Gerantophobia or Gerascophobia: the fear of getting older

Time passes for everyone, but some people have it worse.

We live in a world obsessed with the image of youth and beauty.. To a certain extent it is normal that no one wants to grow old, because as we get older, we lose our physical faculties and our state of health becomes more vulnerable.

For many, old age can be a complicated time, as it is not easy to assume that the best years of our lives may be behind us. But when there is an irrational fear of getting older, and that fear affects the person's well-being, then we speak of "Gerascophobia”.

Gerascophobia: what is it?

A phobia is an irrational fear that affects the quality of life of the person who suffers from it, and causes the individual to suffer extreme anxiety.and causes the individual to suffer extreme anxiety. Gerascophobia is the fear of aging. People with this disorder are horrified by the changes they suffer due to the passage of time. the passage of time. Some of the changes they fear may include: becoming dependent on others, loss of mobility, the possibility of being placed in a nursing home, changes in appearance, or gradual worsening of health status.

The term Gerascophobia is a combination of the Greek words γέρων - geron , meaning "old man," and φόβος - phobos , meaning "fear".

Causes of Gerascophobia

Gerascophobia begins to develop in the mid-thirties, when signs of age (such as wrinkles) begin to make an appearance. Being aware of these changes, the person suffering from this phobia begins to suffer from an anxiety disorder.

It seems that external factors, such as the images shown in the media or the cultural value of youth, are responsible for the irrational beliefs of patients. On the other hand, it is possible that some traumatic event in the past is the cause of the development of the disorder.. Finally, it is also possible to develop this condition because of the fear of being alone and helpless in the last years of life.

Symptoms of Gerascophobia

The symptoms of Gerascophobia do not differ from the symptoms that occur in other types of phobia. Since Gerascophobia is an anxiety disorder, its symptoms are usually irrational fear and anxiety.

The following is a list of a list of symptoms that can be provoked by thoughts about aging or seeing or having contact with older people.

• Sweating
• Tremors
• Drop in Blood pressure
• Tachycardia
• Shortness of breath
• Inability to speak
• Social withdrawal
• Nausea and dizziness
• Detachment from reality
• Chills
• Chest pain or tightness
• Dry mouth
• Confusion and disorientation
• Headache

Treatment of Gerascophobia

Although many people suffering from Gerascophobia may be aware of their irrational fear, they lack the ability to overcome this condition, lack the necessary ability to overcome this pathology.. In these cases it is recommended to turn to a health professional if it is not possible to overcome it alone.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, affective desensitization or neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) have proven to be very effective in overcoming phobic disorders. Although it is usual to go to the family doctor, it is advisable to go to an expert with experience in the treatment of phobias, since anxiety disorders and phobias should be treated with psychological therapy.