Word meaning fear of words

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.

Every so often while reading, you might come across a long word that makes you pause. It takes a second, or a few, to sound out the word. For some, being unfamiliar with a long word isn’t a big deal, but it’s a phobia for others. If you have a phobia of long words, you might avoid them altogether.

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the fear of long words. Ironic, isn’t it? It’s also referred to as sesquipedalophobia (a Latin term that means «long word»). When this phobia involves a fear of encountering a long word when reading aloud or in a social context, it can be considered a type of social phobia.

This article will cover the diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment options for social phobias like Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia.

Definition

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the fear of long words. This condition is considered a social phobia. Fifteen million Americans live with a social phobia.

The fear of long words is very specific. Some people may fear long words with many syllables, while others fear obscure words. Some people might have an aversion to common words of moderate length.

A social phobia is when you have an irrational fear of being judged or rejected by a specific social situation causing you debilitating anxiety. If you have a social phobia, you might avoid social situations altogether out of fear of seeming awkward or anxious.

You may also experience physical symptoms with a social phobia, such as nausea, rapid heart rate, or even a full-blown panic attack when confronted with your fear.

Symptoms

If you’re living with this phobia and come across a long word, it might cause you anxiety. You may avoid the word altogether or shut down. It’s possible you may also feel embarrassed if you’re unable to read the word.

Symptoms of fear of long words include:

• Reading avoidance
• Sweating
• Dry mouth
• Fainting
• Anxiousness
• Nausea
• Lack of control
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness

Diagnosis

Typically, you’ll discuss this condition with your primary healthcare provider first. Your provider will then refer you to a licensed mental health professional.

During your first appointment, you’ll answer some intake forms. The mental health provider will also ask you some questions regarding the reasons for your visit to establish a proper diagnosis.

The diagnosis of a social phobia according to the DSM-5 includes the following:

• The fear or anxiety is persistent, and the social situation is excessively avoided.
• Fear, anxiety, or avoidance that causes clinical distress
• Persistent, intense fear or anxiety regarding specific social situations because you believe you may be judged negatively, embarrassed, or humiliated
• Excessive anxiety that’s out of proportion to the situation
• Anxiety or distress that interferes with your daily living

Causes

There are a number of factors that can cause a social phobia. They include the following:

• Genetics: Having a family member with a social phobia puts you at an increased risk of developing one as well.
• Environmental factors: Stressful or traumatic childhood experiences can contribute to the development of a social phobia.
• Learned behavior: Seeing others experience the feared situation, or living with the phobia, including growing up in a household where an adult of significance, such as a parent, had a fear of long words.
• Parenting style: Having controlling or critical parents can contribute to the development of a social phobia.
• Brain function: If you have a social phobia, there’s likely an imbalance of neurotransmitters in your brain.

Treatment Options

There are a number of treatment options to help decrease or cure the symptoms of a social phobia. Treatment depends on your specific diagnosis, your needs, and the severity of your symptoms. Some options include the following:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy (talk therapy). It involves identifying unhealthy or harmful thinking and behavior patterns and changing them into healthy ones.
• Medication: Although they’re not always necessary, certain drugs can help manage symptoms of a social phobia. Options include anti-anxiety medication, antidepressants, and beta-blockers.

Coping

Living with a social phobia can feel isolating, but there are ways to cope. Work along with a licensed mental health professional to find activities that help bring you joy and decrease the severity of your symptoms. Some coping techniques include the following:

Summary

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the fear of long words. It’s considered a social phobia. When you have a social phobia, it’s common to avoid social situations as a means to control your anxiety. You may also experience physical symptoms with a social phobia, such as nausea, rapid heart rate, or even a full-blown panic attack when confronted with your fear.

A social phobia can be caused by genetics, upbringing, brain function, and certain environmental factors. Treatment includes talk therapy and, in some instances, medication.

Joining a support group and keeping a healthy lifestyle can also help manage the symptoms and improve your quality of life.

A Word From Verywell

If you or someone you know is living with a social phobia, know that you’re not alone. There’s help and support. It’s important to speak with your healthcare provider about your symptoms. They can refer you to a licensed mental health professional.

Know that treating a social phobia is a process. Be patient with yourself and your healing. Give yourself the time you need and know that getting help is a big celebratory step towards your healing.

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia.

Did you read the word completely or you just read it like hippozhzhshshzhshshzhsh…

I did this too!

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the longest word of the dictionary. The word includes 36 letters. And, you will be surprised to know that it actually means the fear of long words.

Earlier it was said that there is nothing like the fear of long words and this phobia is fictional. But later, the American Psychiatric Association said that the phobia of long words is real and actually exists.

There are many people in the world who are suffering from Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia. It is said that whenever they see a long word, they tend to feel anxious or scared. To cope with this, they might skip reading the word which makes them feel panicky.

Strangely Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is also known as Sesquipedalophobia which is another long word.

Before knowing more about the longest word of the dictionary – Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia, learn how to pronounce the word in this video.

Origin of the Word Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia can be divided into several parts to know its etymology.

According to the oxford dictionary, Hippopotamine is used to refer to “something very large or big”.

The other word is ‘monstr’ is a Latin word which means, “monstrous being or something that is huge and scary”.

‘Sesquippedalio’ is also a Latin word, Sesquippedali which means ‘measuring a foot and a half long’.

And lastly, Phobia, a Greek word which is originally derived from Phobos, meaning fear or horror.

Symptoms of Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia

The fear of long words usually makes the person feel embarrassed about their inability to pronounce the word. Apart from this, the person starts trembling and feels afraid of being mocked or punished.

So here I will tell you other symptoms of Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia:

• Accelerated heartbeat
• Sweating
• Fainting
• Dizziness
• Breathing uneasily
• Headache
• Avoid reading long words
• Stress

Causes of Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia

There is no absolute cause for Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia: the fear of long words. No one is actually born with this kind of fear rather it is something that people learn from a nasty episode.

It may cause because of certain events which are recorded as dangerous or deadly by some parts of the brain. The body reacts to the words as if the same event is about to happen and they have to face everything all over again.

The mind creates negative images on the sight of long words or even on the thought of it and the body responses in fear to those negative images.

Treatment of Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia

The phobia of long words can be cured with the help of therapists or for the worst case drugs and medicines can also be used. But usually, it is treated by therapies only.

The treatment can be started once the therapists examine the root cause of the Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia. He/she should evaluate the factors of the event that led to the phobia.

The main solution is by slowly exposing the patient to the long words. Maybe make them see the words first, then make them think about it and gradually make them speak the long word.

This process will eventually help the patient to overcome their phobia and feel less panicky. It will free the patients from the fear and anxiety of long words.

Final Words

In the end, I would just like to say that if you did not feel panicked not even for a single time while reading the word Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia, then you are not in the radar of this disorder.

But, if you felt something wrong then you need to read the article more thoroughly ask for some help.