How to Overcome a Phobia of Hair
The fear of hair is a phobia, a psychological condition which causes real and intense feelings of anxiety and stress. Chaetophobia is a type of phobia which occurs when someone experiences extreme panic attacks when he or she sees a person’s hair.
People with chaetophobia will try to avoid all contact with hair. This may include avoiding barber shops, salons, or other places where people get their hair done. They also may avoid touching other people’s hair or animals with hair.
Chaetophobia is a rare phobia, which affects less than one percent of the population. It is treated by psychotherapy and medication.
If you suffer from a phobia of hair, you should talk to your doctor or a professional therapist. These professionals are experienced in helping people with chaetophobia.
One common treatment for chaetophobia is exposure therapy. A therapist will gradually expose the patient to his or her fear, such as by showing him or her photos of people with hair. This helps the patient to learn to tolerate the fear, and eventually allows him or her to face the feared object.
Another common type of treatment for chaetophobia is hypnosis. Hypnosis helps people with chaetophobia overcome the phobia by exposing them to different thoughts and feelings that relate to the phobia.
Medications, such as benzodiazepines, may help relieve physical symptoms. However, long-term use of these drugs is not permitted. Some people find that these medications make them shaky and increase their blood pressure.
