Gerascophobia panic of growing old: identify it and discover its risks in time
No one likes to look in the mirror and receive the invoice of the passing of the years, however, some of them affect them more than others. Gerascophobia, which is the fear of aging, is a psychological disorder that affects many, and in most cases it becomes dangerous.
Wrinkles, spots, even contact with other elderly people, are factors that cause an emotional imbalance in people with this disorder.
When pampering goes from being spontaneous and preventative to becoming obsessive, motivated by fear, there is reason to worry. Gerascophobia is a serious problem and here we will show you how to detect and deal with it.
How is the behavior of someone with Gerascophobia?
As with any other disease, this phobia has specific features that help us detect if someone is suffering from old age panic.
He talks about old age as something very negative
The first characteristic that is observed in people is the simplicity of their words; in this sense, they tend to have derogatory and negative expressions, regarding old age.
The deep fear of aging causes the person to develop a whole list of reasons to justify their rejection.
In general, people with this disorder see old age as a stage of sadness, loneliness, frustration, poverty, clumsiness, and many other negative concepts. Their arguments are not viable, nor correctly supported, because it is only their fear acting.
Image obsession
It is normal to want to hide gray hair, or cover up a blemish or wrinkle, but in this case, these things are a gigantic problem that must be solved immediately.
Their physical appearance becomes a priority, where there is no room for old age traits.
The most direct actions taken by those affected are spending large amounts of money on body products and exercising excessively.
Depriving yourself of food to maintain your figure is also part of this list of activities in search of eternal youth.
All this is motivated by a false psychological concept, which determines that youth is associated only with physical beauty. This leads them to increase their obsession with caring for it.
Avoid contact with older people
Another clear reflection of the presence of this problem is that the person who suffers from it, avoids being around or related to the elderly.
In their panic of feeling old, hanging out with older people sees it as a sign of acceptance, which the phobic individual is against.
The less contact you can have with older adults, the more self-confident the person will feel. If they were to seek to be in a youthful environment, this would also lead them to hide their age, and even to deny or lie about it.
Physical conditions caused by Gerascophobia
The problem that Gerascophobia generates goes beyond just psychological interference, it also affects the functioning of the body when going through moments of panic.
Phobias are accompanied by anxiety pictures that are triggered by the elements that are feared, and this causes physical reactions. In this case, tachycardia, tremor, blockage of breathing, insomnia, attacks of anger may occur.
On another level, it should also be taken into account that by not being able to fight against nature, depressive symptoms appear, as well as episodes of psychosis.
What motivates the appearance of this phobia and who are likely to suffer from it?
In order to deal with this conflict, it is necessary to understand a little what it is, what generates it and what are the reasons for its appearance. Just as it is good to know what behaviors are a sign of being prone to suffering from it.
Social concepts
We are influenced by a society that constantly bombards our minds with the concept that the old must be discarded and left behind. The standard of success is represented by perfect bodies, in their best moment and splendor.
There is a lot of appreciation of the strength of youth, and they make old age look like a reflection of weakness. All this accumulation of concepts predisposes the mind to rejection.
Traumas
Some people were in contact during some stage of their lives with one or more people with a complicated old age, surrounded by deficiencies and illnesses. This generated a trauma that makes them reject everything related to this stage of life.
Family values
We are a reflection of what we have learned through family influence, and if a concept of contempt for old age is handled within the family, it is very possible that it will be inherited. These inherited values, and even the rejection of some members towards an elder, make any individual prone to suffering from the disorder.
Warning signs
If you are obsessed with your image or know someone who is, be very careful, as this is a possible warning sign.
On the other hand, people with narcissistic behavior, or inclined to perfectionism, are also one of the most prone, as are those who suffer from anxiety.
How to deal with Gerascophobia?
It begins by dismantling the false concepts that predispose their rejection. It tries to make him see that getting old does not necessarily have to be a complicated and frustrating stage, just as their youth is not defined solely by their physique.
You can encourage them using as an example great characters and entrepreneurs who did fabulous things when they were old.
Help them reaffirm their self-esteem by leading them to give more value to their internal beauty, which increases over the years.
There is no reason to put aside body care, you just have to change the intensity and motivation. Instead of fear or panic, your reason for a healthy diet and physical exercise is the pursuit of good health that allows you to enjoy more.
Help them to frequent spaces where contemporary people attend, who have the same spirit and energy that, that person possesses. In this way it will be seen with the reflection of the truth regarding old age.