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When you experience an intense fear of large objects to the point that it impacts your daily functioning, it means you have megalophobia. Whether you are scared of big animals, buildings, or monuments that tower over you, this fear can be overcome as long as the individual is willing to explore their feelings and understand what can be done to facilitate stress reduction.
In this article we will examine the symptoms and causes of megalophobia and learn what can be done to positively impact your mental health as you are trying to get rid of this phobia.
Causes of Megalophobia
Although it is difficult to generalize and explain what triggers fear of massive structures since every person’s experiences are unique, researchers have tried to narrow down potential causes of this phenomenon to help individuals understand their mental state better and manage megalophobia successfully. Here is a brief list of factors that may contribute to the development of this phobia:
- Disturbing events from the person’s past they lived through or witnessed if they featured a large structure.
- Influence of parents, siblings, and peers – if someone you look up to has been scared of big objects and has shared their anxiety and fear with you, you may pick up this behavioral pattern.
- Consequences of untreated mental illnesses. For instance, if you suffer from chronic depression or your mental disorder lowers your self-esteem, the existence of monumental things may make you feel insignificant and small adding to your negative self-perception.
Signs and Symptoms of Megalophobia
The symptoms of megalophobia resemble the manifestations of many other phobias – a person becomes severely anxious when their fears are triggered or they are suddenly exposed to a large object:
- You will experience dread and panic when seeing a large structure.
- You will deal with certain physical sensations such as excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
- You will breathe rapidly or feel like you cannot breathe at all.
- You will feel dissociated as if you are disconnecting from reality and the things and people that surround you.
Note that the symptoms may appear even if a person starts thinking about large things without even seeing them in the first place. Alternatively, if you are scared of monuments or skyscrapers and you are informed about the need to go to a location where you may encounter these objects or you see images of them, mental and physical manifestations of your phobia might occur.
Impact of Megalophobia on Daily Life
Apart from the anxiety and fear you will experience when seeing large objects, megalophobia may also disrupt your daily life. If you are scared of huge buildings, you will refuse to go out and meet with your friends and family in the middle of your city or feel unable to perform your job duties if your employer requires you to travel and visit many unfamiliar locations where you may encounter things you are scared of.
Additionally, the more stressed out you are, the higher the likelihood of physical complications inevitable when you are constantly in emotional turmoil – people with untreated phobias are more prone to respiratory, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular diseases. They may also have low levels of energy and poor concentration which affects their work performance and cognitive function.
Coping Strategies for Managing Megalophobia
After a mental health specialist assesses your current mental state, they will come up with a treatment plan whose mission is to eliminate your phobia of big things. Let us take a look at the most common ways to deal with megalophobia:
| Therapeutic Approach | Description |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) | CBT is a perfect therapy modality for a patient who struggles to positively alter their thoughts on their own – a therapist will show you how to replace negative thought patterns that make your megalophobia worse with a more positive outlook |
| Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy | Under the guidance of an EMDR practitioner you will be able to access traumatic memories that caused you to fear big objects and heal from these disturbing experiences as you rapidly move your eyes following the directions of the therapist |
| Exposure Therapy | You can overcome your phobia if you are carefully exposed to things you are scared of – exposure therapy will allow you to cope with stressors while you are completely safe so that your anxiety and stress are not triggered later on |
| Medication Management | In case talking therapy has not yielded the results you hoped for, you may need to talk to a psychiatrist especially if megalophobia manifests as severe anxiety – a mental health professional will know what prescription drugs will lessen and eliminate the most difficult symptoms you cannot manage on your own |
The Role of Therapy in Addressing Megalophobia
With the right form of treatment, a therapist who has in-depth knowledge of phobias and their devastating effect on the daily functioning of patients, and a customized treatment strategy that can be adjusted in line with the individual’s needs and preferences, it is possible to help the patient get rid of anxiety over large structures.
Even if prior to counseling you tried to rely on yourself and your inner circle to figure out how to contain the manifestations of the phobia, it is advisable to listen to the opinion of a therapist who will give you an opportunity to explore unconscious behaviors that cause phobia and shift your perspective with the help of specialized therapy options.
Living With Megalophobia
While therapy should be your main source of support when intense fear of largeness takes over, there are things you can do to take care of your mental well-being and tackle problems that prevent you from being the healthiest version of yourself:
| Advice | Description |
| Sleep Better | Many intrusive thoughts occur right before the person goes to bed which is why it is crucial to find a way to calm down before you sleep, create a routine to follow so that you get eight hours of sleep, avoid screens for an hour or two at night, and limit naps in the daytime |
| Practice Mindfulness | There are numerous holistic practices and mindfulness practices you can utilize in times of distress – a therapist will showcase the benefits of diverse relaxation exercises you can do in the comfort of your own home |
| Socialize With Loved Ones | Your family and friends will give you the validation and consolation you lack when your phobia becomes too overwhelming – do not turn down their invitations and suggestions to spend time together since their support is imperative for your mental health in the long run |
| Find Like-Minded People | Even though it may be challenging to connect with an individual with megalophobia who lives nearby to share your experiences, you can try to get in touch with people with similar issues online or join a support group for phobias in general |
Ready to Make a Change? Contact Clear Mind Treatment Today
Do not let the giant object fear stop you from moving forward in life – you should be able to pursue your professional goals and interact with other people freely, without your phobia limiting what you can and cannot do. Reach out to Clear Mind Treatment today – our specialists will evaluate your mental health and prepare an individualized plan of treatment to help you get better.
FAQs
What causes the fear of large objects and how can it affect daily life?
If you worry about big objects, you may be scared to look out of your window or go outside whether you are scared of planes, monuments, or skyscrapers. An individual with this phobia will be limited in their abilities to succeed in their professional and personal life which is why it is necessary to find what treatment resonates with them.
How does anxiety over large structures differ from other phobias?
The main characteristic that differentiates megalophobia from other phobias is the object people are afraid of – while other phobias make individuals concentrate on water, insects, heights, or darkness, this one is about large objects whether these are living things (animals) or inanimate objects (buildings).
What are the common symptoms associated with the phobia of big things?
The symptoms of megalophobia may look like an anxiety or panic attack – a person struggles to breathe, their heart beats faster, they are sweating and shaking, and they may even faint. This phobia causes the individual to feel intense fear, and they might need some time to relax and feel normal again.
Are there effective treatments for overcoming the intense fear of largeness?
CBT, EMDR therapy, and exposure therapy have been very effective for patients diagnosed with megalophobia. Moreover, if your symptoms do not go away with these therapy modalities, your therapist will give you a referral to a psychiatrist who will evaluate your physical and mental state and prescribe drugs that can alleviate your anxiety.
How can one manage overwhelming fear of big objects in everyday situations?
Therapy is the best solution for a person struggling with megalophobia but you may also take care of your health, optimize your nutrition and sleep, do breathing exercises, and meditate to achieve a balance between your mental and physical state in order to overcome your fears and minimize the likelihood of further mental health complications.
