Fear of the unknown is familiar to many people. It is this feeling that makes a person refuse to make changes in life, and increased anxiety leads to inaction. Of course, caution is necessary, but it is impossible to live in anticipation of unfavorable events and at the same time maintain peace of mind.
Being in a comfort zone, an individual always knows what awaits him in the future. When an established system fails, panic begins. When it comes to phobias, the intervention of a specialist can stop the destructive process. Psychiatrists also call agnosophobia an elusive fear.
What is fear of the unknown
Fear of the unknown is one of the common fears that haunt a person even in adulthood. Fear of the dark belongs to this phobia, since it is impossible to see what is happening in it. The brain turns on fantasy, and a variety of thoughts come to mind.
People are often frightened by the unknown of the future, which is why the services of clairvoyants and fortune-tellers are so popular. When an individual tries to control everything, he is in an anxious state. The fact is that control is only an action that distracts from anxiety. A clear plan provides motivation for action, but most people prefer to stay at the same level rather than take risks to achieve something greater.
What it is
The older a person gets, the more pronounced this fear becomes.
Not every average person knows what fear of the unknown is called, and even fewer people are aware of it. Symptoms of a phobia manifest themselves situationally and it can be difficult even for specialists to recognize it.
Psychologists say that agnosophobia is an elusive fear that is difficult to diagnose and can only be treated in advanced cases.
The fact is that every person has a fear of change and the unknown. This is fine. This is how the self-preservation instinct works. By overcoming it and making decisions, the exact consequences of which are still unknown, people change their lives and often make it qualitatively better, they grow above themselves. Basically, this feeling occurs before very important events in a person’s life.
The possibility of choice and not knowing what will happen next frightens many
As a rule, it all starts at school age. At first, it is a minor fear of tests that affect quarter grades. Later, fear arises on the eve of final or entrance exams. Fear of the unknown is accompanied by events such as changing jobs, getting married, or moving to another place. All these factors are frightening and are normal if a person overcomes these emotions with a small effort of will.
Sometimes the anxiety is too strong. It is difficult for a person to make an important decision that affects fate; he begins to avoid it, worsening the quality of his own life. Anxiety increases and other problems appear. In this case, you should contact a specialist.
Causes
Fear of the unknown overtakes a person when he expects a significant event in life. These could be entrance exams, moving to a new job, or a long trip. Scientists say that the fear of new things is inherent in the body at the genetic level. The ancestors of people who lived on earth millions of years ago could not get rid of anxiety in the dark.
These creatures had no protection and often died due to the invasion of predators. But there is a difference between past fear and its present manifestation. Psychology has identified the following reasons for fear of the unknown:
- fear of being in trouble;
- lack of self-confidence;
- fear of losing everything you have.
Doctors recommended that people suffering from phobia undergo a brain examination. After analyzing the results, doctors saw that the patients had enlarged individual brain structures: the amygdala and the insular lobe of the organ. Similar changes were found in those who complained of symptoms of depression.
Who is most susceptible to agnosophobia?
In early childhood, the unknown does not frighten the child. During school, children still enjoy carelessness, but as they approach their senior year, a person is overcome by the fear of the unknown. He must make the right choice in order to build his future.
In an educational institution, there are two scenarios for the development of events: having learned the lesson, the student will receive a good grade, but for failure to complete the task, he will receive a negative mark. Adult life is more complicated; a lot can depend on the decision you make.
Factors provoking the development of agnosophobia
Such phobias most often occur in anxious people
While examining patients of psychotherapists, doctors noticed one interesting fact. People suffering from depression and various phobias have an enlarged insula and amygdala. According to scientists, the tendency to anxiety and negative emotions is a consequence of the physiological structure of the brain.
Everything is aggravated by the destructive fear of the unknown. It occurs in people who:
- are permanently afraid of being in trouble;
- experience a terrible fear of losing everything they currently have;
- not confident in their own abilities.
Experts note: the older a person gets, the more pronounced his described fears are. For example, children do not care about the consequences of individual actions, but as a person grows up and develops values, more and more fears arise. It is more difficult for him to decide on something new and break already established patterns.
