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What Is Gerontophobia?

B. Chisholm
B. Chisholm

Gerontophobia is an extreme fear of growing old or fear of the elderly. Also known as gerascophobia, the word gerontophobia is derived from geronto- meaning old age from the Greek geronta and -phobia from the Greek phobos meaning morbid fear. For some it encompasses a fear only of getting old, while others fear the elderly, and in some people suffering from it, they fear both.

Most people have fears of something, be it spiders, flying or clowns. Phobias differ from fears in that they may affect quality of life causing the person to suffer negatively and often causing withdrawal from everyday activities such as work or social engagements. The condition may reach such severe levels that the sufferer will feel unable to go to the shops or venture out of their front door for fear of seeing an old person. Any person suffering from a phobia such as gerontophobia, which is negatively affecting their life, should seek urgent psychological help.

Gerontophobia is a fear of growing older or of elderly people.
Gerontophobia is a fear of growing older or of elderly people.

The symptoms of gerontophobia are similar to those experienced by any other anxiety-type disorder and will usually manifest with signs of an anxiety attack. These may be brought on by thoughts of aging or coming into contact with an elderly person and are generally uncontrollable. Well-known symptoms of anxiety attacks may include sweating, shaking, a drop in blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath and an inability to speak. The occurrence of such attacks in people suffering from gerontophobia may cause withdrawal from society and require urgent medical intervention.

Gerontophobia can cause severe emotional issues as a person ages.
Gerontophobia can cause severe emotional issues as a person ages.

Treatment of phobias such as gerontophobia is usually multi-pronged. Depending on the severity of the disorder, the treating medical professional will recommend the best option or options. In most cases treatment will include regular sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy and counseling with a psychologist or counselor. Often group therapy is also beneficial for people suffering from phobias. Some people may have multiple psychiatric complaints, each of which may need treatment.

Group therapy is one option for individuals struggling with gerontophobia.
Group therapy is one option for individuals struggling with gerontophobia.

In some cases, drugs may be prescribed to treat the anxiety associated with the gerontophobia or to treat any underlying disorder. In severe cases an initial stay as an inpatient in a psychiatric hospital may be necessary but, in most cases, treatment will be on an outpatient basis. Treatment is generally long-term and requires the patient to attend both psychiatric and counseling appointments regularly. With the correct treatment program, gerontophobia can successfully be managed to allow the person suffering from it to return to their normal life.

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    • Gerontophobia is a fear of growing older or of elderly people.
      By: Anja Disseldorp
      Gerontophobia is a fear of growing older or of elderly people.
    • Gerontophobia can cause severe emotional issues as a person ages.
      By: Halfpoint
      Gerontophobia can cause severe emotional issues as a person ages.
    • Group therapy is one option for individuals struggling with gerontophobia.
      By: Monkey Business
      Group therapy is one option for individuals struggling with gerontophobia.
    • In some cases, elderly people may need to take anti-anxiety medication to deal with gerontophobia.
      By: krutoeva
      In some cases, elderly people may need to take anti-anxiety medication to deal with gerontophobia.
    • A tailored treatment regimen can help older adults deal with gerontophobia.
      By: Daria Filiminova
      A tailored treatment regimen can help older adults deal with gerontophobia.
    • Regular exercise may help ease anxiety disorders without the potential for side effects that come with many prescription drugs.
      By: Ana Blazic Pavlovic
      Regular exercise may help ease anxiety disorders without the potential for side effects that come with many prescription drugs.
    • Gerontophobia may prevent someone from aiding a senior in need.
      By: Shooter
      Gerontophobia may prevent someone from aiding a senior in need.