Gerontophobia is an extreme fear of growing old or the elderly, causing anxiety attacks and withdrawal from daily activities. Treatment includes cognitive behavioral therapy, counseling, and medication.
Gerontophobia is an extreme fear of growing old or fear of the elderly. Also known as gerascophobia, the word gerontophobia comes from geronto, which means old age from the Greek geronta, and -phobia from the Greek phobos, which means morbid fear. For some it includes only the fear of getting old, while others fear the elderly, and in some people who suffer from it, fear both.
Most people are scared of something, whether it’s spiders, flying, or clowns. Phobias differ from fears in that they can affect the quality of life by causing the person to suffer negatively and often by causing withdrawal from daily activities such as work or social engagements. The condition can reach such severe levels that the sufferer will feel unable to go to the shops or venture out of the front door for fear of seeing an elderly person. Anyone suffering from a phobia such as gerontophobia, which is negatively affecting their life, should urgently seek psychological help.
The symptoms of gerontophobia are similar to those experienced by any other anxiety-type disorder and are usually manifested by signs of an anxiety attack. These can be caused by thoughts of aging or by contact with an older person and are usually uncontrollable. Well-known symptoms of anxiety attacks can include sweating, shaking, drop in blood pressure, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, and inability to speak. The occurrence of such attacks in people suffering from gerontophobia can cause withdrawal from society and require urgent medical attention.
Treatment of phobias such as gerontophobia is usually multi-pronged. Depending on the severity of the disorder, your doctor will recommend the best option or options. In most cases treatment will include regular sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy and counseling with a psychologist or counselor. Often group therapy is also useful for people who suffer from phobias. Some people may have multiple psychiatric disorders, any of which may need treatment.
In some cases, medications may be prescribed to treat the anxiety associated with gerontophobia or to treat any underlying disorders. In severe cases, an initial admission to a psychiatric hospital may be required but, in most cases, treatment will be outpatient. Treatment is usually long-term and requires the patient to attend both psychiatric and counseling appointments regularly. With the right treatment program, gerontophobia can be successfully managed to allow the person suffering from it to return to their normal life.
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