in our daily life, dealing with numbers is a very normal and casual thing, from failing your friend’s phone number to setting up your alarm to clicking on your tv remote, numbers are everywhere. the fact that you can’t avoid seeing a number also makes it for people suffering from Arithmophobia to have a normal happy life, some people fear all numbers, and others only fear specific numbers such as the number 8 “octophobia fear of the number 8“
What is Arithmophobia?
Arithmophobia is an extreme fear of numbers, constant and unreasonable fear of numbers that can interfere with daily life. The Latin and Greek roots of the phrases arithmophobia refer to a strong hatred or anxiety about numbers. “Phobos” means fear and “arithmo” means number.
A person who is arithmophobic, however, may be afraid of numbers and extremely difficult mathematical calculations. A person could become anxious at the mere thought of performing math in their daily lives or solving a challenging mathematical equation in school. Of course, having a fear of numbers can significantly limit a person’s life and potentially lower their standard of living. Being socially withdrawn is typically caused by a problem that you are embarrassed to admit.
The phobic may become overwhelmed when they see numbers on a calendar, on the phone, or in notes with written dates. A challenging task for the phobic can be tipping in restaurants or shopping in grocery shops where one must tally up the pricing of products.
Other specific numbers phobia:
- Octophobia: Fear of number 8
- triskaidekaphobia: Fear of number 13.
- hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia: Fear of 666.
What are the symptoms of Arithmophobia?
Intense fear of numbers is the main symptom of arithmophobia. Any number can cause anxiety in certain people, or the dread may only be associated with certain numbers.
You may experience:
- Chills.
- feeling lightheaded and dizzy.
- excessive perspiration
- palpitations in the heart
- Nausea.
- respiration difficulty.
- shaking or trembling
- indigestion or an upset stomach.
What causes Arithmophobia?
According to several experts, the human aversion to numbers may have its origins in the first worldwide usage of calendars, timekeeping, and number systems. For instance, the first people to use the solar calendar to measure time were the ancient Egyptians.
- Genetics, with risk increasing if you have an anxious parent or another close relative.
- Additional mental health labels, including generalized anxiety illness (GAD).
- Past traumatic or bad experiences involving numbers.
Facing financial crises, or being embarrassed in school due to a mathematical problem can also be a trigger to this phobia.
How is Arithmophobia diagnosed?
If you have a fear of numbers, your healthcare professional may question you about it. Physical symptoms might also be linked to another mental health issue.
Your provider may ask if you experience:
- enduring fear or anxiety for at least six months.
- symptoms that interfere with your ability to function or go about your day.
- immediate anxiety or distress at the mere mention of a mathematically-based assignment.
- extreme aversion to considering or viewing numbers.
- Compared to the actual threat posed by the numbers, tremendous panic.
Is Arithmophobia treatable?
Phobias usually can be treated with one of the following:
Exposure therapy: Exposure therapy is one of the most effective phobia treatments. In this type of treatment, you will work with a therapist to progressively expose yourself to what you fear. your mental health professional will exposes you to situations and images that potentially exacerbate particular symptoms. They help you gradually manage your response.
Cognitive behavioral therapy: With CBT, you can change how you perceive and respond to situations and things that bring on symptoms. CBT and exposure therapy are frequently combined by medical experts.
Medications:Although there aren’t any drugs made expressly to cure phobias, your doctor might suggest some to you.
See full list of phobias.