Xenophobia

Xenophobia is an extreme and irrational fear of aversion towards foreigners. The origin of this word is in Greek word ‘xenos’ meaning stranger and ‘phobos’ meaning fear. Read this article to know more about xenophobia, its causes and symptoms.

Xenophobia can be evident involving the relations of in group and out group. This phobia includes fear of loss of identity, aggression for the foreign group, and sometimes a strong desire to eliminate the group and its activities. This phobia is also exhibited in the form of an ‘uncritical exaltation of another culture’ where that another culture is described as fake and unreal.

Causes

Xenophobia can be a fear or aversion to not only people from other countries but also to other cultures, subcultures or belief systems. Xenophobia can be a fear of something different, something which does not belong to your attribute. Causes of this fear can be many.

• Some bad personal experience, which involves different creed and race, might be of different country.
• Watching television or reading about the exploitations done taking religious or political advantage can also cause fear for some specific foreign group.
• People who have the tendency to fear or getting anxious are prone to this phobia.
• Adrenal insufficiency can also cause xenophobia.
• Personality disorders like shyness, conscious self-esteem, lack of self-confidence can be trigger points for xenophobia.

Symptoms

Whenever a xenophobic is exposed to foreigners or strangers or for that matter any stimulus that generates fear, will show the following symptoms.

• Dry mouth, nausea
• Clammy hands, anxiety
• Guilt, hurt
• Fear, anger, sadness, nervousness
• Palpitations, sweating
• Increased breathing rate

Treatments

There are various options available as a treatment for xenophobia. It is better if the choice of therapy is left on a mental health professional. Please do not interfere in the decisions of the doctor.

Hypnotherapy

It is believed that subconscious is the root cause of fears and phobia. So if one wants to treat the phobia, altering the subconscious will be of use. This therapy tries to deal with the subconscious of the patient and ‘reprogram’ it. This therapy is considered risky by some patients as when going through the therapy, you are not in your conscious mind. Many patients do not like the idea of being controlled by someone other. Though not opted by many, hypnotherapy is safe and works fast.

• Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

The words spoken reflect the mind and mental health. This therapy studies the words the patient chooses to describe the fears, and his/her surroundings and based on the study decides the course of therapy. In this therapy also the subconscious is programmed not to feel fear and phobia.

Energy therapy

In this therapy the techniques of yoga, acupressure, acupuncture without needles and Prana are used. Studies have shown that energy therapy is an excellent therapy for treating fears and phobias. This is rapid, safe and has shown good results. Some benefits of this therapy are that the patient is in full control of self while undergoing this therapy. Also the techniques taught in this therapy like breathing techniques and gaining control on thoughts are very useful all throughout the life in every crisis situation.

Medication

Some people believe that medicines are the solution for everything including xenophobia. This is not true as medicines can give a temporary solution to the fear but the cure is not permanent. Medicines like anti depressants and anti anxiety drugs are given to help the patient undergoing the therapies.

Self support

This is one of the important aspects in treating xenophobia. Unless the patient is not ready to receive treatment and reciprocate to it positively, no drug, no therapist can help him.

Xenophobia is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed of, it is treatable and the results are good and positive. Just have some patience and faith and you will get well soon.