Jump to content

Balloon phobia: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Danedt (talk | contribs)
41 edits
Removed 'The Blackwell Companion to Globalization' reference, since it has nothing to do with balloons. The source uses the term 'globophobia' in the context of globalization (which is obviously a wrong use).
 
(152 intermediate revisions by 85 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Fear of balloons}}
{{multiple issues|
{{wiktionary|globophobia}}
{{Underlinked|date=June 2013}}
[[File:Congrats bqt.jpg|thumb|People with globophobia might avoid parties in fear of balloons being present.<ref name=CPD/>]]
{{Orphan|date=June 2013}}
}}


'''Balloon phobia''' or '''globophobia''' is a fear of [[balloon]]s.<ref name=jstor43513144/> The most common source of fear is the sound of balloons popping, but individuals can also be triggered by their texture and smell.<ref name=CPD>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Nicole |date=2022-09-16 |title=What is Globophobia? |url=https://cpdonline.co.uk/knowledge-base/mental-health/globophobia/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=CPD Online College |language=en-GB}}</ref>
'''Globophobia''' is a fear of [[balloon]]s.<ref>http://voices.yahoo.com/uncommon-phobias-fear-balloons-338043.html?cat=72</ref>


Generally, people with globophobia will refuse to touch, feel, smell, or go near a balloon for fear it will burst.<ref name=Sep1993>{{cite journal |last1=Houlihan |first1=D |last2=Schwartz |first2=C |date=September 1993 |title=The rapid treatment of a young man's balloon (noise) phobia using in vivo flooding. |journal=J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry |volume=24 |issue=3 |pages=233–40 |doi=10.1016/0005-7916(93)90026-s |pmid=8188847}}</ref>
Globophobia is the fear of balloons. Most people who suffer from globophobia usually have [[phonophobia]] as well, which is a fear of loud, sudden noises. Globophobics tend to avoid parties and special occasions such as birthday parties, weddings, or any other festivities that may involve balloons as decorations. Globophobia is not as common as other phobias, but is still experienced by many. Generally, globophobics will refuse to touch, feel, or go near a balloon for fear it will pop. Globophobics tend not to trust people who have a balloon in their hand or anywhere near them, especially children. Some globophobics are fearful of going out because they feel scared/anxious that there will be a balloon around the corner.


Globophobia originates from the Latin word Globus meaning sphere and the Greek word Phobos which translates to fear.<ref name=practical>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-18 |title=Fear of Balloons&nbsp;— Globophobia |url=https://practicalpie.com/fear-of-balloons-globophobia/ |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=Practical Psychology |language=en-US}}</ref>
⚫
==References==
<references />


This is a form of [[phonophobia]].
⚫
[[Category:Mental health]]

== Signs and symptoms ==
Indications that someone suffers from Globophobia include:

* Feelings of intense fear and anxiety from balloons
* A fear of balloons that lasts a minimum of six months
* Engaging in avoidance behavior when in the presence of balloons
* A fear of balloons that interferes with day-to-day life

Globophobia has numerous symptoms, and most of them overlap with [[Anxiety disorder|anxiety]].<ref name=FEAROF>{{Cite web |date=2014-02-18 |title=Fear of Balloons Phobia&nbsp;— Globophobia |url=https://www.fearof.net/fear-of-balloons-phobia-globophobia/ |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=FEAROF |language=en-US}}</ref> Some symptoms of globophobia are:

* Rapid or shallow breathing
* Palpitations
* Shaking, trembling, sweating, and chills
* Gastrointestinal distress, including nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain
* Feeling dizzy or light-headed
* Difficulties swallowing or feeling like something is stuck in one's throat
* A prickling sensation, similar to pins and needles
* A dry or sticky mouth
* Feeling confused or disoriented
* Muscle tension
* Unusual or severe headaches
* Unusual flushing or paleness, particularly in one's face
* Feeling extremely hot or cold
* Fatigue or tiredness
* A lack of appetite
* Insomnia

== Causes ==
Globophobia can be the result of a negative or traumatic experience with balloons, negative depictions of balloons, or a traumatic event somehow connected to balloons.<ref name=CPD/> For example, a loud noise could sound similar to a balloon popping. These negative experiences usually occur during childhood, and globophobia is most prevalent among young children.<ref name=FEAROF/>

Other factors that can increase the likelihood of someone developing Globophobia include:

* Having a sensory processing disorder, like [[Autism spectrum|autism]]
* Having another related phobia, such as [[phonophobia]] or [[coulrophobia]]
* Having a history of anxiety, [[Depression in childhood and adolescence|depression]], or panic attacks
* Being a naturally more anxious or fearful person
* Having heightened stress levels

