Pediophobia: fear of dolls (causes and symptoms)

A strange type of phobia that psychology tries to explain.

There are different types of phobias, and some of them can be really strange.. Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia or fear of the number 666, coulrophobia or fear of clowns or turophobia or fear of cheese, are some examples. Another phobia that can be strange is pediophobia or fear of dolls.

Dolls are adorable objects that remind us of childhood and innocence, but some people may suffer an irrational fear of these toys that represent the human figure although in smaller dimensions. In the cinema, some movies have based their stories around these objects, sometimes demonized or possessed in their scripts.

What is pediophobia

Pediophobia is the irrational fear of dolls, and not only of dolls with a diabolical image, but any of them.. In many cases, in addition, pediophobics may also feel a great fear of robots and mannequins. This phobia should not be confused with pedophobia which is the fear of children.

Sigmund Freud thought that this disorder had its origin in the fear that this object will come to life. However, to understand pediophobia, which is part of the phobic disorders, the behaviorist seems to be more effective, as phobias usually originate from classical conditioning.

A phobia similar to coulrophobia

Like clowns, dolls are associated with children and produce different sensations and emotions in us. We tend to associate them with fun and endearing moments; and dolls are ideal as a form of entertainment.

But despite this image we have of clowns and dolls, these figures are also associated with negative and unpleasant images, even causing real dread. Clowns and dolls are also figures of terror in the world of cinema, and have acted as murderers in some films. In the case of clowns, reality has surpassed fiction, and John Wayne Gacy, the gloomy case of the killer clown, who disguised himself to commit his crimes, is well known.

What causes a phobia

A phobia is an irrational fear towards some object, situation or activity, that is, towards a phobic stimulus. It is an anxiety disorder and can become very disabling. People with some type of phobia usually avoid the phobic stimulus because of the great discomfort it makes them feel.

Phobias usually develop due to a series of environmental factors, although some experts say that genetic predisposition is a determining factor. However, the hypothesis of environmental factors has more weight, and the cause of someone developing a phobic disorder is usually a traumatic experience around that stimulus. Generally, this precipitating event occurs in childhood, and the phobia appears by associative learning or classical conditioning.

Dolls can also provoke the phobia indirectly, since in some films they can represent evil, being possessed or murderers, but they can also be associated with voodoo and, therefore, with black magic or witchcraft.

And it is that many movies or science fiction novels have as protagonists diabolical dolls or evil for example, the Chucky movies, so some children are terrified by this evil image.

Symptoms of doll phobia

Individuals who suffer from this irrational fear of dolls feel great anxiety or discomfort when being near them, seeing them on television or imagining them.. Therefore, fear and panic together with anxiety are the main symptoms. In addition, like any type of phobia, the person suffering from this disorder avoids the feared stimulus, and performs behaviors to avoid exposure to the source of discomfort.

The symptoms of phobias are practically the same for all phobic disorders, and are as follows:

• Dry mouth
• Loss of concentration and disorientation
• Excessive sweating
• Dread and intense fear
• Sensation of shortness of breath and hyperventilation
• Catastrophic thinking
• Anxiety and anguish
• Increased Heart rate and rapid pulse rate
• Intestinal discomfort
• Muscle tension
• Avoidance behaviors of the feared stimulus

Treatment of this disorder

Since this disorder can become disabling and cause an intense feeling of discomfort, it is necessary to turn to a psychology professional in order to overcome it.. Generally, the psychologist will carry out a treatment that includes cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, such as systematic desensitization or expository techniques; however, some professionals also make use of mindfulness or hypnotherapy.

Systematic desensitization is undoubtedly the most popular technique for overcoming fear of dolls or pediophobia. This technique consists of slow and gradual exposure to the feared stimulus and fosters more useful coping skills in the patient. For example, the patient may begin by looking at pictures of dolls and dolls, reading books or watching movies about these toys. Once they are able to control this fear in these situations, they can expose themselves to the actual feared stimulus. In severe cases, treatment may include drugs for anxiety, but never as an alternative to psychological therapy.

Some apps to treat phobias

With the inclusion of new technologies in our lives, they not only have a recreational use, but can also be used for clinical or psychotherapeutic purposes. can be used for clinical or psychotherapeutic purposes.. In recent years, different apps have appeared to help overcome phobias.

If you suffer from any type of phobia, our article: "8 apps to treat phobias and fears from your smartphone" may be of interest to you". So take a look at it if you wish.