Cephalalgiaphobia

Cephalalgiaphobia (pronounced: sef-uh-lal-gee-uh-foh-bee-uh) is a specific phobia characterized by an excessive and irrational fear of headaches.

Etymology

The term 'Cephalalgiaphobia' is derived from the Greek words 'kephale' meaning 'head', 'algos' meaning 'pain', and 'phobos' meaning 'fear'.

Definition

Cephalalgiaphobia is a type of specific phobia, which is a category of anxiety disorders defined by a persistent and excessive fear of an object or situation. In this case, the fear is of experiencing a headache. The individual suffering from cephalalgiaphobia will go to great lengths to avoid situations or activities that they believe could trigger a headache, even when there is no medical reason to expect that a headache would occur.

Symptoms

Symptoms of cephalalgiaphobia may include intense anxiety or panic attacks at the thought of having a headache, avoidance behaviors, and physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, or difficulty breathing when thinking about or experiencing a headache.

Treatment

Treatment for cephalalgiaphobia typically involves cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps individuals understand and change thought patterns that lead to fear and anxiety. Exposure therapy may also be used, which involves gradually and repeatedly exposing the individual to the feared situation until the fear response is diminished.

Related Terms

Migraine: A type of headache characterized by severe pain, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Phobia: An excessive and irrational fear reaction.
Anxiety disorder: A group of mental disorders characterized by significant feelings of anxiety and fear.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Cephalalgiaphobia
Wikipedia's article - Cephalalgiaphobia

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Cephalalgiaphobia