Scoleciphobia is basically the irrational, persistent and unwarranted fear of worms.

Normally, the fear involved is accompanied by some other unlikely feelings of anxiety, panic, and alarm, but depending on the severity of the condition.

And though there is just a little or no actual threat, the fear increases as the stimuli gets nearer and more visible.

At present, scoleciphobia is one of the most common phobias causing a lot of people of all races and ages needless distress and trouble.

Symptoms of Scoleciphobia

Typically, a person suffering from scholeciphobia experiences symptoms such as dizziness, excessive sweating, nausea, breathlessness, speech and thinking problems, feeling sick, shaking, heart palpitations, and fear of dying.

And just like in cases of most phobias, if in case the condition of the person with scoleciphobia becomes more serious, some other symptoms such as full blown anxiety or panic attack, sense of detachment from reality and immediate loss of control or temperament may also be experienced.

Possible Causes of Scoleciphobia

Exact cause of Scoleciphobia is not yet known. Well it is just the same case as with the other phobias.

However, according to some studies made, scoleciphobia and almost all phobias may have actually evolved from some brain irregularities or otherwise chemical imbalance. Some traumatic events and happenings in the past may have also contributed to their development and eventually occurrence according to some researches.

Films and television shows, particularly those with the presence of the threat or stimuli may have also heightened the fear and some other unlikely feeling like anxiety, panic, etc.

Treatments for Scoleciphobia

Typically, treatments for scoleciphobia include therapies and potent drugs. So far, most Scoleciphobia therapies take months or years and at times even require the patient to be exposed repeatedly to their fear, so they are not usually preferred.

Potent drugs on the other hand, are often prescribed and at the same time preferred, however, their side effects and withdrawal symptoms can be really serious at times. Unfortunately, they also do not “treat” the phobia or fear itself but instead just temporarily suppress the symptoms chemically and usually just for a short period of time.

At best, to maximize potentials of both, therapies and potent drugs are combined. Therapies to work on the fear or the phobia, and drugs to work on the symptoms of the disorder.