How to Overcome Dystychiphobia? (3+ Backed Solutions)

Dystychiphobia is an excessive fear of accidents.

People suffering from this condition can suppose to experience a very high amount of anxiety from simply thinking about the accidents.

The word dystychiphobia originated from Greek words dys means ‘bad’, tych means ‘accident’ and phobia means ‘fear’. 

If someone is obsessed with the idea that his/her actions will either cause an accident and if that happens, they feel powerless to prevent a potentially depressing final outcome. In this article we will discuss Dystychiphobia. 

After an accident, it’s normal to experience a bit nervous the next time someone gets in a car or any vehicle.

People can’t help but feel about that collapse.

They hope that it will not happen again.

And may feel mostly nervous if they make it through the same area where the accident took place and they may not be able to drive again.

This irrational fear might show up with anyone who has gotten into a major derailment or accident.

 It just gets into your brain, and you cannot shake it. It is most common if an important person to you passes away.

This is an unbelievably traumatic experience.

The sense of loss is intense.

You may also have to deal with survivor’s remorse, or you may at least really realize how close you came to losing your own life.

You start to live in a constant fear unless you stay at home all of the time. 

Although someone with this state may keenly avoid their phobia in an effort to help them lessen their chances of feeling any instant anxiety, doing so may also deteriorate their symptoms of dystychiphobia in the long term due to the fact that they would also be justifying their phobia to themselves by vigorously avoiding it. 

It doesn’t mean you have dystychiphobia just because you fear getting into a car accident when driving in terrible weather, have a fear that a plane experiencing too much turbulence will fall, or simply are afraid of slipping on a wet floor.

People who experience ruthless forms of this phobia possess a constant fear that can reduce their ability to wholly live their lives.

Like all phobias, dystychiphobia varies usually from one person to another.

Some people are frightened only of industrial accidents; others are of transportation-related derailments.

Some feel only a mild case of anxiety, while others are nearly paralyzed by their fear.

Dystychiphobia and Daily Life:

Life is naturally risky, and the risk of accidents is always there.

Most people with mild dystychiphobia discover a balance of danger with which they are content.

One might stay away from jobs that you notice as risky, such as firefighting or working with heavy machinery.

Some may prefer to drive sooner than or after rush hour and stop for gas only during sunshine hours.

In a lot of cases, these slight changes to the everyday routine are sometimes enough to control the fear.

However, if the fear is more severe, they might locate themselves considerably restrictive in their daily life.

They might slowly start to avoid more and more activities for fear of injuries.

With the passage of time, it might become hard to function at home, school or work. In these situations, certified assistance is always recommended.

Sometimes, the people suffering from Dystychiphobia, try to avoid not only the accurate objects like accidents or situations that activate it but sometimes in severe cases the thought of those things all together.

Dystychiphobia and Panic Attack:

Panic attack is a state of severe terror and anxiety.

Panic attacks can be very uncomfortable for the key reason that they are felt on a physical level.

People experiencing panic attacks usually feel a beating heart, palpitations or accelerated heart rate.

A dystychiphobic episode is essentially a type of panic attack, and likely to include at least some of the following symptoms:

  • Dizziness 
  • Nausea
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Heart palpitations
  • Dry mouth 
  • Uncontrollable shaking
  • Feelings of unsteadiness
  • Excessive sweating
  • Fainting
  • Sense of dead / impending doom  

Anyone experiencing such symptoms should not be riding a motor vehicle or operating other type of heavy machinery, or doing something slightly hazardous or capable of testing a person’s stability.

Dystychiphobia can quickly turn into a self-fulfilling insight, and for the protection of one and all including themselves.

Dystychiphobiacs really have no choice but to stay away from the places and behaviors that activate their deepest anxiety responses. 

There have been a lot of situations in which a person has developed a phobia from accidents where they happen to be fearful of identifying anxiety itself because it would make them feel extremely painful the minute they are in touch with any of those.

A person doesn’t essentially should be in circumstances exposed to accidents to experience dystychiphobia.

The brain doesn’t have to be in those circumstances to experience the symptoms of fear.

A person’s brain is competent in creating a response to frightening situations even when the subject matter is not in fact in that situation.

Symptoms of Dystychiphobia:

Phobias are to be taken acutely. If they aren’t given appropriate consideration and treatment, they might start to bound the sufferer’s life.

Knowing how to deal with feelings and anxiety will not only help a person live or conquer the fear of accidents.

But also managing to live will have all phobias in common.

People who suffer from fear of accidents, at most of the times are intentionally avoiding approaching to get in touch with what it is that triggers them to understand fear or anxiety in the first place.

This might seem like a good rapid fix but reality is as, if not completely implicit what you are experiencing might start hurting or restrict your life in the long run.

People are different from each other and so the phobias are.

So the symptoms also vary strongly on the severity in which the person is identifying these fears but in general words, accurate phobias and fears such as dystychiphobia comes under the type of anxiety disorders.

Meaning that an individual can experience any if not all of the below mentioned physical or psychological symptoms.

Physical Symptoms:

The symptoms most of the time happen suddenly and with no any recent signs or warnings.

