Ablutophobia - Bathing Fear, Phobia of Washing,Fear of Bathing

Ablutophobia is defined as the fear of washing, bathing and cleaning is an intense fear that poses no or little danger. Not to be confused with a fear of being clean - this is a fear of the process by which one becomes clean. It is caused by the some incident in the past where there was a traumatic event linking with washing or bathing. It could have also developed by seeing someone else experience trauma.

Ablutophobia is an intense fear of something that poses little or no actual danger to the patient. Most of the people who are suffering from the ablutophobia are astonished when they find out that they aren't alone. Ablutophobia is surprisingly common.

Most ablutophobia treatment take months or years and sometimes even require the patient to be exposed continously to their fear in order to minimize its strength. Though a variety of potent drugs are often prescribed for ablutophobia, side effects and/or withdrawal symptoms can be severe. Drugs do not cure ablutophobia permanently . At best they temporarily reduces the stress level of the phobia.

What is the cause of Ablutophobia?

Ablutophobia is developed by the unconscious mind as a protective mechanism. It results due to some emotional trauma related to an event linking washing, bathing or cleaning. It might develop by seeing someone else experience trauma related to bathing.

Relating emotions to situations is one of the important ways that humans learn. Some people experience it almost all the time, others just in response to direct stimuli.

Symptoms of Ablutophobia:

• Breathlessness.
• Dizziness.
• Excessive sweating.
• Nausea.
• Dry mouth.
• Shaking.
• Heart palpitations.
• Inability to speak or think clearly.
• A fear of dying, becoming mad or losing control.