Phobias: Zelophobia, The Fear of Jealousy

Zelophobia is the persistent, irrational fear of jealousy and/or of intense emotion. Zelophobic individuals can be so severely impacted by this phobia as to completely repress all emotions. Zelophobia can result in the individual feeling no emotion at all and of being at risk for other mental health impairments.

Zelophobia derives from the Greek word "zelos", meaning zeal and "phobos" meaning fear.

What Causes Zelophobia?

As is the case with all phobias, the person suffering with Zelophobia has experienced some form of trauma during their life. That traumatic event is then automatically associated with the fear of jealousy and the expression of strong emotions.

Perhaps the zelophobic person experienced the trauma of another person acting intensely emotional and verbally aggressive. Maybe, as a child, this individual was punished for expressing emotion. Perhaps the person coping with Zelophobia watched others who refused or were unable to express emotion and simply learned to imitate that behavior.

Whatever the specific cause, the zelophobic individual can experience anxiety and emotional turmoil that is completely disruptive to daily functioning.

What Are the Symptoms of Zelophobia?

The symptoms of Zelophobia are individual and will vary from person to person. Some people, when confronted with their fear, may feel a bit uncomfortable, become nauseated or begin to perspire. At the extreme end of the spectrum, other people are so severely compromised by this phobia, that they experience full blown anxiety and/or panic attacks.

Other symptoms of Zelophobia can include:

* A Dry Mouth

* Breathlessness

* Heightened Senses

* Feeling Dizzy

* Muscle Tension

* Trembling

* Rapid Heartbeat

* Hyperventilation

* Feeling Out of Control

* Feeling Trapped and Unable to Escape

*Overwhelming Feeling of Impending Disaster

How Is Zelophobia Diagnosed?

The majority of cases of Zelophobia are self-diagnosed. The individual realizes that their fear of jealousy and intense emotion is irrational and is severely compromising their ability to function on a daily basis.

The zelophobic person may then schedule and appointment with their doctor to discuss their fear. Rarely will the doctor diagnosis Zelophobia based on that initial discussion. More routinely, after ruling out any physical reason for this phobia, the doctor will refer the person to a mental health professional for further assessment and evaluation.

How Is Zelophobia Treated?

When the fear of jealousy and/or intense emotion becomes so overwhelming as to disrupt a person's ability to function, there are a variety of ways to treat Zelophobia. These can include:

* A referral from the primary physician to a therapist who specifically treats phobias.

* Traditional "talk" therapy that will help the person to learn to recognize and control their phobia.

* Exposure Therapy.

* Hypnotherapy.

* Self-help techniques.

* Support groups with other people coping with this phobia.

* Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Desensitization Therapy.

* Relaxation techniques.

* In severe cases of Zelophobia, anti-anxiety medication can be prescribed.

Zelophobia is an intense, irrational fear of jealousy and/or of intense emotions. Sometimes that fear can become so intense as to stop a person's ability to function on a daily basis. Unchecked, Zelophobia can become a debilitating condition that interferes with the person's social life, their personal life and their job responsibilities. Untreated, Zelophobia touches every aspect of a person's life.