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To be clear, ablutophobia isnt just an aversion to the act of cleaning yourself.
What are the symptoms of ablutophobia?
The symptoms of ablutophobia include distress in response to bathing.
(Some other specific phobias includegermaphobia,entomophobia, andaerophobia, for example.)
A person with ablutophobia has experienced this fear for a long time and across prefs.
licensed clinical professional counselor and certified clinical anxiety therapist
Here are other specific symptoms of ablutophobia, according to Dr. Braun:
How rare is ablutophobia?
How is ablutophobia diagnosed?
Fifty percent of the population has what we call non-clinical fear of something, Dr. Chapman explains.
Why would a person not want to bathe?
A person might not want to bathe for any number of reasons, regardless of whether theyre ablutophobic.
Someone who doesnt like bathing may find it inconvenient, unhelpful, or annoying, Dr. Braun explains.
To be clear, ablutophobia is quite different from a general aversion to bathing.
What triggers ablutophobia?
While it is also possible for adults to develop ablutophobia, she adds, this scenario is less common.
licensed clinical professional counselor and certified clinical anxiety therapist
Phobias typically develop as a result ofthree main pathways3, Dr. Chapman explains.
Each primary pathway is further explained below.
Their brains associate bathing with a traumatic experience which leads to intense fear and avoidance.
For example, children may observe a sibling or their parent displaying fear and anxiety related to bathing.
They learn that bathing is not a safe activity and develop an intense fear, Dr. Braun says.
Who is most likely to develop ablutophobia?
Genetic predisposition4plays an important role as well.
What are the complications of ablutophobia?
It impairs your activities of daily living, says Dr. Chapman.
When it comes to ablutophobia, the immediate complication is poor physical hygiene, Dr. Braun adds.
Not bathing can lead to illness, infections, dental problems, and other health issues.
Moreover, ablutophobia can be time-consuming and make routine activities a challenge, says Dr. Braun.
In turn, the condition can affect school performance in children and overall productivity in adults, she adds.
How do I get rid of ablutophobia?
Exposure is based upon confronting the feared object or situation until new learning occurs in the brain.
The key with CBT is learning a new non-threatening association in the brain, says Dr. Chapman.
So, parents dont need to coddle.
To help your toddler move past their ablutophobia, Dr. Braun recommends the following:
1.
Gradual exposure
Slowly introduce the child to the bathing process, Dr. Braun explains.
Start with activities that are not stress-inducing like playing with bath toys in the hallway or living room.
This can make bath time feel less intimidating and give them confidence.
This helps rewire the negative association in their brain with bath time, Dr. Braun says.
Creating a positive environment is key to helping children overcome ablutophobia.
This can help reduce feelings of fear and helplessness, Dr. Braun says.
Use praise and rewards for each step your child shows toward overcoming their fear.
Positive reinforcement changes behavior much faster than punishment.
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