Patterns of human behavior
Psychologists know what the fear of the unknown is called. Agnosophobia occurs in response to negative thoughts created by the person himself. If an individual from birth has such traits as anxiety and suspiciousness, then he is inclined to predict a negative outcome of events. Experts have identified 5 behavior patterns of people suffering from this phobia.
Planner
A planner is a person who has plans for the future. He does not tolerate the slightest violation, and any changes cause panic in such an individual. Psychologists recommend that planners sometimes introduce something new into their lives and thereby overcome the fear of the unknown.
Owner
The owner values reliability in everything. He has his own opinion about a successful life and what attributes should correspond to a high standard of living. But you cannot trust stereotypes, since happiness has its own characteristics for each person. It is important to experience new emotions in order to understand what an individual really likes.
Opportunist
Fear of the unknown was beneficial to ancient people, but today it is harmful. The opportunist tries to get used to living in constant fear. Psychologists advise getting out of your comfort zone towards new experiences and starting small: gaining new skills.
Defeatist
A person who is afraid to make the slightest mistake will be called a defeatist. He is unable to move forward, since he is already set up for an unfavorable outcome.
Maximalist
Agnosophobia leads the maximalist to the belief that he cannot do everything perfectly. Which means it’s not worth trying. It is also a form of fear of making mistakes.
Reasons for fear of loneliness
The causes of any phobia are usually securely hidden in the human subconscious, so it is difficult to get rid of them. Without knowing the reason, it is impossible to solve the problem. Experienced psychotherapists at the KORSAKOV medical clinic will determine the cause of autophobia in each specific case.
Often the reasons for the fear of loneliness must be sought in childhood. For example, children who are subject to excessive demands begin to experience fear when alone. It is based on a fear of responsibility. With age, this fear only grows. Autophobia can also arise due to the sudden loss of someone close.
Women's fear of loneliness is due to the fear of not getting married or starting a family. This is due to low self-esteem and an inferiority complex that develops due to critical comments about her appearance.
Sometimes the reason for the fear of loneliness is fear of the future, the unknown, and also old age. Elderly people are afraid to spend the rest of their lives alone, because it seems to them that everyone has forgotten about them, they are lonely and no one needs them. In severe cases, there are even suicide attempts. Therefore, you should not delay contacting doctors - you can even call a medical specialist to your home at any time of the day.
Symptoms of agnosophobia
Fear of the unknown appears due to the anticipation of any event that worries a person. In this case, the following symptoms are observed:
- loss of appetite;
- fever and chills;
- absent-mindedness.
Fear of the unknown prevents a person from living and working. In severe cases, sleep disturbances and high blood pressure are also noted. Pathological fear of the unknown leads to the fact that a person constantly thinks about the negative outcome of the case.
Symptoms
Some people are afraid of losing what they have
It is difficult to detect a phobia, since the symptoms are not pronounced and make themselves felt on the eve of making important decisions. During these periods a person may be absent-minded and lose his appetite. Particularly suspicious people may develop a fever, although there are no physiological prerequisites for this.
During difficult periods of life, when such decisions need to be made one after another, a person may worry more. He has:
- sleep disorders;
- blood pressure problems;
- obsessive thoughts that everything will end badly.
How to get rid of the fear of the unknown
Fear of the unknown destroys life, so you need to fight this phobia now. Don’t be afraid to ask a psychologist your question; popular articles will help you understand the causes of anxiety. The famous psychologist Chris Smith created several rules that can normalize your state of mind.
The first rule is called “here and now”. Its essence is to temporarily forget about worries, look around and become aware of what is happening around you. Slowly inhale and exhale the air. Take at least three of these breaks every day.
The important point should be recorded. Notes will help you draw conclusions at the end of the year. Don't neglect your relatives and friends, spend more time with those you care about. Plan your time correctly, learn to use it for the benefit of your work.
