Medication phobia
Medication Phobia
Medication phobia (pronunciation: /mɛdɪˈkeɪʃən ˈfoʊbiə/) is a type of specific phobia characterized by an intense, irrational fear of taking medications.
Etymology
The term "Medication phobia" is derived from the English word "Medication", referring to drugs used to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent diseases, and the Greek word "Phobos", meaning fear.
Definition
Medication phobia is a psychological condition where an individual has a persistent and excessive fear of taking medication. This fear can be triggered by various factors such as fear of side effects, fear of addiction, or fear of the medication itself. The fear is so intense that it interferes with the person's ability to maintain proper health care and can lead to serious health consequences if not addressed.
Symptoms
Symptoms of medication phobia can vary from person to person but often include extreme anxiety, panic attacks, avoidance behavior, and physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, and heart palpitations when faced with the prospect of taking medication.
Related Terms
- Pharmacophobia: An extreme fear of taking medication, often used interchangeably with medication phobia.
- Nocebo effect: A negative effect caused by the belief that a medication will cause harm.
- Health anxiety: An excessive worry about having a serious illness, which can be exacerbated by medication phobia.
- Specific phobia: A type of anxiety disorder characterized by an excessive and irrational fear of a specific situation, object, or activity, such as taking medication.
Treatment
Treatment for medication phobia often involves cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps individuals understand and change thought patterns that lead to fear and anxiety. Medication may also be used to help manage symptoms of anxiety.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Medication phobia
- Wikipedia's article - Medication phobia
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