If this is your first time being introduced to megalophobia, we’ll walk you through exactly what it is. Verywell Mind explains that it’s the “fear of large objects and can cause intense fear and anxiety.” Some common triggers include airplanes, blimps, large buildings, buses, construction equipment, elephants, enormous trees, hills and mountains, bodies of water, ships, sculptures, trains, and whales.
When this phobia is triggered, the symptoms often include dizziness or lightheadedness, increased heart rate, nausea, shortness of breath, and a strong urge to flee the situation. People with megalophobia will also often avoid situations where they might be faced with extremely large objects.
There’s no one way to pinpoint exactly where this phobia comes from, but sometimes it occurs when normal fears become exaggerated. For example, many people feel uncomfortable around large objects. But once this fear spirals out of control and starts causing anxiety, that’s when it becomes a problem.
Megalophobia might also be triggered when a person sees something that is much larger than the size it’s supposed to be. This might include a sculpture of a person from history that’s ten times the size of the real person or a statue of an animal that’s much larger than the real creature. Media and legends can contribute to this phobia as well, as stories can lead us to believe that certain objects are much more dangerous than they actually are in real life.
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As for treatment that can be used to manage megalophobia, Verywell Mind notes that cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapies are the most likely to be effective. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help a person shift their perspective and develop better coping skills to deal with triggers. Meanwhile, exposure therapy can help a person understand over time that their triggers won’t actually hurt them and that there’s really nothing to be afraid of.
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It’s difficult to say exactly how common this specific phobia is, but the Cleveland Clinic reports that approximately 7-10% of the population has a specific phobia. So it’s likely that only a very small percentage of the total population struggles with megalophobia.
If you’re wondering if you might meet the criteria for megalophobia, a mental health professional can diagnose you if you meet at least four criteria. These include an intense and unreasonable fear, anticipatory anxiety, avoidance, and the phobia interfering with your day-to-day activities.
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While not everyone will be able to cure their megalophobia completely, the Cleveland Clinic does recommend some lifestyle changes that might help you manage symptoms. First, make sure you’re getting enough sleep and exercise. It’s also wise to see a therapist regularly and practice mindfulness.
You may also want to practice relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises and yoga. Meanwhile, reach out to loved ones for support, and consider joining a support group for those who struggle with specific phobias.
When it comes to having specific phobias in general, the Mayo Clinic notes that many people develop them after having a bad experience. Perhaps you almost drowned as a child, and now you have a fear of deep water.
But there may also be a link between specific phobias and the anxiety of your parents. These could be caused by a mix of genetics and learned behaviors. And finally, it might come down to your brain chemistry. Phobias trigger certain parts of the brain, so people who don’t have them might simply not have the same brain structure as others.
