Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsDiagnosisCausesTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Causes
Treatment
Coping
Fear of cotton balls is also known assidonglobophobia. There is not much in the clinical literature about the fear of cotton balls, but on message boards and social media groups, people living with thisphobiareport being afraid of cotton balls and the sound they make when torn apart.
Approximately 19 million Americans live with phobias.While phobias can start at any age, they often begin in childhood.A fear of cotton balls is a type of phobia known as a specific phobia, which is a fear of something that is out of proportion to the actual danger.
This article will discuss the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of the fear of cotton balls.
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Someone who has a fear of cotton balls may not want to walk past them in a store. They may avoid cotton swabs. Opening medicine or vitamin bottles may be stressful because of the cotton stuffed inside. Some people with this phobia may also fear the plastic or foam materials used to pack fragile items.
Symptoms of a specific phobia like the fear of cotton balls can vary, but they often include:
People with a specific phobia generally know that their fear of the object or situation is excessive, but they cannot work through it. It is usually diagnosed when the phobia interferes with life enough to impair school, work, relationships, or home life.
A mental health professional can make a specific phobia diagnosis based on criteria from the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,” Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Fear of cotton balls is not mentioned in the DSM-5, but specific phobias are. Criteria for this diagnosis include:
Some phobias start because of previous situations: For example, they can be the result of a traumatic experience, or a person may see others fear something and learn to fear it too.Other times, people can’t remember when a phobia started.
Phobias tend to run in families, but more research is needed to further explore the genetic and biological causes of phobias.
Therapy
The type of therapy typically recommended for specific phobias isexposure therapy.It may be combined withcognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Exposure therapy involves safely exposing an individual to the feared event or trigger until their fear is lessened and they are able to manage the exposure. This approach may be paired with deep breathing and relaxation techniques, which can involve holding cotton balls, being near them, ripping them, and more.
Finding a support group can also be helpful. Being around people who know what it’s like to live with a phobia can be validating, and they can also provide tips and tricks to help you overcome the fear.
Medication
Sometimes medication can help treat a specific phobia, especially if the anxiety symptoms are intense or if you have panic attacks. Different types of medication may be prescribed, including:
Living with a phobia can be hard, especially if it’s difficult to avoid the object of your fear. While you may be tempted to isolate yourself from others, try to fight that urge. Surround yourself with supportive family and friends who will be patient and understanding. If your phobia starts to interfere with your quality of life, ask your healthcare provider about treatment options.
Summary
A phobia is a fear of something that is not proportionate to the danger it poses. People with phobias usually realize that their fear is excessive, but they may not always seek help. A fear of cotton balls can impact someone’s life in a variety of ways, but there are treatments available, including medication and therapy. Talk with your healthcare provider about your phobia and how you’ve been managing it. They’ll be able to refer you to a professional for treatment.
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.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Phobias.National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.Fear Management.Fear of cotton balls.Anxiety & Depression Association of America.Symptoms.Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.Specific phobias.StatPearls.Specific Phobia.de Vries YA, Harris MG, Vigo D, et al.Perceived helpfulness of treatment for specific phobia: Findings from the World Mental Health Surveys.Journal of Affective Disorders. 2021;288:199-209. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.04.001Bohnlein J, Altegoer L, Muck NK, et al.Factors influencing the success of exposure therapy for specific phobia: A systematic review.Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2020;108: 796-820. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.12.009National Institute of Mental Health.Panic disorder: When fear overwhelms.
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.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Phobias.National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.Fear Management.Fear of cotton balls.Anxiety & Depression Association of America.Symptoms.Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.Specific phobias.StatPearls.Specific Phobia.de Vries YA, Harris MG, Vigo D, et al.Perceived helpfulness of treatment for specific phobia: Findings from the World Mental Health Surveys.Journal of Affective Disorders. 2021;288:199-209. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.04.001Bohnlein J, Altegoer L, Muck NK, et al.Factors influencing the success of exposure therapy for specific phobia: A systematic review.Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2020;108: 796-820. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.12.009National Institute of Mental Health.Panic disorder: When fear overwhelms.
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.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Phobias.National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.Fear Management.Fear of cotton balls.Anxiety & Depression Association of America.Symptoms.Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.Specific phobias.StatPearls.Specific Phobia.de Vries YA, Harris MG, Vigo D, et al.Perceived helpfulness of treatment for specific phobia: Findings from the World Mental Health Surveys.Journal of Affective Disorders. 2021;288:199-209. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.04.001Bohnlein J, Altegoer L, Muck NK, et al.Factors influencing the success of exposure therapy for specific phobia: A systematic review.Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2020;108: 796-820. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.12.009National Institute of Mental Health.Panic disorder: When fear overwhelms.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Phobias.
National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.
Fear Management.Fear of cotton balls.
Anxiety & Depression Association of America.Symptoms.
Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.Specific phobias.
StatPearls.Specific Phobia.
de Vries YA, Harris MG, Vigo D, et al.Perceived helpfulness of treatment for specific phobia: Findings from the World Mental Health Surveys.Journal of Affective Disorders. 2021;288:199-209. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.04.001
Bohnlein J, Altegoer L, Muck NK, et al.Factors influencing the success of exposure therapy for specific phobia: A systematic review.Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2020;108: 796-820. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.12.009
National Institute of Mental Health.Panic disorder: When fear overwhelms.
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