Why does trypophobia cause fear, and is there a way to stop it? - #14619
I recently discovered that I might have trypophobia, and I had no idea it was an actual thing until now. Every time I see clusters of tiny holes, like honeycombs or lotus seed pods, I feel extremely uncomfortable and even get shivers. It’s not exactly fear, but more like a strong feeling of disgust. What exactly causes trypophobia? Is it a real phobia, or is it just a natural reaction to certain patterns? I read that some people think it’s linked to evolutionary instincts, but does that mean everyone has it to some degree? Also, how do people with trypophobia deal with it? Is there any way to stop the reaction, or is it something that never really goes away? I saw some people say exposure therapy helps, but I don’t think I want to keep looking at images that trigger me. If anyone has trypophobia, how bad is it for you, and do you have any techniques to manage it? Does avoiding triggers work, or does it make the fear worse over time?
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