No matter how irresistible thoughts of anxiety, a panic attack can cause real physical symptoms, such as but not restricted to the ones below:

  • excessively avoiding accidents
  • muscle tension
  • sweating
  • shakiness
  • hot flashes or chills
  • shortness of breath 
  • a choking sensation
  • fast heartbeat 
  • pain or tightness in the chest
  • a sensation in the stomach
  • nausea
  • sickness
  • headaches 
  •  dizziness
  • feeling faint
  • numbness or pins and needles
  • dry mouth
  • a need to go to the toilet
  • buzzing in your ears
  • uncertainty 
  •  disorientation
  • hyperventilation
  • tightness in the chest/chest pain and difficulty breathing
  • rise in blood pressure

Psychological Symptoms:

In some severe situations, a person suffering from a panic attack that triggered from dystychiphobia.

Generally when showing to its triggers such as accidents a person can have one/or all of the symptoms mentioned below:

  • fear of losing control
  • fear of fainting
  • low self-esteem
  • feelings of dread
  • fear of dying
  • less confidence
  • fear of harm 
  • fear of illness
  • inability to speak
  • self-blame
  • withdrawing from others
  • feeling sad 
  • hopeless
  • feeling disconnected
  • confusion
  •  difficulty concentrating
  • anger, irritability
  •  mood swings
  • anxiety and fear

In some very particular situations, there may be people realizing entangled phobias.

Or you can call complex phobias.

These can often have a damaging effect on an individual’s everyday life and psychological well being because they may bind someone’s life so much that they become unable to live a normal private and social life. 

Causes of Dystychiphobia:

There are no ultimate causes of dystychiphobia.

Yet, genetics and one’s environment might both play very important roles in the development of this phobia.

For example, if someone has a family history of psychological illness, especially of anxiety disorders or specific phobias, then they may have a higher possibility of having dystychiphobia.

In general, this might be due to them then having a genetic tendency to developing psychological illness.

If someone has such genetics, then it may only need that they experience some kind of traumatic event to develop dystychiphobia.

Even though there are no accurate causes of dystychiphobia, the consensus among most mental health professionals is that both genetics and environmental factors play important roles in the progress of any given psychological disorder. 

Treatment of Dystychiphobia:

People who are suffering from Dystychiphobia don’t always feel the need of treatment because they can just avoid the object of the fear.

This gives them a feeling of control on the problem. But sometimes avoiding accidents may not be possible or sufficient.

Talking Therapy: 

Talking therapies usually include counseling, and might be very effective at treating dystychiphobia. This therapy helps you:

  • to resolve complex feelings
  • to  make sense of things 
  • to understand yourself better
  • to give a safe time and place to talk to someone who won’t judge you

Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis is used to make subconscious change.

Psychotherapy

Usual talking sessions are held with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or any psychological health practitioner.

The most common method is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

CBT aims to classify if they are the correct representation of reality and if they are not, use strategies to challenge and conquer them.

If someone experiences dystychiphobia, by the help of CBT you could identify if the fear and anxiety experienced from gaining weight is an accurate depiction of reality and if not working on ways to change that.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming

It is a kind of psychotherapy that examines the neurological processes, verbal communication, and behavior patterns that are cultured all the way through experience.

Self-help with Dystychiphobia:

One of the best ways to triumph over any difficulty is to take good care of oneself.

Being able to know how to assist yourself is very important not just to be capable of controlling your fear of accidents, but also other phobias and anxieties before they get more ruthless.

FAQs About Dystychiphobia

How can I get over my fear of car accidents?

      There are things you can do to cope with your feelings after an accident.

– Talk to friends, relatives, or a counselor. Go over the details of the accident. 

– Stay active. Exercise often. 

– Follow up with your family doctor.

– Try to get back to daily activities and routines.

– Learn to be a defensive driver

How can I improve my driving confidence?

– Remember, confidence comes with time

– Practice, practice, practice.

– Know your route

– Know where everything is in your car and how it works.

– Go out on your own. 

– Force yourself to drive somewhere new.

– Don’t worry about other drivers. 

– Stick to the speed limit.

How can I calm my anxiety?

Try these when you’re feeling anxious or stressed:

– Take a time-out. 

– Eat well-balanced meals. 

– Limit alcohol and caffeine, which can aggravate anxiety and trigger panic attacks.

– Get enough sleep. 

– Exercise daily to help you feel good and maintain your health.

– Take deep breaths. 

– Count to 10 slowly

– Do your best.

How long does it take to become a good driver?

According to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), it takes most people 45 hours of lessons to learn how to drive, plus 22 hours of practicing.

Intensive courses could help you discard your L-plates after just 10 hours of instruction – but that’s the exception, not the rule.

References:

common-phobias.com/Dystychi/phobia.htm

addiction.com/blogs/fear-of-accidents/

fearof.org/dystychiphobia/

verywellmind.com/fear-of-accidents-2671778

psychtimes.com/dystychiphobia-fear-of-accidents/

amonilaw.com/blog/2019/12/dystychiphobia-is-the-fear-of-accidents/

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