Pediophobia: fear of dolls (causes and symptoms)

There are different types of phobias, and some of these can be really strange.. The hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia or fear of the number 666, the 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 towards these toys that represent the human figure although in smaller dimensions. In the cinema, some films 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 just dolls with an evil image, but any of them. In many cases, in addition, pediophobes can 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 I 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 phobic disorders, the behaviorist approach seems to be more effective, since phobias usually originate from

classical conditioning.

A phobia similar to coulrophobia

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

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

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 be very disabling. People with some type of phobia tend to avoid the phobic stimulus because of the great discomfort that it makes them feel.

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

The dolls can also cause the phobia indirectly, since in some movies they can represent evil, being possessed or being 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 diabolical or evil dolls as protagonists 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 around them, seeing them on television or imagining them. Therefore, fear and panic coupled with anxiety are the main symptoms. In addition, like any type of phobia, the person who suffers from this disorder avoids the feared stimulus, and performs behaviors so as not to have to expose himself to the source of discomfort.

The symptoms of phobias are practically the same for all phobic disorders, and they are the following:

• Dry mouth
• Loss of concentration and disorientation
• Excess sweating
• Terror and intense fear
• Feeling short of breath and hyperventilation
• catastrophic thinking
• Anxiety and anguish
• Increased heart rate and rapid pulse
• intestinal upset
• Muscle tension
• Behaviors to avoid the feared stimulus

Treatment of this disorder

Since this disorder can become disabling and cause an intense feeling of discomfort, It is necessary to go to a professional psychologist 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 the mindfulness or hypnotherapy.

Undoubtedly, systematic desensitization is the most popular technique to overcome 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 be exposed 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 also can be used for clinical or psychotherapeutic purposes. In recent years, different apps have appeared that help overcome phobias.

If you suffer from some type of phobia, our article: “8 apps to treat phobias and fears from your smartphone” it may interest you”. So check it out if you want.