Pediophobia is a specific type of phobia in which an individual develops an irrational fear of dolls even though they pose no actual threat. So, though children mostly love dolls, some with this phobia become distressed. They scream and even cry at just the sight of the doll.

Find more information about this fear of dolls, its symptoms, causes and treatment below.

Pediophobia is derived from the Greek word ‘Paidion’, which translates to ‘little child.’ In this specific phobia, people fear inanimate objects in human figures or anything that appears humanlike.

So apart from dolls, people with this phobia can also fear:

• Wax museum statues
• Ventriloquist dummies
• Department store mannequins
• Humanoid robots
• Motorised puppets or Animatronics mostly found in parks

The following are the symptoms of Pediophobia which individuals commonly experience when exposed to their fear:

• Difficulty in breathing
• Feeling intense fear
• Sweating
• Fast heartbeat
• Chest pain or heaviness
• Panic attacks
• Trembling or shaking
• Screaming

The exact cause of the fear of dolls is still unknown, but experts suggest a traumatic experience mainly triggers it. The instances include:

• Indirect Experience: It involves watching a horror movie based on dolls and experiencing a horrific incident remotely involving a doll.
• Direct Experience: The fear can also develop from a direct circumstance like you were scared of dolls in your childhood.
• Spiritual Practices: Some use dolls to render curses on others as part of their spiritual practice.

The risk of developing this phobia can increase due to the following factors:

• Genetics: It involves the fear being passed down by either or both of your parents through genes.
• Familial: This means the fear is transferred by your parent, relative or sibling through influence, not inherited.
• Environmental: The risk of attracting Pediophobia can also increase if the surrounding of an individual where he or she grows up present dolls negatively.

Apart from creating anxiety Pediophobia can also develop other complications:

• People start disrupting their life and re-organising them to get rid of dolls
• Children cry, scream and even throw tantrums at their parents
• Severe cases of panic attacks

Mental health experts follow the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose Pediophobia. It involves confirming the following:

• Does a person purposely avoid the object of fear as it causes fear or anxiety or can’t be avoided?
• Does the phobia always induce anxiety and fear?
• Is the distress impacting the individual’s quality of life?
• Are the anxiety, fear and avoidance constant or consistent?

The following are the treatment for Pediophobia that doctors may suggest either individually or in combination:

1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, is a common type of therapy used for almost every type of phobia. It helps people identify their subconscious thoughts, feelings and behaviours. This, in turn, helps individuals choose the thoughts or reactions they want to experience.

2. Medications

Selective Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the two medications doctors suggest for controlling anxiety. Apart from this, it may also help with phobia.

3. Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy helps develop the skill of how to deal with fear. For this, the mental health expert pushes their patient to increase contact with the object they fear. As a result of continuous exposure, the intensity of fear decreases.

Pediophobia is more common to develop during childhood when a child is still learning to separate fantasy from reality. Moreover, doctors are able to diagnose this fear after it has persisted for more than six months. So, its effect can stay longer than that. On the other hand, speaking of the duration of its symptoms, it usually stays for 10 minutes or more.

Generally, people can manage their fear by adopting coping techniques. However, it is probably time to see a doctor if it becomes impossible to avoid the fear or if it starts affecting day-to-day activity.

The most efficient way to cope with Pediophobia is to avoid triggers that induce fear. Other self-help techniques you can follow are:

• Visualisation: It involves visualising a successful outcome when encountering the object of your fear. However, if it is too triggering, take the help of a professional who can guide you.
• Relaxation Techniques: Another result-oriented technique you can adopt includes meditation or other progressive relaxation techniques. It helps reduce tension from the phobia.
• Group Therapy: You can also look to carry out group therapy. Connecting to people who experience similar kinds of fear helps gain support.

This is all the information on Pediophobia, including what type of fear it is, its causes, symptoms, treatment and diagnosis method. Read it to find out if you or your kid need medical help and the therapies that will help you overcome it. Also, follow the coping methods to manage its symptoms in a better way.