Ablutophobia: what is it, how is it manifested and how is it treated?

Water treatments, bathing, showers, swimming pools are fun and relaxing. The overwhelming majority of people on the planet think so. There are also those who are terrified at the prospect of being in the water or simply getting wet. Ablutophobia is a fear of washing, swimming, contact with water.

The name of the mental disorder comes from the Latin ablutio, which means “washing”. The disorder refers to specific phobias and manifests itself in a constant, obsessive and inexplicable from the point of view of logic fear of bathing, washing, washing hands, washing and other hygiene procedures directly related to the use of water. Sometimes this form of fear is characterized by a fear of any toilets and bathrooms as places that are potentially dangerous for a phobia.

The Prussian ruler Frederick the Great suffered from this type of phobia. The monarch was so afraid of water that he could not bring himself to wash and take a bath. Therefore, a large staff of servants had to daily rub the sovereign's body with completely dry towels.

For example, at the beginning of the last century, doctors met pathological fear of participating in water hygiene procedures much more often, especially in European countries. For some, it was associated with upbringing, culture, religious beliefs.

Today, ablutophobia is more common in children than in adults; among adults, it is more common in women than in men.... There are many manifestations of this phobia - some are afraid only to wash their face, while others avoid washing the body, there are ablutophobes who are afraid only of bathing, and can wash their faces calmly.Fear always appears before the need for hygiene procedures arises. And here options are also possible - some are afraid only of a full bath, but they can bathe in the shower, while others - on the contrary.

Needless to say that the presence of such a phobia significantly complicates life. Insufficient personal hygiene increases the likelihood of dermatological diseases, and neglect and unpleasant odors that become noticeable to others are repulsive, and gradually a person remains in complete isolation.

In the overwhelming majority of cases, a person experiences the first fear of bathing or washing in childhood, and in its early period. They can call him careless actions of parents who bathe the child too rudely force him to bathe forcibly, without trying to interest him in the process itself with toys and persuasion.

The temperature of the water can be too low or too high, and the sudden ingress of water into the ears, eyes, nose, swallowing and inhaling water can be concomitant factors, based on which the first time a child experiences panic anxiety. After that, the concepts of "water" and "danger" for him exist only together as interconnected.

Sometimes the reason for fear lies not in the water itself and its effects, but in other fears that a person could experience during water procedures. Please note that when we wash, we always close our eyes. If at this moment the child is frightened by a loud sound, a cat suddenly jumping on the neck or something else, it is quite possible that it will develop incorrect emotional connection between washing and danger. Before washing, in this case, there will always be a bad feeling that something dangerous, terrible is ahead.

Sometimes children are intimidated by the washing machine during operation. For example, a car broke down and water flooded an apartment, neighbors, an electric shock from a washing machine, a kitten, a hamster, a puppy hitting the drum of a typewriter and his subsequent death. Children are very susceptible, they can bind water, washing, washing and mortal danger very quickly.

Watching thrillers and horror films can affect the psyche of a child or even a teenager. It is a fact - after the premiere of the film "Psycho", in which the attacks took place in the bathroom, a surge in the number of patients with ablutophobia was noted by psychiatrists all over the world.

It is not difficult to identify an ablutophobe. He diligently avoids what inspires him with fear - washing, washing, washing by hand, swimming in the pool, bath, shower. Fear in an ablutophobe is caused not only by contact with water itself, but even just the thought that it would not hurt to take a shower or wash. In severe cases, fear manifests itself as a panic attack.

A person has a strong anxiety, anxiety, he becomes irritable, anxiety invariably grows. He cannot get rid of the thought that there is danger ahead, while he perfectly understands on a rational level that washing does not carry any danger, but he cannot cope with his fear.

In severe cases, a person falls into a stupor or runs away, his heart rate rises, blood pressure surges, and his pupils dilate sharply. Nausea may come. Behavior becomes out of control.

Ablutophobia in children is clearly manifested. They can suddenly throw a tantrum before swimming, and the reasons for this tantrum are not obvious, parents cannot understand what made the child roll on the floor and scream heart-rendingly.

To exclude frequent attacks, the ablutophobe, who realizes that “something is wrong with him,” tries to stay away from danger.If the phobia manifests itself only in the fear of washing his face, he switches to the use of napkins, while washing he refuses to wash his face. If this is a general fear, then a person may not wash at all, masking the natural unpleasant odor of an unwashed body with a large amount of perfumes, perfumes, deodorants.

Personal life will be short and unhappy - not every partner will agree to live with an ablutophobe. It is also difficult to make friends and work with him. Therefore, a person will be susceptible to depression, obsessions, compulsions, and severe mental disorders may develop.

Self-help is unlikely to be effective, because a person cannot control the manifestations of his own fear. And you can reproach him as much as you like, shame, demand to go and wash, blackmail him, stimulate and motivate. The result will be the same - all determination vanishes when he approaches the bathroom or hears the sound of water. That's why he definitely needs professional medical help.

This will help hypnosis, gestalt therapy. An effective method of treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy and the method of gradual, controlled rapprochement of a person with a frightening situation. Sometimes there is a need to take medications at the same time - antidepressants, sedatives... In severe cases, treatment is carried out in a hospital with the use of tranquilizers and antipsychotic drugs.

The process of washing and taking a bath is gradually made habitual, easy, not causing anxiety. During treatment, which can last from a couple of months to a year, a person is not recommended to take alcohol or drugs. It is necessary to enlist the support of loved ones who will provide the patient with the most calm, stress-free living conditions.

Yoga and meditation, gymnastics, and breathing exercises help to achieve the therapeutic effect faster. Relaxation methods can also be taught by a psychotherapist, but the patient must use them independently. The method of gradual rubbing with a dry towel, then slightly damp is practiced. With each subsequent use, the towel should be wrung out less so that more moisture remains in it. Addiction to water gradually occurs.

In the next video, you will get acquainted with interesting facts that served as the reasons for the development of ablutophobia in some people.