Oneirogmophobia (A complete guide)

This article will give a brief idea of Oneirogmophobia. Then it will focus on the symptoms and causes of Oneirogmophobia. Then it will highlight Oneirogmophobia treatments both psychotherapies and medications.

What is Oneirogmophobia?

Oneirogmophobia refers to the fear of having wet dreams. Someone with Oneiromophobia may experience intense anxiety and even panic attacks when they are feeling this way. People suffering from oneirogmophobia may experience difficulty in sleeping and even avoid it. Oneirogmophobia comes from greek word Oneiro, which means dreams.

Oneirogmophobia refers to the fear of having wet dreams.

This fear creates anxiety and even panic attacks with a mere thought of sleeping or wet dreams.

People suffering from this find difficulty in sleeping and avoids it to the core. This leads to unwanted physical symptoms.

They try hard to avoid sleeping over their friends’ places and prefer sleeping alone in their own homes as well.

Although they try to avoid sleeping and almost always wake up with anxiety, they think that they are controlling their anxiety but that’s not the case. It is affecting more than it’s supposed to heal.

They isolate themselves thinking that they have some problem for which nobody has a cure but that’s not the case. Isolating oneself from the people leads to loneliness and symptoms of depression as well.

SYMPTOMS OF ONEIROGMOPHOBIA:

The main symptom of oneirogmophobia which can be derived from the word, phobia itself is intense anxiety and it depends on several factors like genetics, environmental factors and the severity of the condition.

Lack of self-esteem and lack of self-confidence have also been seen in these patients, some oneirogmophobia patients isolate themselves from people because they are ashamed of their problem. 

Some more common symptoms are-

• Anxiety or Panic attacks with a mere thought of wet dreams
• Breathlessness 
• Feelings of helplessness
• Sweating and Muscle Tension
• Nightmares
• Insomnia

CAUSES OF ONEIROGMOPHOBIA:

There is no certain cause that has been found so far for Oneirogmophobia, though, there are several factors that contribute to this condition.

One factor would be genetics, as a person who has a family history of anxiety disorders or phobias are more likely to develop Oneirogmophobia.

Another factor would be the environment in which the person had bad experiences while growing up.

Both factors are likely to play important roles in developing Oneirogmophobia.

Someone developing a fear of wet dreams can be because of childhood humiliation experienced by the individual. 

It can also be developed due to already suffering from a disorder like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), like obsession with the wet dreams that a person eventually develops Oneirogmophobia.

ONEIROGMOPHOBIA TREATMENTS:

There is no particular treatment that has been designed especially for Oneirogmophobia.

But some treatments which have been proved to be helpful in anxiety and phobias have been considered to be helpful with Oneirogmophobia as well and those are-

Psychotherapies:

• Talk Therapy-

Talk Therapy can be beneficial for someone suffering from an irrational fear of wet dreams as it can help the patient to let out all the fears he has in a constructive way and it eventually helps in developing new and more constructive thinking pattern

• Exposure Therapy:

It is one of the most common and effective therapy with patients suffering from anxiety and phobias. It works by having the therapist slowly expose the patient to which he fears by educating the subject of wet dreams in an attempt to desensitize him about it.

• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for Oneirogmophobia:

It is an 8-week evidence-based program that offers mindfulness training to help people suffering from anxiety, stress, depression, etc.

Mindfulness meditation can significantly help people suffering from oneirogmophobia, how it will help one in distracting himself from their fear by refocusing their attention on something else, like breathing.

This is the most basic and easiest way one can meditate and be in the present.

• CBT:

It is another common form of treatment that is used to help people suffering from GAD and OCD.

And it may also be effective in helping to treat conditions like Oneirogmophobia, it works by having the therapist help the patient to think why it is that they think, feel and behave, the way they do.

Psychiatric Medications:

• Anti-anxiety medications:

These medications are very helpful in preventing panic attacks and anxiety issues. It is very helpful when the condition is very severe.

Some common anti-anxiety medications are Xanax, Diazepam, Klonopin, etc.

These medications should be taken only in the supervision of a medical professional.

• Antidepressants:

These medications aren’t only for people who suffer from depression as they can also help people suffering from anxiety disorders such as Oneirogmophobia.

Some common antidepressants are Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro, etc.

These types of drugs are taken on a daily basis and can be helpful in preventing panic attacks and daily anxiety issues.

But always consider consulting a psychiatrist first before starting or stopping any medications.

CONCLUSION:
This blog gave a brief idea of Oneirogmophobia.

Then it focused on the symptoms and causes of Oneirogmophobia.

Then it highlighted Oneirogmophobia treatments both psychotherapies and medications.

Please feel free to comment below or leave a suggestion, we would appreciate it.

CITATIONS:

Psychtimes.com