A fear of Halloween is called Samhainophobia. When they think about or experience anything related to Halloween, people who have this particular phobia experience anxiety. Many people with Samhainophobia have experienced traumatic Halloween-related incidents in the past. You can overcome Samhainophobia with exposure therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and hypnotherapy.
A type of anxiety disorder is Phobias. They cause an excessive fear of an event or circumstance that is not actually harmful.
A specific phobia disorder known as Samhainophobia exists. A fearful reaction is triggered by a specific circumstance (Halloween).
The Celtic druids first observed the Samhain festival, which is where the word “Samhain” originates. The Celts mostly lived in Northern France, Northern Ireland, and the UK today.
On October 31, the night before the Celtic New Year, the Celts believed that the living and the dead mixed. Large bonfires where animals were sacrificed to please the dead were part of the festival. The Celts frequently donned headdresses and animal skins.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of Samhainophobia can be mild or severe. They consist of:
- Dizziness
- sweating profusely (hyperhidrosis)
- Skin is pale
- Anxiety attacks
- Heart rate and breathing are rapid.
- A strong sense of dread.
- Nausea.
- shaking or trembling
- Avoid nighttime.
- cry or throw a fit.
- Either run or hide.
- Not wanting to attend school
- Not wanting to sleep on their own.
- Scream.
How to cure Samhainophobia?
One of the most common treatments for Samhainophobia is exposure therapy. A mental health professional will expose you to situations and images that may aggravate your symptoms during exposure therapy. After receiving this type of psychotherapy (talk therapy), as many as nine out of ten people with specific phobias notice an improvement in their symptoms.
Learn techniques for relaxation and breathing that you can use before and during exposure. Watch pictures or videos of Halloween-related events. Gradually progress to going to a store with Halloween items on display. Lastly, you might go to a Halloween party with a friend or family member who can help you.
You should try Cognitive behavioral therapy, Hypnotherapy, Medications, and Relaxation techniques.