== Treatment ==

=== Response prevention therapy ===
Response prevention is a type of exposure therapy. When dealing with patients with globophobia, a doctor roughly handles a barely inflated balloon in the presence of a patient.<ref name=jstor43513144>{{Cite journal |last=Brewer |first=Colin |year=2013 |title=Balloon phobia |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43513144 |journal=BMJ: British Medical Journal |volume=347 |issue=7932 |pages=39 |doi=10.1136/bmj.f6652 |jstor=43513144 |pmid=24192971 |s2cid=31517200 |issn=0959-8138}}</ref> The patient will eventually hold the balloon themself to understand that it is not full enough to pop.<ref name=jstor43513144/> The balloon will then gradually become more inflated, and once it is filled enough to pop, squeaky noises should be intentionally produced by the balloon.<ref name=jstor43513144/> The patients are expected to be frightened by this action, so they should stand a great distance from the balloon and gradually move closer once they feel more comfortable.<ref name=jstor43513144/> The same process of patients moving closer to the balloon should be followed except the balloon will pop this time.<ref name=jstor43513144/> This practice aims to assure people with globophobia that the noises balloons make are not harmful.<ref name=jstor43513144/> Patients are expected to not be as tense and apprehensive around balloons and the sounds they produce following exposure therapy.<ref name=jstor43513144/>

=== In vivo flooding ===
This form of exposure therapy was performed on a college-aged student with globophobia.<ref name=Sep1993/> Before the experiment, the unnamed male reports that he tries to avoid balloons at all costs due to the great amount of distress they place on him.<ref name=Sep1993/> He claims that he cannot be any less than four feet away from a balloon without feeling intense fear.<ref name=Sep1993/> The experiment is conducted over the course of three days and involves the subject being surrounded by hundreds of balloons that are simultaneously popping.<ref name=Sep1993/> The researchers found no clear signs of emotional distress of the man but noted him attempting to avoid the popping balloons.<ref name=Sep1993/> Following the experiment's conclusion, the subject states that he does not attempt to avoid situations that may involve balloons anymore.<ref name=Sep1993/> He has also reported that no additional balloon-related problems have intervened with his daily life.<ref name=Sep1993/>

=== Cognitive behavioral therapy ===
[[Cognitive behavioral therapy]] or CBT is a common practice used to treat phobias.<ref name=CPD/> It works "by deconstructing negative thought patterns surrounding balloons into smaller parts which will be focused on one at a time".<ref name=CPD/>

=== Clinical hypnotherapy ===
[[Hypnotherapy]] involves relaxation techniques that assist in reducing stress, fear, and anxiety responses.<ref name=CPD/> The objective of hypnotherapy sessions is to alter negative thoughts and memories surrounding balloons to generate a less fearful perception on them.<ref name=CPD/>

=== Neuro linguistic memory manipulations ===
Neuro linguistic memory manipulations or NLP manipulations entail "seeing yourself and your fears as if you are a third party" to detach yourself from the fear and to minimize the severity of distress balloons might produce.<ref name=FEAROF/>

=== Medication ===
Potential medications to use to treat globophobia include [[beta blocker]]s, [[selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor]]s (SSRIs), sedatives, and anti-anxiety relievers.<ref name=CPD/>

== Diagnosis ==
The [[DSM-5|Diagnostic and Statistical Manual]], 5th edition (DMS-5) does not include every single phobia, so globophobia is not mentioned.<ref name=practical/> Mental health professionals can instead diagnose patients with a "specific phobia", like globophobia which is "an umbrella term that describes any phobia of a specific object or situation".<ref name=practical/>

== Notable cases ==

* [[Oprah Winfrey]], American talk show host<ref name=FEAROF/>

⚫
== References ==
{{Reflist}}

⚫
[[Category:Phobias]]
[[Category:Balloons]]

Latest revision as of 10:15, 7 November 2024

Look up globophobia in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
People with globophobia might avoid parties in fear of balloons being present.[1]

Balloon phobia or globophobia is a fear of balloons.[2] The most common source of fear is the sound of balloons popping, but individuals can also be triggered by their texture and smell.[1]

Generally, people with globophobia will refuse to touch, feel, smell, or go near a balloon for fear it will burst.[3]

Globophobia originates from the Latin word Globus meaning sphere and the Greek word Phobos which translates to fear.[4]

This is a form of phonophobia.

