At first it is hard to believe that there are people who are afraid of money, but this phobia exists and even has a name: chrometophobia. It is a specific phobia that involves a excessive fear to spend money.
The World Health Organization defines specific phobias as fears that arise when exposed to or anticipating certain situations, such as, in this case, spending money. However, the WHO does not include chrometophobia in its International Classification of Diseases.
What symptoms do people with chrometophobia have?
Not everyone who feels anxiety about spending money suffers from chrometophobia. For it to be considered as such, the person must present certain symptoms. symptoms in a severe and continuous manner. People with chrometophobia may find their daily lives and personal relationships affected.
This extreme fear that accompanies spending money does not come alone. It is accompanied by physical symptoms, such as body pain, sweating and breathing problems; and psychological symptoms, such as stress, bad mood, anxiety or extreme overwhelm. Some people who suffer from it can eliminate spending even on the most basic and necessary items for living.
What causes can produce it?
The reasons why a person develops chrometophobia can be very different. Here are some of the causes of common phobias, including this strange fear of spending money, include:
- Genetic factors, behavior inherited or learned from family members or influential close people.
- Life experiences negative in relation to money. For example, a person who spends compulsively and then has serious problems in meeting his financial obligations. On the other hand, it may also be a case of someone who has suffered economic deficiencies in his life, so he clings to money in an extreme way for fear of falling back into poverty.
- Changes in the brainas they play a key role in the development of specific phobias like this one.
What is it like to suffer from chrometophobia?
Kelly Reeves, a patient who suffered from chrometophobia, He told in a blog that he had obsession with money, his bank account, or constantly checking that the cash in his wallet was still there. He was unable to talk about money or listen to conversations about it.
Khara Croswaite, financial therapist American doctor, tells the stories of some of the people who have visited her. As she explains to BBC Mundo, some patients refuse to pay their bills or use their credit card. They live in a loop of negative thoughts.
Help from a psychologist to treat chrometophobia
First of all, it is essential diagnose if it really is a case of chrometophobia, if there is something beyond that, or if it is something else. If so, here are some of the methods used by a psychology professional:
- The cognitive behavioral therapy guided by a psychologist can be key to overcoming this phobia.
- Exposure therapy. The person suffering from chrometophobia is exposed to the stimulus to modify the reaction they have to that situation that generates so much fear.
- Emotion management. The professional will also establish guidelines for learning to manage emotions when dealing with this phobia.
- Techniques of relaxation and meditation to alleviate those irrational beliefs and discomfort that a person suffering from chrometophobia may feel.
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