We’ve all heard the phrase, “It’s all Greek to me.” This cliche is designed to indicate that what we are reading or what someone is saying is about as useful as if they were speaking another language. When someone shares a concept or story that we don’t understand it can be an inconvenience or even an annoyance, but most will not become overly anxious about the dialogue. For others there can be a fear and even a sense of paranoia about what they may consider an insider’s language that prevents them from being able to understand. This fear is known as Hellenologophobia.
It really can seem as if the use of Greek or scientific language might require significant skills to master. The use of Greek and scientific symbols can take time to understand. However, for the person with the fear it can be a frustration with a variety of sources.
What Causes Hellenologophobia?
For the individual with this fear a sense of paranoia may be present. Because the terms being used are unfamiliar they may come to believe that the language and terms are being used to describe them. They feel this excludes them from the conversation and allows others to either talk about them or conspire against them without ever leaving the room.
For some this fear is the result of an attempt to determine their own sense of intellect. When they find they fall short of understanding something they can take it as a crushing blow to how the view their own mental capacities. it can also make them believe that others think they are not very smart.
The fear might be the result of watching a parent or other older family member struggle with the issue. Perhaps they were prone to say, “Why can’t you speak like a regular human being?” when others would use complex terminology. The exclusive nature of the terms and language can be the primary motivator for fear.
Symptoms of Hellenologophobia
Those who live with this fear may enjoy Greek food, but do not enjoy hearing the language spoken. They may enjoy the world around them as long as it’s never described in scientific terms. They may enjoy science museums as long as they are not subjected to a guided tour that adds complexity to what they are seeing. These individuals will avoid any engagement of the language or terms.
Other symptoms may also include:
- Panic attack
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Vomiting
- Fainting
- Anger
- Elevated heart rate
- Feeling trapped
- Feeling as if others are talking about you
The primary struggle with any fear is how it makes you feel. That experience is what causes most phobic personalities to simply work to disengage from any future encounters with the object of their fear. The problem is the fear simply grows to include more things to avoid.
How to Overcome Hellenologophobia
A great way to assist in overcoming this fear is to learn the language, so to speak. Learn common Greek and scientific terms. Find someone who can help you make sense of the words in a way that defuses the mystery. Once the mystery is gone it can be much easier to accept the use of these terms by others. If, however, this doesn’t work you may find help in visiting with a therapist who can apply multiple techniques that can work favorably toward recovery.
The fear of Greek Terms or Complex Scientific Terminology is also referred to as:
- Greek terms fear
- Scientific terminology fear
- Hellenologophobia