Signs and symptoms

[edit]

Indications that someone suffers from Globophobia include:

  • Feelings of intense fear and anxiety from balloons
  • A fear of balloons that lasts a minimum of six months
  • Engaging in avoidance behavior when in the presence of balloons
  • A fear of balloons that interferes with day-to-day life

Globophobia has numerous symptoms, and most of them overlap with anxiety.[5] Some symptoms of globophobia are:

  • Rapid or shallow breathing
  • Palpitations
  • Shaking, trembling, sweating, and chills
  • Gastrointestinal distress, including nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain
  • Feeling dizzy or light-headed
  • Difficulties swallowing or feeling like something is stuck in one's throat
  • A prickling sensation, similar to pins and needles
  • A dry or sticky mouth
  • Feeling confused or disoriented
  • Muscle tension
  • Unusual or severe headaches
  • Unusual flushing or paleness, particularly in one's face
  • Feeling extremely hot or cold
  • Fatigue or tiredness
  • A lack of appetite
  • Insomnia

Causes

[edit]

Globophobia can be the result of a negative or traumatic experience with balloons, negative depictions of balloons, or a traumatic event somehow connected to balloons.[1] For example, a loud noise could sound similar to a balloon popping. These negative experiences usually occur during childhood, and globophobia is most prevalent among young children.[5]

Other factors that can increase the likelihood of someone developing Globophobia include:

  • Having a sensory processing disorder, like autism
  • Having another related phobia, such as phonophobia or coulrophobia
  • Having a history of anxiety, depression, or panic attacks
  • Being a naturally more anxious or fearful person
  • Having heightened stress levels

Treatment

[edit]

Response prevention therapy

[edit]

Response prevention is a type of exposure therapy. When dealing with patients with globophobia, a doctor roughly handles a barely inflated balloon in the presence of a patient.[2] The patient will eventually hold the balloon themself to understand that it is not full enough to pop.[2] The balloon will then gradually become more inflated, and once it is filled enough to pop, squeaky noises should be intentionally produced by the balloon.[2] The patients are expected to be frightened by this action, so they should stand a great distance from the balloon and gradually move closer once they feel more comfortable.[2] The same process of patients moving closer to the balloon should be followed except the balloon will pop this time.[2] This practice aims to assure people with globophobia that the noises balloons make are not harmful.[2] Patients are expected to not be as tense and apprehensive around balloons and the sounds they produce following exposure therapy.[2]

In vivo flooding

[edit]

This form of exposure therapy was performed on a college-aged student with globophobia.[3] Before the experiment, the unnamed male reports that he tries to avoid balloons at all costs due to the great amount of distress they place on him.[3] He claims that he cannot be any less than four feet away from a balloon without feeling intense fear.[3] The experiment is conducted over the course of three days and involves the subject being surrounded by hundreds of balloons that are simultaneously popping.[3] The researchers found no clear signs of emotional distress of the man but noted him attempting to avoid the popping balloons.[3] Following the experiment's conclusion, the subject states that he does not attempt to avoid situations that may involve balloons anymore.[3] He has also reported that no additional balloon-related problems have intervened with his daily life.[3]

Cognitive behavioral therapy

[edit]

Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT is a common practice used to treat phobias.[1] It works "by deconstructing negative thought patterns surrounding balloons into smaller parts which will be focused on one at a time".[1]

Clinical hypnotherapy

[edit]

Hypnotherapy involves relaxation techniques that assist in reducing stress, fear, and anxiety responses.[1] The objective of hypnotherapy sessions is to alter negative thoughts and memories surrounding balloons to generate a less fearful perception on them.[1]

Neuro linguistic memory manipulations

[edit]

Neuro linguistic memory manipulations or NLP manipulations entail "seeing yourself and your fears as if you are a third party" to detach yourself from the fear and to minimize the severity of distress balloons might produce.[5]

Medication

[edit]

Potential medications to use to treat globophobia include beta blockers, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), sedatives, and anti-anxiety relievers.[1]

Diagnosis

[edit]

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th edition (DMS-5) does not include every single phobia, so globophobia is not mentioned.[4] Mental health professionals can instead diagnose patients with a "specific phobia", like globophobia which is "an umbrella term that describes any phobia of a specific object or situation".[4]

Notable cases

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Murphy, Nicole (2022-09-16). "What is Globophobia?". CPD Online College. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Brewer, Colin (2013). "Balloon phobia". BMJ: British Medical Journal. 347 (7932): 39. doi:10.1136/bmj.f6652. ISSN 0959-8138. JSTOR 43513144. PMID 24192971. S2CID 31517200.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Houlihan, D; Schwartz, C (September 1993). "The rapid treatment of a young man's balloon (noise) phobia using in vivo flooding". J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 24 (3): 233–40. doi:10.1016/0005-7916(93)90026-s. PMID 8188847.
  4. ^ a b c "Fear of Balloons — Globophobia". Practical Psychology. 2022-05-18. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  5. ^ a b c d "Fear of Balloons Phobia — Globophobia". FEAROF. 2014-02-18. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Balloon_phobia&oldid=1255934325"