Pediophobia, or the fear of dolls, is a common fear that can begin in childhood or develop suddenly. It can take many forms, including fear of lifelike or animated dolls. Overcoming this fear may require therapy or desensitization techniques.
There are countless fears or phobias for people of all ages and walks of life, and pediophobia, or the fear of dolls, is a fairly common fear. This phobia may begin in early childhood and continue as a lifelong fear, or a fear of dolls may develop suddenly in some individuals. In these cases, a certain event can trigger a kind of doll anxiety. In some cases, an unpleasant association with a doll can elicit fear or panic when a doll is present.
While it is difficult to estimate the actual percentage of the population that may be affected by this phobia, it is estimated that fear of dolls may be more common than some people realize. This may be because many people with this phobia deal with it in secret and do not seek professional help. Pediophobia can take many forms, including a fear of lifelike dolls that seem to “fix” themselves, or robotic-type toys, dummies, ventriloquism dummies, and even some stuffed animals.
Animated dolls that walk or talk are generally a common object of fear for the person who is affected by this phobia. Some individuals feel very uncomfortable with the presence of a doll that displays human characteristics. Dolls that have lifelike voices can arouse fear in people prone to pediophobia.
There are some individuals who have a strong fear of dolls that represent a particular classification or gender. One example is lifelike dolls inspired by real-life newborns. Sometimes known as “pretend babies” or reborn dolls, these really look like babies.
Other fears of dolls can create anxiety when a person looks at a store mannequin. Some individuals suffering from this fear may avoid going to department stores known to have these displays. If such disorders disrupt one’s routine, experts say they can spiral out of control and control one’s life if not properly treated.
In many cases, overcoming your fear of dolls may involve extensive therapy. Some individuals may find hypnosis an effective treatment. Learning what events may have triggered the irrational and often deep-seated anxiety is generally crucial to finding an effective cure.
Desensitization techniques can be implemented when treating a patient who has a fear of dolls. The method consists in gradually introducing a doll or dolls to the patient under the close supervision of a therapist. In other cases, programs implementing special software may attempt to successfully “reprogram” the patient’s irrational thoughts and underlying fears.
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