Fear of dwarfs – Achondroplasiaphobia is the fear of small people or dwarfs. It is also called Nanosophobia or Lollypopguildophobia. The word achondroplasiaphobia is derived from the medical term achondroplasia, a skeletal disorder of the cartilage that forms during the fetal stage. This condition leads to dwarfism.
The fear of dwarves can be debilitating, as a person may refuse to go to circuses, casinos, fairs, or shopping centers where the dwarves are likely to be present or perform. In one of the most extreme cases, a pregnant woman encountered a terrifying dwarf during her pregnancy, believing that her unborn child would also be a dwarf. This led to her having repeated nightmares about it and an eventual miscarriage.
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Causes of achondroplasiaphobia
The fear of dwarves usually originates in a negative traumatic experience with the dwarves in the individual’s childhood. For many children, the fear of dwarves begins with an encounter with a janitor/midget worker at the school/daycare who has misbehaved with the child.
Dwarfs also appear abnormal due to their large, hunchbacked faces or irregular bodies. The fear of dwarves can be evolutionary. Humanity is known to fear anything extraordinary or “normal outside limits.”
Many adult individuals with achondroplasiaphobia believe dwarfs are from “other planets” or have extraterrestrial origins. The concept of ‘little green men,’ a term commonly used for Martians, could also have been derived from dwarves or used interchangeably with each other.
Achondroplasiaphobia can often be related to other disorders such as ADHD, nervous disorder, or anxiety disorders.
In the popular Disney classic Snow White and Seven Dwarfs, the dwarves are portrayed as friendly and positive characters. However, they live in the forests and work in the mines, probably because they have been marginalized by society—similarly, other media such as movies, books, etc. About dwarfs, especially those who portray these characters negatively, can lead to achondroplasiaphobia.
You may also be interested in reading: Fear Of Dolls: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments
Symptoms of fear of dwarves
There are many physical and psychological symptoms of achondroplasiaphobia.
- Many phobics tend to run away from dwarves. They have nightmares about the dwarves and often wake up screaming.
- Others may experience a panic attack that requires taking an anxiolytic to calm down. This includes symptoms such as rapid breathing, dry mouth, tremors, staying rooted in place, crying, screaming hysterically, etc.
- In some cases, the mere conversation or image of a dwarf can trigger a total anxiety attack.
- Phobics can do their best to avoid places where they are likely to meet small people.
- Like other specific phobias, achondroplasiaphobia can be debilitating and affect a person’s ability to function normally.
Overcome achondroplasia
Psychotherapy is one of the most effective ways to treat and overcome the fear of the dwarves. Talking about fear can help you rationalize it.
Educating yourself about dwarfs is essential for adults with phobic achondroplasia. Dwarves are not always wrong or harmful; these are stereotypical notions about them. They have a congenital disorder that has led to their condition.
Family members and friends should not laugh at the phobia but should play a supportive role and encourage phobics to have positive thoughts when experiencing an anxiety attack.
Medications and drugs can be taken to calm anxiety symptoms, primarily if the phobia affects daily life. But they should not be trusted, as they have side effects.
Gradual desensitization therapy is another method to overcome this fear. Includes slow exposure to dwarf phobia in the form of pictures, movies, etc. This can help you gradually accept them and finally be in their presence without experiencing an anxiety attack.
Hello, how are you? My name is Georgia Tarrant, and I am a clinical psychologist. In everyday life, professional obligations seem to predominate over our personal life. It's as if work takes up more and more of the time we'd love to devote to our love life, our family, or even a moment of leisure.