Anthropophobia was the most-Googled fear of 2020

A survey published by security company ADT in 2020 even found that anthropophobia, or the fear of people, has so far been America’s most searched-for phobia this year.

In that study, anthropophobia accounted for 22% of all phobias that people searched for online, a five-fold increase over 2019. And the state-by-state results affirm common stereotypes.

New York’s most-searched phobia in 2020, for example, has been “philophobia.” That’s a big word for the fear of intimacy.

Or, as Wikipedia puts it, “the fear of falling in love.”

The survey also hastens to point out that New York ranks fifth nationwide in its share of single adults. 

And in California, a hub for influencers, the leading fear people looked for online was the fear of social media.

This new-sounding fear also implies its opposite, namely nomophobia, or the fear of having no mobile phone.

In Massachusetts, the state with the highest percentage of college graduates, the most searched-for fear was the fear of failure.

And Hawaii was the only state to have acrophobia — the fear of heights — as its most-searched fear.

Doubtless due to the state’s’ many terrifying cliffs.

Other contender-phobias included the fear of: needles, flying, holes, the dark, the outside (Texas), clowns (number one in Montana and New Hampshire; why?), spiders (Michigan and Wisconsin), blood, public speaking, and snakes (Virginia).

See the most-searched-for phobias across the land on the map below:

• A brief history of anthropophobia

Anthropophobia is the fear of people.

For some, it is so severe that it limits or prevents their social interactions.

Below, we take a look at what causes anthropophobia here, and what you can do to overcome it.

The word Anthropophobia itself stems from two Greek roots: anthropos, which means “human being” and phobos, meaning “fear.”

Anthropophobics may experience anxiety or panic when they have to interact with other people; some even go so far as refusing public contact altogether.

It can lead to social isolation and significant distress in day-to-day living.

Anthropophobia definition

The definition of anthropophobia may vary across cultures, but it typically refers to someone who experiences feelings of extreme aversion towards all forms of human interaction.

These feelings often manifest themselves by people choosing to live in isolation, or even by refusing to leave the comfort of their own home.

Anthropophobics may experience anxiety or panic when they must interact with other people; some even go so far as refusing public contact altogether.

Anthropophobia is often a type of social anxiety disorder.

There are many treatments available, and research continues on its causes and potential cures .

Anthrophobia vs. anthropophobia

Anthrophobia is basically an acceptable misspelling of anthropophobia, and the two terms are often used interchangeably.

What’s the difference between anthropophobia and social phobia?

A social phobia refers to a fear of social situations, such as going to a party, or making a presentation at work. Anthropophobia, on the other hand, refers to a fear of other people themselves, and not of social situations that typically involve people.

In other words, while anthropophobia can be seen as a form of social phobia, not all social phobias are anthropophobia.

It’s possible for anthropophobics to be afraid of both individuals as well large groups; that is, there is a lot of overlap between social phobia and anthrophobia.

Social anxiety disorder involves intense anxiety when in a social situation.

In theory, anthropophobia could include symptoms unrelated to social interaction.

This could apply to being at a party or on a date, or interacting with a cashier or store worker.

As mentioned above, people with social anxiety disorder feel uncontrollable fear that they’ll be judged or rejected by people.

They often end up avoiding social situations altogether, when they can’t be seen in person or interact with others.

Social phobias are often related to one another

For example, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder but it also shares similar symptoms with Anthropophobia, because an anthropophobe might obsessively perform behaviors in order to avoid coming into contact with others that cause them anxiety.

Do I have anthropophobia?

If you’re wondering whether you have anthropophobia, below are some key questions you can ask yourself:

1. Have you ever been diagnosed with a similar condition?
2. Do you experience anxiety when in the company of people or is it only a general feeling of unease?
3. Do your general thoughts about other people assume that they have bad intentions?
4. Has your anxiety about being around other people affected any aspect of your life negatively, such as relationships or career/education pursuits that may have lead to you quitting something important?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, then the chances are good that an anthropophobic disorder is affecting your life.

Seek out professional care if this is the case.

Can I cure anthropophobia by myself?

It’s difficult to treat this disorder on your own.

While self-help might seem the easiest option — especially for people who try to avoid other people — a professional can provide the right treatment through therapy sessions and medication.

Anthropophobia is a complex condition that doesn’t typically go away on its own through self-treatment, and even with therapy sessions and medication the process can take time.

You may find the symptoms lessen in intensity over time, but will may never be fully cured without professional care from a doctor or mental health practitioner who specializes in this kind of treatment.

What percentage of people have Anthropophobia?

By some estimates, the percentage of people who experience anthrophobia is as high as 13%, while other studies say that it’s closer to 8%.

An article with data on this question can be found here.

What causes anthropophobia?

Anthropophobia can be linked to trauma in a person’s history.

Often it appears after a series of bad experiences.

The causes of anthrophobia are not always clear, and can vary from person to person.

Some possible causes are listed below.

• Often there is a history of social anxiety in the person’s family.
• Other possible causes can be: anxiety, stress, and a lack of experience in social situations.
• Anthropophobia has also been linked to paranoia and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).
• It might even be an evolutionary instinct that humans have developed over thousands of years to avoid dangerous situations and protect themselves from harm.
• Hormones from adrenal glands can help or hurt how you deal with stress.

