Fear of aging appears in a person on a psychological level and begins to manifest itself at the age of 35-40 years. This is a normal state, if in the future such fear does not turn into a phobia.
Throughout life, people think about aging, and the older they get, the more often these thoughts arise. If these are just fleeting memories of youth or slight sadness, then there is nothing wrong with that. Natural processes occurring in the body should not frighten or create internal tension, in which obsessive thoughts gradually appear. All people age, it is important to accept and try to live for today.
Sometimes, thoughts about old age become too intrusive and a person gradually brings himself to a phobia. Anxiety about your appearance, trying to look significantly younger, and unwillingness to accept your age result in behavioral changes that cannot be perceived as normal.
In addition, do not forget that very often, under the influence of imposed stereotypes about the life of old people, diseases that cannot be cured in old age, lack of work, money, full-fledged communication in old age, some may experience rejection of their own old age and an attempt to “stop time . On this basis, with a high probability, fear or phobia will also arise. You don't need to look for the negativity that awaits you, because this may not actually happen.
Life takes place in the present moment, not "tomorrow", human aging is inevitable, and the fears that arise in this regard deprive you of a full life.
Manifestations of gerontophobia
Quite often, people suffering from a phobia begin to behave more aggressively, often get angry, offended, angry for no particular reason.
Those who experience fear of aging in the form of phobias try to exclude the possibility of communication with their peers and older people. It is unpleasant for them to be near the old people and even touching them causes a negative reaction.
At the same time, the feeling of guilt in relation to their relatives who are in old age may increase, because the person believes that he is not showing enough attention and care. But she cannot do anything about it because of her own fear.
Gerontophobia is accompanied by the appearance of somatic diseases and mental disorders. Among them:
- hypertension;
- tachycardia;
- deterioration in brain function;
- dyspnea;
- memory loss;
- depression;
- panic attacks.
The consequences of the fear of old age
In the absence of treatment, the disease begins to progress and become chronic.
Among the consequences of a phobia untreated in time, one can note:
- Deterioration of potency in men, male weakness, inability to declare oneself as a full-fledged man.
- The development of dementia, which later turns into Alzheimer's disease.
- Inappropriate behavior towards others, rudeness, aggression, loss of control over their actions, inability to fully perform their work.
- Immersion in an illusory reality. Inability to live in the real world and perceive it adequately. A person suffering from a phobia begins to create a non-existent world for himself and tries to live in it, coming up with his own rules, laws and even rituals that will keep him young. Sometimes the passion for plastic surgery, the fear of gaining extra pounds of weight, endless diets and visits to cosmetologists are also a ritual action arising under the influence of the fear of aging.
Only a psychotherapist or psychologist can provide assistance in the treatment of gerontophobia, and a timely appeal to a selected specialist will allow you to get rid of the fear of aging and live a busy life.
