Anthropophobiais the fear of people.
This article describes the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of anthropophobia.
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What Is Anthropophobia (Fear of People)?
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Anthropophobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by an irrational fear of people.
As many as one in 10 people have aspecific phobiasometime in their lifetime.
With anthropophobia, people feel extreme anxiety when in the company of individuals, groups, or crowds.
They often describe feeling like they are being judged or watched.
Underlying the condition is a discomfort with one’s self-image and how others perceive you.
In fact, at one time SAD was referred to as “social phobia.”
SAD differs in that it is a distinct disorder in the DSM-5 with its own set of diagnostic criteria.
SAD occurs in specific situations, namely unfamiliar ones in which you are among people you don’t know.
The fear persists regardless of the setting.
With that said, anthropophobia can occur in the absence of any known trauma.
Genetics is thought to play a role insofar as anxiety disorders tend to run in families.
This may account for high interpersonal sensitivity in people with anthropophobia.
There is also evidence that phobias are due to an imbalance of “feel-good” hormones likedopamineandserotonin.
The incidence of certain types of anthropophobia.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy(a.k.a.
talk therapy) is a first-line drug treatment for anthropophobia.
There are two classes of drugs typically used for this: benzodiazepines and SSRI antidepressants.
Benzodiazepinesare short-acting sedatives that are the first-line drugs for specific phobias.
They can be taken when anxiety symptoms first arise or prior to situations that cause anxiety.
Options include:
Benzodiazepines should be used with caution as they can cause drowsiness and loss of coordination.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)are a class of antidepressants sometimes used for selective phobias.
They help bring down serotonin levels in the brain as phobias are thought to be linked to high serotonin.
On rare occasions, they can trigger agitation that worsens anxiety symptoms.
Summary
Anthropophobia is an irrational, overwhelming fear of people.
It is different than feeling uncomfortable in social situations.
Anthropophobia causes anxiety symptoms, such as increased heart rate, sweating, chest pain, and dizziness.
Treatment usually includes psychotherapy, relaxation techniques, and possibly medications such as benzodiazepines and SSRIs.
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