Rupophobia - The Fear of Dirt or Filth

What Is Rupophobia? Rupophobia is an overwhelming, irrational fear of dirt, filth and rubbish. The rupophobic individual may have a paralyzing fear of personal filth and/or of being contaminated by filth. At it's most extreme, the person coping with this phobia may compulsively clean themselves, their home and their belongings.

Sometimes referred to as Mysophobia, Rupophobia has it's origins in Greek. The word derives from "rhypos", meaning filth and "phobos" meaning fear.

What Causes Rupophobia?

As is the case with all phobias, the individual coping with Rupophobia has experienced some tragic event. That trauma is then automatically and consistently associated with dirt, filth and contamination.

Maybe the rupophobic individual's parents were excessively concerned about dirt or filth. Perhaps these parents were also compulsive cleaners. Maybe the rupophobic person lived in an area where there actually was an inordinate amount of filth or rubbish. Perhaps the phobic individual has knowledge of someone else living in these conditions. Maybe this person has seen media reports of the health risks to people who are forced to live in filth, dirt and rubbish as would be the case in poverty stricken areas of the world.

Whatever the cause, the rupophobic person can experience anxiety and emotional turmoil that is completely disruptive to their ability to function on a daily basis.

What Are the Symptoms of Rupophobia?

The symptoms of Rupophobia vary from person to person. Some people, when confronted with their fear, may begin to feel slightly uncomfortable, begin to perspire or feel nauseated. At the opposite end of the spectrum, other individuals are so severely impacted by this phobia, that they can experience crippling anxiety and/or panic attacks.

Other symptoms of Rupophobia can include:

* Heart Palpitations

* Heightened Senses

* Breathlessness

* Feeling Dizzy

* Muscle Tension

* Hyperventilation

* Numbness

* Trembling

* Rapid Heartbeat

* Feeling Out of Control

* Feeling Trapped and Unable to Escape

* Overwhelming Feeling of Anticipated Disaster

How Is Rupophobia Diagnosed?

The vast majority of cases of Rupophobia are self-diagnosed. The individual realizes that their fear is irrational and that it is severely compromising their daily functioning.

The rupophobic person may discuss their phobia with the primary physician. Rarely would the doctor diagnosis Rupophobia based on that initial discussion with the patient. More routinely, after ruling out any physical reasons for the phobia, the doctor will refer the person to a mental health professional for more comprehensive assessment and evaluation.

How Is Rupophobia Treated?

When the fear of dirt and filth becomes so intense as to disrupt an individual's ability to function, there a number of different ways to treat Rupophobia.

These treatment methods can include:

* Exposure Therapy.

* Hypnotherapy.

* A referral from the primary physician to a therapist who specializes in the treatment of phobias.

* Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Desensitization Therapy.

* Traditional "talk" therapy that will teach the person to recognize and cope with their phobia.

* Self-help techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation.

* Support groups with other people coping with this specific phobia.

* Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or visualization.

* In extreme cases of Rupophobia, anti-anxiety medications can be prescribed.

Rupophobia is an intense, irrational fear of dirt, filth and rubbish. Sometimes that fear can become so overwhelming as to halt a person's ability to function on a daily basis. Unchecked, Rupophobia can become a debilitating condition that interferes with an individual's personal life, their social life and job responsibilities. Untreated, Rupophobia can impact every aspect of a person's life.