Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobiais the fear of long words. Also known assesquipedalophobia, this ironically named phobia is based on a Latin term that means “long word.”
Almost everyone can struggle with pronouncing or understanding a long word at times. For some people, hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is a socialphobiawhen it involves reading aloud or using long words in a social context. Treatment options are available.
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobiais considered asocial phobia. Fifteen million Americans live with a social phobia.
The fear of long words is very specific. Some people may fear long words with many syllables, while others fear obscure words. Some people might have an aversion to common words of moderate length.
HippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobiaSesquipedalian means “long word” in Latin.
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia
Sesquipedalian means “long word” in Latin.
You may also experience physical symptoms with a social phobia, such as:
If you’re living with this phobia and come across a long word, you may avoid the word altogether or shut down. It’s possible you may also feel embarrassed if you’re unable to read the word.
Symptoms of fear of long words include:
There are a number of factors that can cause a social phobia. They include the following:
Typically, you should discuss this condition with your primary healthcare provider first. Your provider will then refer you to a licensed mental health professional who can identify a social phobia like the fear of long words, ageneralized anxiety disorder, or another diagnosis.
Diagnostic ToolsThe “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fifth Edition” (DSM-5) is used to diagnose social phobias. This manual outlines the specific symptoms that are aligned with the condition in question.
Diagnostic Tools
The “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fifth Edition” (DSM-5) is used to diagnose social phobias. This manual outlines the specific symptoms that are aligned with the condition in question.
The diagnosis of a social phobia according to the DSM-5 includes the following:
You also may be diagnosed with a co-occurring condition likedepression.
Treatment Options
There are a number of treatment options to help decrease or cure the symptoms of a social phobia. Treatment depends on your specific diagnosis, your needs, and the severity of your symptoms. Some options include the following:
Self-care is another aspect of treating social phobias. Things you can do to help yourself include:
Living with a social phobia like a fear of long words can feel isolating, but there are ways to cope. In addition to working alongside a licensed mental health professional to reduce anxiety, find activities that help bring you joy and decrease the severity of your symptoms.
Other techniques that can help you manage your fear of long words include:
Summary
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the fear of long words. It’s considered a social phobia.
When you have a social phobia, it’s common to avoid social situations as a means to control your anxiety. You may also experience physical symptoms with a social phobia, such as nausea, rapid heart rate, or even a full-blown panic attack when confronted with your fear.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Social anxiety disorder.National Institute of Mental Health.Social anxiety disorder: more than just shyness.Norton AR, Abbott MJ.The role of environmental factors in the aetiology of social anxiety disorder: a review of the theoretical and empirical literature.Behav Change. 2017;34(2):76-97. doi:10.1017/bec.2017.7American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.DSM-5 changes: implications for child serious emotional disturbance [internet].Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016.Kusturica J, Hajdarević A, Nikšić H, Skopljak A, Tafi Z, Kulo A.Neuroenhancing Substances Use, Exam Anxiety and Academic Performance in Bosnian-Herzegovinian First-Year University Students. Acta Med Acad. 2019 Dec;48(3):286-293. doi: 10.5644/ama2006-124.269Jacques A, Chaaya N, Beecher K, Ali SA, Belmer A, Bartlett S.The impact of sugar consumption on stress driven, emotional and addictive behaviors.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2019;103:178–99. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.05.021Horenstein A, Morrison AS, Goldin P, Ten Brink M, Gross JJ, Heimberg RG.Sleep quality and treatment of social anxiety disorder.Anxiety Stress Coping. 