Maybe in your childhood you dreamed of the day you would be older, an adult, and be able to do all the things an adult or older person can do. For many people, growing older is something we can’t wait for and are excited about. It could be because of the things one is able to do when they are older like drive a car, go out with friends without supervision, and a number of other activities, but would you believe me when I say there are some individuals who fear getting old?

For some individuals, getting old or becoming older is not so much a positive. Instead, it is seen as a negative thing because when one becomes older it means they age and become closer to a point in life where they become health compromised or are impaired in some way. These individuals that look at growing old in this way and have a immense fear are known to have what is called Gerascophobia.

Deriving from the Greek word “Geras” which means old and “phobos” which means fear, Gerascophobia is the fear of growing old, and in some cases is synonymous with the fear of dying.

This phobia is understood as demonstrating immense worry about not only growing old, but the implications of growing old. For example, with age we lose independence and youthful looks as well as the probability of the onset of disease with old age.

What are the symptoms?What are the causes of Gerascophobia?How to cope and treat Gerascophobia?

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes of Gerascophobia?

How to cope and treat Gerascophobia?

Typical symptoms seen as a result of the anxiety felt from the fear of growing old include having panic attacks, heart palpitations and increased heart rate, and sweating. Additionally, individuals with this phobia may also experience depression or a negative view of oneself and loneliness.

Lastly, in cases which the individual with Gerascophobia is an adolescent other extreme behavior may be seen. Due to the fear of growing old being severe and immense, these adolescents can attempt to stop any sort of physical development such as eating less to decrease the intake of nutrients.

As with many psychological disorders, there is no single cause for Gerascophobia. Instead, Gerascophobia is formed or developed because of a number of factors such as biological, psychological, and social factors that in combination with each other increase the possibility for an individual to get Gerascophobia.

Factors such as genes can be a reason why an individual may develop Gerascophobia. Now, there is no single gene that results in the development of Gerascophobia instead genes that make one more prone to anxiety can make one more susceptible. For example, parental history of anxiety can mean that genes related to having anxiety can be passed on thus increasing the possibility of the child developing anxiety and then this phobia.

Additional factors related to psychology can also assist with the development of phobias like Gerascophobia. Specifically, having anxiety can make one more likely to develop a fear as one is typically hyperaware or overtly cautions of things like getting older and acquiring age related health issues. Experiences which are traumatic and/or stressful can also be psychological factors that increase the probability of developing Gerascophobia. A traumatic experience that could lead someone to developing Gerascophobia could be witnessing a grandparent get incredibly sick with Alzheimer’s disease and the impact it had on individuals involved with the sick grandparent.

Not only are there biological and psychological factors that can increase the likelihood of developing Gerascophobia, but there are also social experiences that can do the same. In the previous section we discussed traumatic experiences, but general experiences can also impact an individual as well. For example, exposure to an unpleasant situation repeatedly can make one more likely to develop a dislike that can transform and develop into a fear.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

A go-to method of treatment for a number of disorders including phobias is the use of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, or CBT. If you are not familiar with CBT, this form of treatment is a therapeutic treatment requiring an individual to complete the therapy with a licensed clinician.

In sum, CBT works on identifying the negative thought patterns of the individual. In the case of someone with Gerascophobia, the clinician may attempt to unravel or dig up with the individual where negative thoughts regarding growing old are stemming from or why are there negative thoughts about growing old present. Methods used for identifying thought patterns can look like a few things and can be tailored to individuals depending on what works best for them. A few techniques include journaling and self-monitoring.

Family Therapy

Another form of therapy, most suitable from young adolescents with this phobia is family therapy. This method of therapy, while not the first to be considered in some instances, can be incredibly beneficial to not only the individual but also the family who is equally as involved.

Lastly, family therapy is usually a form of treatment done in combination with another treatment. Although, it is not common for family therapy to be done on its own, it can be critical for an individual to include in their treatment plan since individuals typically have some type of social group close to them which can equally impact and influence the likelihood of overcoming a psychological disorder such as Gerscophobia.

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Reference this article:Practical Psychology. (2022, May).Fear of Growing Old - Gerascophobia.Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/fear-of-growing-old-gerascophobia/.Practical Psychology. (2022, May). Fear of Growing Old - Gerascophobia. Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/fear-of-growing-old-gerascophobia/.Copy

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Practical Psychology. (2022, May).Fear of Growing Old - Gerascophobia.Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/fear-of-growing-old-gerascophobia/.Practical Psychology. (2022, May). Fear of Growing Old - Gerascophobia. Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/fear-of-growing-old-gerascophobia/.Copy

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