What is kerophobia?
Cherophobia is a phobia in which a person has an irrational aversion to being happy. The term comes from the Greek word «chero», which means «rejoice«. When a person experiences kerophobia, is often afraid to participate in activities that many would characterize as fun or happiness.
This condition is neither widely investigated nor defined. Psychiatrists most often use the criteria in the new edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose mental health conditions. Currently, the DSM-5 does not include kerophobia as a disorder. However, there are some mental health experts who analyze this phobia and its possible treatments.
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What are the symptoms of kerophobia?
Some medical experts classify kerophobia as a form of anxiety disorder. Anxiety is an irrational or heightened sense of fear related to the perceived threat. In the case of chaerophobia, anxiety is related to engaging in activities that are believed to make you happy.
Someone who has kerophobia not necessarily a sad personInstead, avoid activities that could lead to happiness or joy. Examples of symptoms associated with kerophobia could include:
- Experiencing anxiety at the thought of going to a happy social gathering, such as a party, concert, or other similar event
- Turning down opportunities that could lead to positive life changes out of fear of something bad happening.
- Refusing to participate in activities that most would call fun.
Some of the key thoughts that a person experiencing kerophobia may express include:
- Being happy will mean that something bad will happen to me.
- Happiness makes you a bad or worse person.
- Showing that you are happy is bad for you or for your friends and family.
- Trying to be happy is a waste of time and effort.
In an article in the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, the authors created a Fear of Happiness Scale, or «Fear of Happiness.» created for compare fear to happiness in 14 culturesthe scale can also help a person or their doctor to evaluate if you have symptoms of kerophobia. Some statements include:
- I prefer not to be too happy, because normally happiness is followed by sadness.
- Disasters often follow good luck.
- Excessive joy has bad consequences.
- By rating these statements on a scale of 1 to 7 of your degree of agreement, you may be able to show fear or a misperception of happiness.
What are the causes of kerophobia?
Sometimes chaeophobia can stem from the belief that if something very good happens to a person, or if their life goes well, a bad event is bound to happen. As a result, they may fear activities related to happiness because they believe that they can prevent something bad from happening. This is often the case when someone has experienced a past physical or emotional traumatic event.
A introvert you may be more likely to experience kerophobia. An introvert is a person who normally prefers to do activities alone or with one or two people at a time. They are often considered thoughtful and reserved. They may feel intimidated or uncomfortable in group settings, noisy places, and crowded places.
The perfectionists are another personality type that may be associated with kerophobia. Those who are perfectionists may feel that happiness is a trait only of lazy or unproductive people. As a result, they may avoid activities that could bring them happiness because these activities are considered unproductive.
What are the treatments for kerophobia?
Because kerophobia has not been extensively detailed or studied as a separate disorder, there are no FDA-approved drugs or other definitive treatments that a person can follow to treat the condition.
However, some suggested treatments include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a therapy that helps a person recognize faulty trains of thought and identify behaviors that can help them change.
- Relaxation strategies, such as deep breathing, journaling, or exercise
- hypnotherapy
- Exposure to happiness-provoking events as a means of helping a person identify that happiness need not have adverse effects.
Not all people with happiness aversion need treatment. Some people feel happier and more secure when they avoid happiness. Unless chaerophobia interfere with your own personal quality of life or your ability to hold down a job, they may not require treatment at all.
However, if the symptoms of kerophobia are related to past trauma, treating an underlying condition can help treat kerophobia.
What is the perspective of chaerophobia?
Kerophobia often occurs when people are trying to protect themselves, as a result of past conflict, tragedy, or trauma. If kerophobia is affecting quality of life, it can often be helpful to seek treatment from a doctor.
Although it may take time to change your thinking, with continued treatment, you may be able to overcome your fears.