Fear of ridicule in public

Little is known about this new phobia that refers to the fear of ridicule. It is considered a strange aversion and it is difficult to find literature on the subject because the studies just started in 2008. It is called gelotophobia and it is triggered when the affected people hear someone laugh and associate this reaction with making a fool of themselves, considering it an attack.

This sensation affects 2% of the population, especially adolescents. The main emotional effects are: social fear, insecurity, shyness, sadness and shame. It is even possible that psychosomatic symptoms such as flushing, dizziness, tremors, speech problems or loss of consciousness may arise.

Inferiority complex

The word comes from the Greek gelos (laughter) and fobos (fear) and has been studied by a group of scientists from the University of Zurich (Switzerland) and the University of Granada (Spain). It is considered a specific phenomenon of shame, which is experienced in early stages of socialization, and one of the main causes is have been ridiculed repeatedly and traumatic during childhood or adolescence.

Since it also affects the process of identity formation, it is important that parents pay attention to some behaviors. For example: children's mistakes should never be punished through humiliation, ridicule or sarcasm, as this can lead to feelings of shame and inferiority.

 

Pressure at school

Some children who are subject to mockery or ridicule constantly develop defensive and shy behavior. Their integration to groups of friends or classmates is not done naturally and freely, so they generate difficult situations that have to do with clumsiness, tension and ridiculous behavior.

Being mocked

Experts say that one of the main forms of cohesion in groups of young people is laughter. In this stage of life, "what is different" is scary, whether due to ignorance or ignorance. The adolescent considered "rare" is the one who does not follow the rules of the group. These contrasts provoke the impression of ridicule in the members of that group who know and follow these norms.

In extreme situations, when these attitudes tend to be aggressive, intentional and repetitive, they end in bullying (bullying) . Being mocked can make the victim feel a series of negative emotions ranging from anguish, fear or, worse, suicide attempt.


Video Medicine: Dealing with the fear of ridicule (March 2024).