Three exercises from Christophe Andre
French psychotherapist Christophe Andre has repeatedly studied fear of the unknown. He came up with exercises that can help you overcome your phobia. The first technique is called “Reporter”, it is aimed at getting used to the changes occurring around a person. In your free time, go to an unfamiliar place in order to explore it and write a short report with photos.
The second exercise is called “Upside down.” Thanks to him, you will learn to love everything new. In the evening, create a daily routine, and in the morning do the opposite. The final exercise is called “Becoming a Follower.” Invite your friend or colleague to write a daily routine for you and try to follow all the points. This way you will learn to trust people.
Brief information about fear
In our comfort zone, we always know what to expect. When this system is disrupted, we begin to panic and fear that something will happen that will radically change our living conditions. Almost all people are pessimists, and therefore, when there is a possibility of changes in life, we think only about the bad.
Phobia of the unknown needs treatment. If this is not done, a person will stand in one place in matters of his financial, moral and aesthetic development. Let's consider how to suppress the fear of the unknown.
Create the right environment for yourself
Having people around you who approve and support your desire for change helps you move forward. This could be anyone: friends, a psychologist or a mentor. The latter will support you, discover your strengths together with you, form a new picture of the world, record results and achievements. It’s also good if you are surrounded by at least one person who has already achieved what you dream of. This way you will move towards your goals, inspired by his successes.
The unknown inevitably causes stress
The earliest written definition of the fear of the unknown as one of the fundamental fears inherent in man is found in the American writer and philosopher Howard Lovecraft: “The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and most powerful kind of fear is the fear of the unknown.”
. His words were later confirmed by research by neuroscientists, who also emphasized the direct relationship between fear of the unknown and increased levels of stress and anxiety.
We are afraid of changes because when we decide on them, we take a lot of risks, because the result is always unpredictable. And it drives us crazy.
Find what works for you
It is important to explore what motivates you personally to take action, because the conditions for change are different for everyone. For some, competition ignites, and for others, it suppresses; for others, drawing up a detailed plan helps; for others, it is more important to take the first step, and deal with the consequences later; for some, it is convenient to move quickly, and for others, slowly, gradually. adapting to changes. Take the time to get to know yourself well and the conditions of change that are comfortable for you. This can be done independently or with a specialist.
The Yandex.Workshop team believes: everyone can change their life, everyone can learn new things, everyone can start today. Even if it didn't work out before. The course programs are designed for anyone who wants to master an in-demand digital profession or skills from scratch and is willing to devote time and effort to this, and experienced mentors can guide and help overcome difficulties.
Tatiana Podoprigora
Practicing clinical psychologist, consulting psychologist with five years of experience; works with themes of self-determination, changing professions, building relationships with others, with the world and with oneself
“It is important to understand that changes - in particular, a transition to a new profession - often affect the image of “I” and are inextricably linked with changes in identity, influencing what a person will think of himself in a new capacity. There are no universal instructions and algorithms that would suit all people. But a few simple steps will help you start the process of self-exploration and find your individual formula.”
We simultaneously want change and strive for stability
Human nature is extremely contradictory: on the one hand, we strive for progress because it brings with it new opportunities and improvements.
On the other hand, we subconsciously strive for stability; we may associate change with the abandonment of something time-tested and, therefore, obviously good in favor of something completely new and unknown. According to data published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, people consider longevity to be the main criterion for good quality. In one experiment in the study, student participants preferred the old course schedule to the new one, without even assessing whether the updated version included fewer course hours. Simply because the original version seemed more familiar to them. And when they later heard that the old schedule had remained unchanged for hundreds of years, the students were even more confirmed in their opinion.
Articulate your own value
If identity is built around the old profession, then after changing it a person is afraid of losing himself. The following questions will help here: “Who am I?”, “What am I?”, “Why do I value myself?”, “Why do others value me?”, “What do they ask me for?”
In different states, people tend to give different answers to these questions. For example, it is more difficult for a tired and depressed person to give himself a more sound critical assessment. So try asking yourself these questions in different states over a period of time - for example, every day for a couple of weeks. And collect at least ten answers for each.
