There are phobias of all kinds and types and they are directly present in today's society. Although there are some well-known and popular phobias such as claustrophobia or agoraphobia, there are others that are less known and very uncommon. as is the case with elaiphobia. It is an irrational fear of olives and is a type of phobia that can negatively affect the daily lives of those who suffer from it.
In the following article we talk in more detail about elaiphobia and of the impact it can have in people's lives.
What is elaiphobia?
Elaiphobia refers to an extreme fear of olives. This fear can also extend to olive oil. The person who suffers from this type of phobia will show certain physical and psychological symptoms in the presence of the olives themselves or simply by thinking about them. As is often the case with other phobias, the intensity of this fear can be mild or lead to major panic.
What are the causes of elaiphobia?
There are several reasons why a person may develop this type of phobia:
Traumatic experiences
Traumatic experiences are usually one of the most common causes of this type of phobia. An example of this would be suffering from poisoning due to eating olives.
conditioning
Conditioning is another cause of this type of phobia. If a person associates olives with a negative event, such as an unpleasant taste, conditioning occurs which leads to the development of said phobia.
Genetic factors
There are people who have a genetic predisposition to develop certain phobias. If there are people in the family who have suffered from various phobias, there is an increased risk of developing elaiphobia.
Symptoms of elaiphobia
Physical symptoms
- Palpitations or tachycardia
- sweating
- Stomach ache
- Tremors
- Difficulty breathing
Psychological symptoms
- Great anxiety that manifests itself in extreme fear
- Irrational thoughts about the dangers of olives
- Lost of control
How to treat elaiphobia
Elaiphobia is treatable thanks to to a series of therapies what we see below:
- cognitive behavioral therapy It is quite effective in treating this type of phobia. It consists of identifying and modifying those irrational thoughts produced by the olives.
- Another technique that is effective is that of gradual exposure to olives, starting with images or videos and ending with direct exposure.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy will focus on accepting negative thoughts and feelings related to the phobia.
- In the most serious cases, Antidepressants may be prescribed in order to help control the symptoms of anxiety.
- Hypnotherapy can be effective in dealing with extreme and irrational fear of olives. It is a technique that seeks to access the subconscious in order to overcome such a phobia.
What impact does elaiphobia have on daily life?
Elaiphobia can reach a significant impact in the life of the person suffering from such a disorder:
- Some social isolation by not attending events where olives might be present.
- can occur dietary restrictions, especially in those cultures where olives are part of the daily diet.
- The anxiety caused by this type of phobia can lead to high levels of stress.
- problems at work in the case that the person with the phobia is in a work environment where olives are present, such as a bar or restaurant.
In short, elaiphobia can be included Among those uncommon phobias, Although it can have a negative impact on the daily life of the person who suffers from it, it is important to understand this type of phobia and, from there, seek the best possible treatment.