The fear of being by oneself is known as Autophobia: this fear can be quite crippling, as it often reveals a sense of inner loneliness and insecurity. For some, being alone can bring out doubts, sadness, and even depression.
Reasons For This Phobia
Everyone needs to come to terms with loneliness during the course of their lives. Noone really escapes the dark moments when the journey through existence seems like a solitary one. However, many people only experience loneliness in spates. For others, loneliness may seem like a constant companion. When it does, Autophobia may develop.
On the other side of the equation, people who are very social and reliant on other people for entertainment and self-esteem may find it very difficult to spend time alone.
Introvert or Extrovert?
Extroverts gain energy from being with other people, whereas introverts find too much group activity very draining. Of course, it’s best to be somewhere in the middle, but this phobia tends to affect those who are very extroverted or very introverted.
Loneliness can seem like an endless road…
Loneliness can be very real, or an elevated response to fears and inner turmoil. For some, being left in the lurch by someone or let down by a friend can be a devastating precursor to the development of this phobia. Often, the response to being alone will be a trigger for painful memories.
Death and Heartbreak Can Cause This Phobia
For some, losing a partner or spouse can be a powerful component in their Autophobia. The pain of losing any close friend or family member can provoke feelings of profound loss that may lessen in severity over time. However, the passage of time may not cure a phobia once it takes hold. Divorce and death are traumatic events that leave psychological scars.
Learning to deal with loneliness is part of life, but people with this phobia may withdraw further from human contact, believing they are destined to be unhappy or lonely…forever. This can manifest itself in the form of avoidance, or depression.
Taking control of loneliness through a concerted effort to meet new people is the best strategy for dealing with Autophobia. Community activities, volunteering, and book clubs and team sports can all take the edge off feelings of loneliness. Some people find solace in religion, enjoying church or synagogue activities. Finding an interest that others will share is a good coping mechanism for the fear of being by oneself.
Treatment
Psychotherapy and counselling may uncover deep emotions, such as issues with self-esteem or confidence. By dealing with these repressed emotions, it may become easier to manage the symptoms of this phobia. Often, people with Autophobia will report feelings of unease, tension, and physical illness when they feel lonely.
Being alone can bring to the forefront the deepest fears and worries. Getting help for this phobia can help to encourage more social contact, and a feeling of perspective which will assist a phobic person in being positive and making proactive changes in their lifestyle and point of view.
Sometimes, it’s necessary to treat any underlying depression with a course of medication that eases physical symptoms and balances the psyche. Alernative therapies such as cognitive re-mapping can also play a role in getting past Autophobia.
Other Names For The Fear Of Being By Oneself
Fear of Loneliness
Fear of Being Alone
Fear of Being Lonely