2019;32(4):387–98. doi:10.1080/10615806.2019.1617854Saeed SA, Cunningham K, Bloch RM.Depression and anxiety disorders: benefits of exercise, yoga, and meditation.Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(10):620-627.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Social anxiety disorder.National Institute of Mental Health.Social anxiety disorder: more than just shyness.Norton AR, Abbott MJ.The role of environmental factors in the aetiology of social anxiety disorder: a review of the theoretical and empirical literature.Behav Change. 2017;34(2):76-97. doi:10.1017/bec.2017.7American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.DSM-5 changes: implications for child serious emotional disturbance [internet].Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016.Kusturica J, Hajdarević A, Nikšić H, Skopljak A, Tafi Z, Kulo A.Neuroenhancing Substances Use, Exam Anxiety and Academic Performance in Bosnian-Herzegovinian First-Year University Students. Acta Med Acad. 2019 Dec;48(3):286-293. doi: 10.5644/ama2006-124.269Jacques A, Chaaya N, Beecher K, Ali SA, Belmer A, Bartlett S.The impact of sugar consumption on stress driven, emotional and addictive behaviors.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2019;103:178–99. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.05.021Horenstein A, Morrison AS, Goldin P, Ten Brink M, Gross JJ, Heimberg RG.Sleep quality and treatment of social anxiety disorder.Anxiety Stress Coping. 2019;32(4):387–98. doi:10.1080/10615806.2019.1617854Saeed SA, Cunningham K, Bloch RM.Depression and anxiety disorders: benefits of exercise, yoga, and meditation.Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(10):620-627.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Social anxiety disorder.National Institute of Mental Health.Social anxiety disorder: more than just shyness.Norton AR, Abbott MJ.The role of environmental factors in the aetiology of social anxiety disorder: a review of the theoretical and empirical literature.Behav Change. 2017;34(2):76-97. doi:10.1017/bec.2017.7American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.DSM-5 changes: implications for child serious emotional disturbance [internet].Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016.Kusturica J, Hajdarević A, Nikšić H, Skopljak A, Tafi Z, Kulo A.Neuroenhancing Substances Use, Exam Anxiety and Academic Performance in Bosnian-Herzegovinian First-Year University Students. Acta Med Acad. 2019 Dec;48(3):286-293. doi: 10.5644/ama2006-124.269Jacques A, Chaaya N, Beecher K, Ali SA, Belmer A, Bartlett S.The impact of sugar consumption on stress driven, emotional and addictive behaviors.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2019;103:178–99. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.05.021Horenstein A, Morrison AS, Goldin P, Ten Brink M, Gross JJ, Heimberg RG.Sleep quality and treatment of social anxiety disorder.Anxiety Stress Coping. 2019;32(4):387–98. doi:10.1080/10615806.2019.1617854Saeed SA, Cunningham K, Bloch RM.Depression and anxiety disorders: benefits of exercise, yoga, and meditation.Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(10):620-627.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Social anxiety disorder.
National Institute of Mental Health.Social anxiety disorder: more than just shyness.
Norton AR, Abbott MJ.The role of environmental factors in the aetiology of social anxiety disorder: a review of the theoretical and empirical literature.Behav Change. 2017;34(2):76-97. doi:10.1017/bec.2017.7
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.DSM-5 changes: implications for child serious emotional disturbance [internet].Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016.
Kusturica J, Hajdarević A, Nikšić H, Skopljak A, Tafi Z, Kulo A.Neuroenhancing Substances Use, Exam Anxiety and Academic Performance in Bosnian-Herzegovinian First-Year University Students. Acta Med Acad. 2019 Dec;48(3):286-293. doi: 10.5644/ama2006-124.269
Jacques A, Chaaya N, Beecher K, Ali SA, Belmer A, Bartlett S.The impact of sugar consumption on stress driven, emotional and addictive behaviors.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2019;103:178–99. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.05.021
Horenstein A, Morrison AS, Goldin P, Ten Brink M, Gross JJ, Heimberg RG.Sleep quality and treatment of social anxiety disorder.Anxiety Stress Coping. 2019;32(4):387–98. doi:10.1080/10615806.2019.1617854
Saeed SA, Cunningham K, Bloch RM.Depression and anxiety disorders: benefits of exercise, yoga, and meditation.Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(10):620-627.
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