Kakorrhaphiophobia: The Fear of Failure
Kakorrhaphiophobia is the fear of failure. This is another article in a series that provides information on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of different phobias.
Kakorrhaphiophobia is an intense, irrational fear of failure or defeat. The person coping with this phobia may fear failure in every single aspect of their life and may feel that they must constantly prove themselves as being better, more able and more competent than others. A kakorrhaphiophobic individual may aggressively compete with peers, family members, co-workers and may obsessively seek acknowledgment of their achievements. This morbid fear of failure can consume the phobic person’s every thought.
Kakorrhaphiophobia derives from the Greek word “kakos”, meaning bad and “phobos” meaning fear. It is of interest to note, that this phobia could be literally construed to mean fear of being bad.
What Causes Kakorrhaphiophobia?
As is the case with all phobias, the person suffering from Kakorrhaphiophobia has experienced a real-life trauma at some point in their life. Thereafter, when the phobic individual confronts any situation that even remotely reminds them of the trauma, their brain automatically signals a fight or flight reaction.
The most obvious cause of Kakorrhaphiophobia is an experience of failure. Perhaps the individual dealing with this phobia also experienced severe consequences because of that failure. Maybe the kakorrhaphiophobic person is highly competitive and was encouraged to avoid failure or defeat at any cost. Maybe this person was highly sensitive to the peer pressure that we all experience in our school years and a phobia developed over the years.
Whatever the cause, the kakorrhaphiophobic person can experience intense anxiety and emotional turmoil that is completely disruptive to their ability to function.
What Are the Symptoms of Kakorrhaphiophobia?
The symptoms of Kakorrhaphiophobia are individual and will vary among people. Some people, when confronted with their fear of failure and defeat, may begin to perspire, feel slightly uncomfortable or become nauseated. At the opposite end of the spectrum, other people are so severely compromised by this phobia, that they may experience crippling anxiety and/or panic attacks.
Other symptoms of Kakorrhaphiophobia may include:
* A Dry Mouth
* Heart Palpitations
* Numbness
* Heightened Senses
* Breathlessness
* Feeling Dizzy
* Muscle Tension
* Hyperventilation
* Trembling
* Rapid Heartbeat
* Feeling Out of Control
* Feeling Trapped and Unable to Escape
* Intense Feeling of Impending Disaster
How Is Kakorrhaphiophobia Diagnosed?
The vast majority of cases of Kakorrhaphiophobia are self-diagnosed. The individual realizes that their fear of failure is irrational and is severely compromising their ability to function on a daily basis.
The kakorrhaphiophobic person may discuss their phobia with the primary physician. Rarely would the doctor diagnosis Kakorrhaphiophobia based on that initial discussion with the patient. More routinely, after ruling out any medical reason for this phobia, the doctor will refer the person to a mental health professional for comprehensive assessment and evaluation.
How Is Kakorrhaphiophobia Treated?
When the fear of failure and defeat becomes intense enough to disrupt an individual’s ability to function, there are a number of ways to treat Kakorrhaphiophobia.
These can include:
* A referral from the primary physician to a therapist who specializes in the treatment of phobias.
* Traditional “talk” therapy that will teach the person to recognize and control their phobia.
* Hypnotherapy.
* Exposure Therapy.
* Self-help techniques such as purposeful muscle relaxation.
* Support groups with other people who are coping with this specific phobia.
* Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Desensitization Therapy.
* Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and visualization.
* In severe cases of Kakorrhaphiophobia, anti-anxiety medication can be prescribed.
Kakorrhaphiophobia is an intense, irrational fear of failure or defeat. Sometimes that fear can become so overwhelming as to completely halt a person’s ability to function on a daily basis. Unchecked, Kakorrhaphiophobia can become a debilitating condition that interferes with an individual’s personal life, their social life and job responsibilities. Untreated, Kakorrhaphiophobia can have a devastating impact on every aspect of a person’s life.
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