  Thyroid or heart problems can also be the culprit in anxiety disorders in general.

• Some studies into “behavioral inhibition” in babies show that being scared of people might be partially genetic.

  A 1999 study of this trait found that about 10% to 15% of people show signs of this early temperament.

  It can continue into adolescence and adulthood, and can make one more likely to develop a later social anxiety disorder.

It’s important to note that anthropophobic symptoms can vary widely between sufferers which means there isn’t one singular cause for all cases of anthropophobia.

This can make diagnosis more complicated, because other disorders like social anxiety or depression may show similar signs and symptoms when they co-exist with anthropophobia.

Anthropophobia symptoms 

Some anthropophobia symptoms are common to many social disorders.

Examples include avoiding eye contact, breathing problems, and panic attacks.

The symptoms for anthropophobia vary from person to person, but the below is a general list that may commonly apply:

• Feelings of anxiety when around groups of people, or when you know you might soon have to to be around a group of people; feeling restless or jittery when you are in the company of others
• A feeling of tightness in the chest, and difficulty in breathing deeply, when around people.

  Sometimes anthropophobia can cause panic attacks.

• A strong urge to escape without warning from any social interaction (increased impulsivity).
• Sleep disorders, coupled with excessive tiredness and the inability to focus at work or school, in part due to the seemingly never-ending exposure to people all day long.

Anthropophobia diagnosis

An anthropophobia diagnosis is usually given by a therapist or psychologist who will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

The therapist will focus on the personal circumstances and health of the individual patient: is the phobia new? is it severe? They will also be able to suggest helpful treatment possibilities, offer tips on where to begin, and help the patient search for local support groups.

Anthropophobia treatment: how does someone get over anthrophobia?

Scientists have been studying anthrophobia for ages, and at this point thousands of articles and meta-analyses have gathered mountains of data on patients around the world.

Likewise, research is constantly allowing for the developing of new treatment options.

It’s important for anthropophobics to get treatment because it could lead to other health disorders such as depression or schizophrenia if left untreated.

There are many treatments available for Anthropophobic disorders.

Many patients are prescribed anti-anxiety medication, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and in some cases even psychiatric hospitalization.

• Psychotherapy geared towards the anthropophobic person can help them learn how to deal with their anxieties more effectively as well as ways they can cope when they need to be around people again.

  Psychotherapy has been shown to be effective for anthropophobia sufferers, because it allows them an opportunity to talk about what they are experiencing without judgment.

• Some medications may also offer treatment of symptoms that accompany anthropophobic episodes, such as panic attacks.

  Other medications work on reducing social anxiety.

• CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) treatments have also been effective.

  CBT generally involves a combination of cognitive therapy and behavior therapy.

  The goal is to change a person’s thought patterns, attitudes, or behaviors so as to deal with the situation that causes their anxiety disorder.

  Replacing anxiety with positive associations can help a person develop helpful mental health habits, which also have physical benefits (such as improved breathing in tense situations).

Support groups for anthropophobia

Support groups, perhaps ironically, are also a good option to investigate when it comes to treating a social phobia.

They are a form of treatment that often has positive effects on both psychological as well as physical health.

When a patent is surrounded by others experiencing a similar social phobia, the typical anxiety levels can drop off considerably.

The person sitting next to you might be able to offer medical advice about what has worked for them, or about treatment or therapy options that you hadn’t yet heard of.

You can also confidentially discuss your symptoms, your diagnosis, or how your anthrophobia is affecting your (mental) health.

Support groups are also a great opportunity to work on skills like making eye contact, and how to develop more personal solutions to some of the more severe consequences of a person’s social fears, such as sleep problems.

Exchanging tips is yet another benefit.

The Anxiety & Depression Society of America offer a great list of local support groups for social anxiety throughout the US, Canada, and a few other countries; some of the group meeting are virtual as well.

What to do if you suspect you have anthropophobia

If you suspect you have an anthropophobic disorder, or may be developing one, then the first step is to seek professional care.

Talk to a therapist if you have one, or even ask a counselor at school about where to begin with treatment.

Support is out there, and though the process can be a long one, the first step is always to seek help.

A positive diagnosis doesn’t have to mean that your health is in danger, only that there are some helpful steps you can take to start feeling better.

Some helpful academic research on anthropophobia

• This 2001 study on anthropophobia (PDF) focuses mainly on its prevalence in Asia, though the article is rich in general information on this disorder.
• The main Wikipedia article on social anxiety disorders also addresses the fear of people (versus the fear of social situations that involve people).
• A letter published in the British Medical Journal in 1936 suggested that anthropophobia was on the rise then, just as many suggest it it on the rise today.
• An unusual article about anthropophobia in dogs, which the authors attribute to harmful inbreeding.
• Technology to the rescue: this 2021 study explains a VR-based treatment for anthrophobia, specifically designed to help people overcome their fear of public speaking.

Related psychology news:

• New study shows that people who believe in astrology tend to be more narcissistic.