constantly spraying insecticides in the house and in the car, sweeping carpets, cleaning kitchens and toilets, etc., to deter cockroaches are some signs of blatophobia

Additionally, the phobic may experience the following physical symptoms upon seeing a cockroach:

• Freeze or freeze.
• Cry and scream.
• Feeling dizzy and weak
• Fainting. (Required item)
• Have an elevated heart rate.
• Fast breathing.
• Short of breath.
• Excessive sweating
• Nausea.
• Dry mouth.
• Confusion. (Required item)
• Lack of concentration.
• Irritability. (Required item)
• Feelings of helplessness.
• Fear or feelings of loss of control (Required item)
• Avoidance behavior.
• Headaches.

Having a full-blown panic attack can feel like you’re being strangled, or experience chest pains, among others. Blatophobia can sometimes get out of control or be completely dangerous when the person runs or throws himself on the road into traffic or tries to remove the cockroach when driving, among other things, which can lead to serious accidents.

Causes of cockroach phobia

Causes vary by individual, as phobias are caused by traumatic events, which most often occur during childhood, may have been bitten or scratched by a cockroach, or simply crawling on the body is another likely explanation for it. cause trauma by being very unpleasant.

They are known to inhabit dark, warm places that are abundant with food. Often, at night or in the absence of lights, they accidentally drag or rub our skin, this can cause deep fear or disgust, such disgust is usually evolutionary; Our prehistoric ancestors were programmed to be on the alert for these creepy crawlers when they slept in caves and outdoors.

Many times the individual could have had a negative or traumatic experience with cockroaches, the children could have been punished or locked in closets or dark spaces where such creatures tend to hide. Such children have a greater chance of developing a phobia of cockroaches, adults who express incredible fear can also transmit their fear to children who observe them without knowing it.

Most childhood cases resolve over time, but in some cases, it can persist into adulthood.

How do you know if you fear cockroaches?

While some want to stay away from insects because they are disgusted by them, many people around the world have an abnormal fear of cockroaches. Are you aware that these insects are not as threatening as they seem in your mind? Do you feel anxious when you are in the same room as one? If so, you are likely among the many who suffer from blatophobia.

Treatment for cockroach phobia

Treatments also vary from person to person, what works best for one person may not work at all for another. However, there are some more common treatments for phobias .

Therapy is always a great first-step option, several types allow both the individual and the psychologist to better understand the root of the fear of cockroaches, making it much easier to treat. Other therapies can change the way a person reacts to the feared object or animal, cognitive behavioral therapy , for example, is intended for this purpose, it helps to alleviate fear by changing the way a person thinks about cockroaches. The shock therapy or exposure is also useful because desensitizes the person against cockroaches.

The medication is also useful for those experiencing anxiety extreme situations where cockroaches are or may be present. Specially designed anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants work for this purpose, these are also helpful during panic attacks . For the few who have allergies to cockroaches, allergy medications can also help control it, the slightest danger can also cause the fear to go away.

Neuro-linguistic programming seeks to find the root of fear, as mentioned above, the reasons can be very different, but if we examine the origin of the trauma, we can change the irrational fear through the use of relaxation and a calm situation. For this we use psychotherapy, personal development and communication that modifies the behaviors or abilities of the individual.

Virtual reality therapy has recently become more relevant in our society, thanks to the speed at which it is developing, this is not only for leisure reasons: it can also be used to treat phobias and other mental illnesses. It is similar to exposure therapy where the patient gradually faces their fear with the help of a therapist, however they feel more secure as they know it is virtual.

Interesting Facts About Cockroaches

• There are more than 3,500 species of cockroaches.
• They measure between 3-7.5 cm, the exception to this is a megaloblatta longipennis that reached 9.7 cm.
• The first fossils date from the Carboniferous Period (354-295 million years ago), since then they have changed very little.
• 99% of cockroach species are not pests, nor do they live in houses, most live in nature (in leaves, trees and garbage), people are exposed to only 1% of cockroaches.
• In some eastern and oceanic countries, children keep cockroaches as pets.
• In the US, 40% of phobias stem from fear of mistakes. Cockroaches are the most feared, along with other insects such as spiders, moths, grasshoppers, and scorpions.
• Cockroaches can survive up to 15 times longer radiation than humans.
• They can survive without a head for several weeks until they starve to death.
• Singer Liam Payne of the group One Direction has a phobia of cockroaches. Are you someone who can’t stand being around a cockroach? Tell us about your experience!