Catagelophobia Fear of being ridiculed
People who have an abnormal fear of getting ridiculed, suffer with a condition called catagelophobia. All of us face teasing or ridicule at some point of our lives, but most of us get through by coping in our own personal ways. However people with this phobia take mockery or being laughed at seriously and personally and consider it to be the worst thing that can possibly happen to them.
This fear of being ridiculed may begin in the early years of childhood. Children are more sensitive emotionally and any exposure to harsh criticism or condemnation leads to a hurt and offended psyche. Children who grow up in an environment lacking affection and love can suffer from low self-esteem. This can mean sufferers may become reclusive and withdrawn. Catagelophobia causes sufferers to avoid others as they have a general and in many cases unreasonable fear of getting mocked or teased.
The symptoms of this phobia can vary among those affected and depend on the intensity of fear the sufferer has developed. Because this phobia is often deep rooted in the affected personâs psyche, managing or controlling it may seem a difficult or insurmountable task. Those with severe symptoms associated with this phobia can become hypersensitive in their reactions and may even on occasions, flee from a place they think they will be ridiculed.
