Do you have a fear of ghosts, anything ghoulish that goes bump in the night and causes fright? Well, if you do, then don’t worry because millions of others do, too. It’s a very common fear known as “phasmophobia”. The word “phasmos” derives from the Greek language referring to “phantom” or “supernatural being”. It’s also known as “spectrophobia”. “Spectrum” is Latin referring to a specter, or an image of a thing, or an apparition.
Symptoms of phasmobia can typically be found in most disorders that lead to anxiety. A sufferer can go through feelings of dread, rapid heartbeat, panic attacks, also nausea and severe vomiting. It’s even been reported that a person suffering from phasmosphobia can develop OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) in order to conduct rituals to negate any kind of ghostly presence.
However, one can find treatment for such a fear. Self help methods can be extremely successful by reaching out to someone to openly talk about it to help eradicate the phobia by facing it. Another way is to contact professional help so that the phobia of ghosts can be removed. I always suggest to anyone who believes they’re experiencing any kind of ghostly activity to contact their local paranormal investigative team. It’s been from my own experiences that I’ve found these teams are compiled of members who are intelligent, non-judgmental and extremely open-minded, and are very willing to help to the best of their ability. Many of my friends are paranormal investigators and I always feel comfortable and at ease when working with them.
Also, the relaxation method of meditation (which I highly recommend) can help calm one’s inner turmoil, creating more focus, therefore a sense of confidence to bring forth a well-balanced mental state of mind. And…. having a close relationship with one’s spirit guide is something else I recommend. I work very closely with mine and by doing so, I have absolutely no fear.
There’s even a “specific phobia” involving a ghastly fear of mirrors. This macabre phobia is referred to as “catoptrophobia” which derives from the Greek language for the word “mirror”. Now I mentioned “specific phobia”, which simply refers to any type of anxiety disorder that signifies an illogical fear of the exposure of a specific item and/or situation which can eventually lead to the distressed individual avoiding all contact with the item and/or situation. The fear can actually be so paralyzing to the individual’s mental state that it literally disrupts their life.
Here are a few more phobias that I found to be rather interesting.
Achluphobia: which is the fear of darkness.
Eisoptrophobia: which is the fear of one’s own reflection.
Samhainphobia: which is the fear of Halloween.
And…. Wiccaphobia: which is the fear of witches and/or witchcraft.
The last phobia I had to include. Why? Because of my own personal beliefs and spiritual journey. I am Wiccan, a solitary one who practices the use of white magic, and there’s definitely no reason to fear anything I do. I only believe in promoting love and light. I am well aware of those who practice dark magic, and I also stay away from them. But that doesn’t mean that I fear them.
It’s easy to fear that which one doesn’t understand. It takes strength, courage and faith to overcome adversity.
“…I am perfectly aware that the fear of ghosts is contrary to science, reason and religion. If I were sentenced to spend a night alone in a graveyard, … I should already know that twigs would snap and the wind moan and that there would be half-seen movements in the darkness. And yet, after I had been frog-marched into the graveyard, I should feel a thrill of fear every time one of these things happened…” ~ Philosopher, Peter van Inwagen
Get a copy of my novel, The Spirit Within on Amazon!
~ Sheila Renee Parker on Twitter: @sheilarparker.
~ Sheila Renee Parker on Facebook: Sheila Renee Parker – Author
~ Sheila Renee Parker on Instagram: @sheilareneeparker
~ Art by Sheila Renee Parker available at: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/sheilarenee-parker.html
Very interesting! I didn’t know fear of ghosts had a name 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right?! Had to share. I love learning new things. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who knew there were people out there that feared their own reflection! I thought that was something only my dog suffered from.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Right?! My dog, too… lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
He hates seeing himself in the mirror! If you hold him and make home look he gets sad/nervous and will look anywhere else. His poor little brain can’t figure it out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww…. poor little guy…. so sweet!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so awesome, thank you, Vincent!!!
LikeLike
You’re very welcome Sheila 😎 likewise my friend
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
meditation helps a lot….
LikeLike
I guess anything unknown or can’t easily be seen can cause fear – can’t see the bottom of the water can cause fear to jump into the water. It can be uneasy feeling to be in the water and feel that way.
Fear of Halloween – I think it is the time of fun seeing cute young kids asking for candies 🙂
LikeLike
Not really. Hallowe’en (as it should be spelled, meaning All Hallows’ Eve) is a Christianised pagan festival, nothing to do with kiddies dressing up and ‘threatening ‘ people for sweets. It was thought to be a time when the veil between the world of the living and that of the dead is at its thinnest, and the dead, including evil spirits, can walk the world of the living.
Definitely a time to fear, and I guess those suffering from this phobia are thinking of just that.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Isn’t it more ….like they might have a sensitivity to things shifting around them. Could be electro magnetic..Sometimes if there’s a person around them that understands it they can be trained to use it in the right way -like a skill…or strength not something that makes them feel crazy. just curious.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: “Spooky Random Fact: #16” | SHEILA RENEE PARKER
Pingback: “Spooky Random Fact: #20” | SHEILA RENEE PARKER
Pingback: Spooky Random Fact…… “Wiccaphobia” | SHEILA RENEE PARKER