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Daemonophobia - The Fear Of Demons
Getting
Help for Daemonophobia
By Lisa Fritscher
Medically
reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Daemonophobia, or the fear of demons,
is a phobia often rooted in religious beliefs.
Some religious denominations believe that demons are real,
powerful entities that have the ability to possess humans, causing them to
behave in unthinkable ways.
Other sects believe that possession is unlikely or even
impossible, but that demons are capable of wreaking havoc in other ways.
Still, others believe that the spirits capable of possessing us
are helpful and beneficent, and ritualized spirit possession is part of regular
religious practice.
Not all daemonophobia is rooted in religious issues, but if you
have this fear, it may be worthwhile to examine both your current belief system
and the one with which you were raised.
Some people develop a fear of demons while going through a
crisis of faith or a major change in religious traditions.
Events that cause you to reexamine your childhood can also lead
you to question changes you have made as an adult, including changes in
religious beliefs.
Demons in Hollywood
Like ghosts, demons feature prominently in many blockbuster
films and best-selling novels.
Released in 1973, The Exorcist is
perhaps the best-known film depiction of demonic possession, but demons remain
a popular theme in the movies of today.
Computer-generated imagery techniques allow each film to put its
own gruesome spin on the creatures, while Blu-ray players and HDTVs allow us to
recreate the movie theater experience at home.
It is unlikely that a film would create a brand-new phobia, but
those who suffer from daemonophobia might be triggered by such movies.
Legend Tripping
Legend tripping is a rite of passage for many teens and young
adults.
Urban legends about haunted locations are prevalent around the
world, and many of the stories feature a demonic element.
In a legend trip, a group of friends heads out to face down the
urban legend. The trips generally take place at night.
In effect, the kids set themselves up for a scare.
Expectations can influence perceptions, and legend-tripping
teens usually expect a frightening experience.
Planning the trip, retelling the story over and over and finally
making their way to a deserted bridge or highway or cemetery in the middle of
the night heighten the anticipation.
Under these conditions, it is very easy to convince themselves
that strange noises or optical illusions are proof that the legend is true.
Although the legend trippers prove their courage by confronting
their fears, legend tripping can actually worsen a legitimate phobia.
Many people return from a legend trip convinced that they were
just moments away from a dismal fate, heightening the belief in the legend and
ultimately cementing the phobia.
Daemonophobia and Children
Fears are exceptionally common in young children, but most kids
grow out of them.
Like the bogeyman, demons may represent nothing more than a
child's attempt to make sense of the unpredictable world around him.
Nonetheless, some children do develop legitimate phobias.
Check with your child's doctor if the fear seems unusually
severe, if she begins refusing to do things she previously enjoyed or if the
fear lasts for more than a few months.
Children may also be more susceptible to movies, books, TV
shows, and video games.
Monitor small children's activities and enjoy things that you
are not sure about together.
Discuss your beliefs and answer their questions honestly and
simply.
Parapsychology
Although parapsychology is not generally recognized by the
mainstream scientific community, experiments in parapsychology have produced
results that cannot always be fully explained.
Some people develop daemonophobia after undergoing an unusual
experience with an Ouija board, a séance or a ghost hunt.
Getting Help
Before seeing a mental health professional for daemonophobia, it
is helpful to organize your own thoughts and beliefs.
Although the phobia is sometimes seen as a potential sign of a
thought disorder, most mental health professionals recognize the importance of
the client's personal beliefs.
In addition, think through your goals of therapy. Do you want to stop
believing in demons altogether?
Do you simply want to be able to watch horror movies with your
friends?
Knowing the answers to these questions ahead of time can help
you and your therapist plan a course of treatment that is appropriate
to your needs.
Management
Although it is always best to seek professional help for any
phobia, many people are able to manage their symptoms.
If you belong to a religious organization, you may find solace
in talking with your religious leader or trusted peers.
Researching demonic possession can help ease your fears, but
only if you carefully screen your sources.
If you choose to do research, stick to trustworthy websites run
by reputable organizations.
If you choose to watch horror movies or visit haunted houses,
use caution. Take a trusted friend who knows your fear.
Use breathing and visualization techniques to
manage your symptoms and be prepared to leave if you experience panic attacks.
Lisa
Fritscher
Writer
Expertise
Phobias
Education
University
of South Florida, Polk State College
Highlights
Experienced
in community mental health
Case
management and hands-on care at various mental health facilities
Experience
Lisa
Fritscher is a former writer for Verywell Mind covering phobias. Lisa first
became interested in mental health during her childhood, when she frequently
accompanied her mother, a therapist, to work at the Winter Haven Hospital
Community Mental Health Center. With years of familiarity in the field, it was
only natural that Lisa would follow in her mother's footsteps. Her diverse
experiences include both case management and hands-on patient care at a variety
of residential and outpatient facilities.
Education
Lisa
holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of South
Florida.
Steven
Gans,
MD
Review
Board Member
Psychiatrist
Expertise
Psychiatry, Psychotherapy
Education
Harvard
Medical School, Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, Rush
University Medical College, Massachusetts General Hospital
Highlights
Assistant
professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School
Attending
psychiatrist at McLean
Hospital in Belmont, MA, where he leads a team-based approach to the
management and recovery of patients with serious mental illnesses
Board-certified
in psychiatry by the American
Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
I
am thrilled to be involved with Verywell in their mission to bring accurate and
accessible information regarding health issues to everyone. This is an
especially crucial time that the information available to the public in
understanding their health is factual, clear, and contextually useful.” —
STEVEN GANS, MD
Experience
Dr.
Gans is passionately involved in the practice and teaching of psychotherapy. He
is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor in the Massachusetts General
Hospital (MGH)/McLean Adult Psychiatry Residency Training Program and in their
Program in Psychodynamics (PIP). A graduate of the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, he is a
supervisor and mentor in their Advanced Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Training
Program.
He
serves as a psychotherapist attending to the Pavilion program at McLean
Hospital. Dr. Gans was a psychiatric consultant for the Laurel
Hill Inn eating disorders treatment program, and served as the Clinical Challenges
editor for the Harvard
Review of Psychiatry. He has previously been named to “Best Doctors” by Boston Magazine.
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-fear-of-demons-2671763
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