Neophobia

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Neophobia

Neophobia (/niːoʊˈfoʊbiə/; from Greek νέος neos, "new", and φόβος phobos, "fear") is the fear of anything new, especially a persistent and abnormal fear. In its milder form, it can manifest as the unwillingness to try new things or break from routine. In its more severe form, it can significantly impair individual functioning and quality of life.

Etymology

The term Neophobia comes from the Greek words "νέος" (neos), meaning new, and "φόβος" (phobos), meaning fear. It was first used in the psychological context in the early 20th century to describe a condition where individuals show an irrational fear towards new or unfamiliar experiences.

Related Terms

  • Phobia: An excessive and irrational fear reaction. Neophobia is a specific type of phobia.
  • Xenophobia: A fear or hatred of that which is perceived to be foreign or strange. It can be seen as a specific subset of neophobia.
  • Agoraphobia: An anxiety disorder characterized by symptoms of anxiety in situations where the person perceives their environment to be unsafe with no easy way to escape. It can be related to neophobia as unfamiliar environments can trigger the fear.
  • Anxiety disorder: A group of mental disorders characterized by significant feelings of anxiety and fear. Neophobia is a form of anxiety disorder.

See Also

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
  • Marks, I. M. (1987). Fears, phobias, and rituals: Panic, anxiety, and their disorders. New York: Oxford University Press.

External links

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