We explain what megalophobia is, what its symptoms are and how it can be treated. In addition, we tell you what other curious phobias exist.

What is megalophobia?
Megalophobia is a mental or psychiatric condition in which the individual presents an irrational and overwhelming fear of large objects. Like all known phobias, it is an anxiety disorder, whose expressions can range between fear and violent rejection, and which afflicts on average a low percentage of the population (around 10%).
The term “megalophobia” comes from Greek roots mega (“big” or “important”) and phobos (“fear”), so it can be defined as the irrational and irrepressible fear of large objects.
A person who suffers from this phobia You may be prey to fear or a feeling of imminent danger when contemplating a very tall building a colossal mountain or some other large object. This can translate into cumbersome life routines, since the patient will do everything possible to avoid the sight of those objects that cause him fear, no matter how commonplace they may be.
The physical symptoms of megalophobia do not differ significantly from the rest of the phobias: tachycardia, sweating, paleness, sudden stomach or intestinal discomfort, avoidant behaviors, loss of oral control (stuttering, trembling voice), facial grimaces, among others. In the case of megalophobia, these symptoms will appear when facing a very bulky object.
Like the rest of the phobias, The treatment of megalophobia requires continued psychological attention and gradual exposure to the object that triggers the anxiety as well as working on detecting underlying traumas that may explain irrational fear.
Other curious phobias
In addition to megalophobia, there are some phobias of infrequent appearance and curious reasons, such as:
- Agoraphobia. Irrational fear of open spaces, such as squares, open fields, plains, etc.
- Chromophobia. Irrational fear of colors and rainbows.
- Coulrophobia. Irrational fear of clowns and harlequins.
- Dendrophobia. Irrational fear of trees, usually a certain type of tree.
- Mysophobia. Irrational fear of dirt, grime, and germs.
- Thalassophobia. Irrational fear of the depths of oceans, lakes and rivers.
- Trypophobia. Irrational fear of holes or cavities.
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References
- “Phobia” on Wikipedia.
- “Do you know what megalophobia is?” in HOLA! Magazine
- “How to cope with Megalophobia, or a fear of Large Objects” in Healthline.