Geranthophobia or Gerascophobia: the fear of getting old

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

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

Gerascophobia: what is it?

A phobia it's a irrational fear that affects the quality of life of the person who suffers it, and causes the individual to suffer extreme anxiety. Gerascophobia is the fear of aging. People with this disorder are horrified by the changes they undergo due to Over the years. Some changes that they fear may be: becoming dependent on others, loss of mobility, possibility of being taken to a residence, changes in your appearance or the gradual worsening of the state of Health.

The term 

Gerascophobia is a combination of the Greek words γέρων - geron, which means "old man" and φόβος - phobos, which means "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 a 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 the patients. On the other hand, it is possible that some traumatic event from the past is the cause of the development of the disorder. Finally, you can also develop this condition by the fear of being alone and defenseless 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.

Showing up next a list of symptoms They can be triggered by thoughts about aging or by seeing or having contact with older people.

• Sweating
• Tremors
• Drop in blood pressure
• Tachycardia
• Difficulty breathing
• Inability to speak
• Social isolation
• Nausea and dizziness
• Detachment from reality
• Shaking chills
• Chest pain or tightness
• Dry mouth
• Confusion and disorientation
• Headache

Treatment of Gerascophobia

Although many people who suffer from Gerascophobia may be aware of their irrational fear, lack the necessary capacity to overcome this pathology. In these cases it is recommended to go to a health professional if it is not possible to overcome it alone.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, affective desensitization, or neurolinguistic programming (NLP) They have been shown 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 therapy psychological.