What Is Euphobia? (A Summary)

In this blog we will summarize the causes, symptoms and the therapeutic interventions of Euphobia.

Euphobia is an irrational fear of good news. It is derived from the Greek word ‘eu’ meaning good and ‘phobos’ meaning fear.

People who suffer from Euphobia are actually disappointed when they do not receive good news, therefore the mind compensates by developing a phobia called Euphobia, where they actually are afraid of getting good news

Genetically also the person may be predisposed to fall victim to anxiety and panic attacks. It may also exist with other phobias, like the fear of being happy, dreading that something bad might happen.

Euphobia is a rare phobia and exists in many forms of depressive moods of the person, where there is the feeling of hopelessness.

It means that in actuality he is awaiting good news, but dreads that he might never, thus developing a fear of hearing good news: Euphobia.

Symptoms of Linonophobia

To avoid the experience of anxiety itself the individual may develop Linonophobia, so as to avoid the very cause of the uncomfortable condition.

Even the image of strings brings about the symptoms with an intensity that reels the sufferer.

Physical Symptoms

These are intense and can begin without any prior warning.

The person suffering from Euphobia experiences the full physical intensity of either all of these or some of these in combination with others.

hot flashes or chills
headaches
sweating
trembling
shortness of breath a choking sensation
rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
nausea
dizziness
feeling faint
numbness
dry mouth
ringing in ears
confusion
hyperventilation
raised blood pressure

The Psychological Symptoms

During panic attack the person suffering from Euphobia may experience the following

Dreading a good news
fear of fainting upon hearing a good news
feelings of dread
fear of dying
huilt
shame
fear of losing control
fear of harm
fear of illness
self-blame
withdrawn
feeling Of hopelessness
feeling of disconnect
confusion
lack of concentration
anger
irritability
mood swings

Causes of Euphobia

As with most phobias and anxieties, there is no clear consensus about what causes Euphobia The most common explanation is a childhood traumatic episode where a child may have experienced an accident that occurred with strings.

There are plenty of people with Euphobia who cannot even recall the traumatic incident that would have developed this fear, but they do not forget that a trauma or a negative event followed the delivery of a good news.

Therefore, the sufferer now relates psychological or physical pain to the receiving of happiness.

Scientists believe that a combination of genetic tendencies, brain chemistry, and other biological and environmental factors could cause such fears to develop.

Other causes can be as follow:

• Learned behavior

• Traumatic experiences

Etiological Models of Euphobia

1. Biological (Genetic) Model

Genetics also determines how a person reacts and feels. Therefore, people inherit fears and phobias as well from their families.

The brain cells (neurons) release certain chemicals called neurotransmitters.

Serotonin and Dopamine are two neurotransmitters that in depleted states can cause anxiety like symptoms.

2. Psychodiagnostics Model

If a person has suffered from a traumatic experience in early childhood it can have a severe dire impact on his later life.

A childhood traumatic experience could be where children experienced a negative impact of events due to a change in their life.

This may leave a long lasting impression. Therefore to avoid this anxiety they start fearing and evading what they fear.

The intensity is more because they know that death cannot be avoided, only the thought of it can be.

3. Behavioral Model

According to this model, irrational fears may be caused through behaviors that are learned by replication.

Children often replicate unique behaviors of their adults, parents or a favorite aunt or uncle.

If a family member is already suffering from anxiety or is scared of one or another thing, then chances are higher that only by observing this, the child may develop fears.

Treatments ofEuphobia

Euphobia can be treated through different treatments.

These include Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Neuro Linguistic Program (NLP), Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction MBSR) and forms of meditation.

1) Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

In CBT the therapist helps the client to amend his thoughts so that a desirable behavior can be achieved.

This therapy is effective, because if the thoughts or cognitions alter then there will be a lasting impact on behavior.

The therapist helps the client to discover the reason for this thought, his behavior in regards to changes in life.

This therapy is goal oriented and short termed. Therefore, the results are seen soon. It changes the way a person thinks and feels.

CBT does not focus on probing the past to resolve current problems, rather it concentrates on the present situation.

Our thoughts determine how we act or react to certain stimuli and situations.

Therefore, negative thoughts bring about a negative behavior response or an undesirable behavior.

Whereas, positive thoughts propagate desirable and healthy attitude and response.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is a form of CBT and designed by Albert Ellis.

According to Ellis, “people are not disturbed by things but rather by their view of things.” This is what subjective perspective is.

2) Neuro Linguistic Program (NLP)

In this therapy the client is asked to

Access the phobia in a safe environment.
Help them to replay the phobia along with happy emotions.
Disassociate from the phobia.

3) Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

MBSR involves being aware of one’s own thoughts, feelings and reducing the interference from around the environment.

We do not pay attention to how we process the various stimuli that affect us.

We do not process the way our bodies feel and respond, there is no focus on our thoughts and how these thoughts are influencing our emotions.

In MBSR, the client is ‘woken up’ to actually experience the various senses. ‘Focus’ is the keyword!

4) Meditation

For meditation to be effective during treatment, the mind is cleared off all the clutter of random thoughts.

The mind and body are made to be ‘in sync’ with each other, so that the feared stimulus does not invoke a negative thought.

The client will meditate during the thoughts of death and concentrate on his breathing patterns in the presence of the feared stimulus.

5) Self-Help Groups

Self Help groups are an effective type of therapy, in which the client does not find himself as a lone sufferer.

These groups are individuals who are afflicted with the same types of phobias.

They come together to share their thoughts, experiences and their coping strategies. This also helps in developing a ‘sense of I am not the only one’ suffering.

6) Changing Lifestyle

Breaking down the dullness of the daily, helps break down anxiety as well.

• Take up jogging or go for daily walks:

Developing a walk routine can damper the way our negative thoughts control our behavior.

• Indulging in an exercise regime:

Vigorous exercise like aerobics has proved to reduce or alleviate the symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Exercise helps the mind to cope with stress and stressful situations better.

This is what the American Psychological Association has to say about inducting exercise to eliminate stress or phobias.

• Altering eating and drinking habits:

Cutting down on fatty foods and caffeine can improve self-image, that in turn leads to a raised self-esteem.

This finally diminishes the symptoms of stress to a bare minimum. With high intake of caffeine, the body resembles a ‘fight or flight’ response, thus giving way to anxiety.

• Improving the sleep cycle:

When we get proper rest, our concentration improves.

8) Psychiatric Medication

There are a number of medicines that the Psychiatrist can prescribe if the symptoms of Euphobia are severe.

Anxiolytics (anti-anxiety drugs)

These should only be taken after the consultation with the doctor and shouldn’t be initiated or discontinued as per personal discretion.

Antidepressants

These medicines are not only used to treat depression, but also to alleviate the symptoms of Euphobia as well as other phobias.

Medicines alone might not be as effective, but if used in conjunction with therapies then the results will be better.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a fear of happy news called?

Fear of happy news is called Euphobia

Why are people afraid of good news?

People are afraid good news is quite rare, but they can develop Euphobia if a trauma occurred exactly after a good news was received then the person can couple the two.