Pistantrophobia: characteristics of fear of trusting others

Pistantrophobia is a phobic disorder associated with the fear of trusting other people.

Pistanthrophobia is the fear of trusting others..

In general, people with pistanthrophobia may have suffered a painful episode in their life that leads them to think that trusting others can be dangerous, disappointing or risky.

Characteristics of pistanthrophobia

One of the situations after which with more frequency it can appear is a sentimental breakup.. However, situations where the confidence has been betrayed in the work environment, with friends or at family level, can also influence.

This does not mean that the person does not want contact or bonding, sometimes quite the opposite. However, fears and distorted or magnified thoughts make him/her withdraw and not be able to trust or open up to others, generating a complicated situation that creates difficulties and discomfort.This creates a situation that is difficult to manage and creates difficulties and discomfort. In general, some of the following signs may lead us to think of pistanthrophobia:

• Fear of close or intense relationships, foreseeing that it will result in betrayal or disappointment.
• Maintaining superficial relationships to avoid becoming emotionally involved.
• Avoidance of situations where the level of relationship may be high or reach commitment.
• Relationship styles of avoidance, remaining closed or distant.
• Taking care that others are not fully aware of their personality, as a way of protecting themselves.

Feeling fear or reticence is an evolutionary and desirable mechanism, as it allows us to anticipate dangers, discern compromising situations and seek help. However, when that fear is not real or is not proportional to the real situation, we can begin to develop a problem that, if not treated, can lead to severe phobia, avoidance of people and/or situations and significant discomfort.avoidance of people and/or situations and significant discomfort. At the same time, the search for support and the feeling of belonging are basic needs in people and that is why, sometimes, these situations of isolation and distancing can generate problems in daily life.

Defensive pessimism

Another of the elements sometimes related to the subject we are dealing with is defensive pessimism. This type of defensive mechanism consists of thinking that things, especially those related to performance, will have a negative outcome or below expectations.

Although the person may have evidence against this thought, having optimistic data towards the result to be obtained, this position somehow protects him/her if the result does not meet the expectations and would surprise or please him/her if it were satisfactory. In this way, people with difficulties in trusting others may think that this person will disappoint them, betray them, keep hidden intentions, etc. From that perspective, if that were to happen, they would not be disappointed by the "fulfillment of what they knew" and, in the case of a satisfactory relationship, there would be surprise and pleasant feelings.

Although it may be positive in the short term, the long-term consequences may be mental exhaustion, anxiety and rumination.

What to do?

Pistantrophobia is a psychological disorder that can be treated through a process of psychotherapy, as is the case with anxiety disorders in general.

In the center Loratu we can help you to accept and work on any past relationship that may be contributing to the symptoms, reducing the emotional burden and working on the thoughts and ways of functioning that may have been developed and established. Working on confidence, both in oneself and in others, will help reduce stress and anxiety when relating to other people and will allow fears to diminish.

Bibliographical references:

• González, M. (2020). Are you afraid to trust others? You could suffer pistanthrophobia. Madrid: Revista Bienestar.
• Flores-López, M.; Serrano-Ibáñez, E.R.; Maestre, C.R.; López-Martínez, A.E.; Ruiz-Párraga, G. T.; Esteve, R. (2019). Defensive pessimism, optimism, and adaptation to chronic pain. Behavioral Psychology, 27(2), 325-340.
• Ortiz, I. (2017). Pistantrophobia. The excessive fear of trusting people. PsicólogosOnline