The Genophobie – as Pareunophobie or erotophobia known – refers to a morbidly exaggerated fear of sexuality or even the fear of eroticism. Genophobia is one of the specific phobias. The symptoms and complaints can vary depending on the severity of the genophobia; preventive measures are usually not possible.
What is genophobia?
Genophobia is a sexual fear that, in the broadest sense, describes a fear of intimacy. Genophobia can occur to different degrees and can occur so intensely in the course of the disease that those affected refuse complete physical closeness. Affected suffer from fear of erotic fantasies, erotic representations in films or series and are sometimes also afraid of erotic thoughts.
Genophobia can be mild at the beginning, but it can cause increasingly stronger and more intense symptoms. The fact is problematic if the genophobia is not known or treated, so that – due to the course of the disease – the symptoms can become more and more intense.
Causes
The causes of genophobia have not yet been fully clarified. However, medical professionals are of the opinion that previous sexual assaults or even sexual abuse can trigger genophobia. In many cases, those affected did not experience sexual experiences in connection with their own will or joy, but rather through manipulation and violence.
The majority of all those affected therefore suffer from genophobia due to negative experiences in their childhood or adolescence; there are no physical reasons here. Sometimes, however, there may also be a medical cause. Men who repeatedly struggle with their potency can very well develop a fear of sexual contact.
Above all, there is the fear of “failing” again. It sometimes becomes problematic when several diseases are intertwined. Genophobia, due to the potency difficulties, can be the reason that any intimacy is avoided, whereby the potency weakness was triggered by other diseases.
There is also the possibility that genophobia is also a concomitant disease to other underlying diseases. Occasionally, erotic films or printed works in childhood can also have caused the person concerned to suffer from genophobia, as he was shocked by the depictions of sexuality.
Symptoms, ailments & signs
The symptoms and complaints are different. This can lead to palpitations and panic attacks, shortness of breath or sometimes anxiety and fear occur. Severe tremors are also possible.
Basically, a violent panic attack occurs, which makes intimate intercourse very difficult or impossible. The symptoms can vary in severity. While those affected can still control their fears at the beginning, as the disease progresses the problem arises that the fears control the person concerned.
Diagnosis & course
If symptoms such as shortness of breath, increased heartbeat or panic attacks occur in connection with sexual intercourse, erotic thoughts or even watching erotic films or pictures, the doctor quickly has the confirmation that it is genophobia. Sometimes the life story – with evidence of sexual abuse – can also confirm the diagnosis.
Medical or physical complaints rarely or never occur, so that physical examinations are not necessary. But if it is a genophobia that has occurred in combination with erectile dysfunction, the doctor must very well investigate the cause of the erectile dysfunction. It must be taken into account that the course of a genophobia disease should not be underestimated.
Ultimately, sexual abstinence can become so strong that no desire occurs at all or no more sexual processes are started at all. Genophobia can be so pronounced that the man can no longer get an erection or the woman suffers from constant vaginal cramps. The course sometimes takes several years, but can also be extremely fast, so that those affected are controlled by their fear after just a few months.
Complications
Genophobia mainly leads to psychological complaints and complications. These can express themselves in different ways. Most often when the patient comes into contact with erotic or erotic situations, panic attacks or feelings of fear arise. There is also severe tremors and sweating.
The heart rate is usually increased and gasping for breath occurs. The quality of life is made extremely difficult by genophobia and sexual acts and activities are impossible for those affected. This often leads to depression and other psychological complaints.
This leads to inferiority complexes and reduced self-esteem. However, there are no physical complaints or complications. The treatment itself is carried out by a psychologist and does not lead to further complications. However, it can take a long time and does not have to be successful in every case.
Medicines are usually not used. There are also various therapies available to the patient that deal with sexual issues and can solve genophobia. This does not limit life expectancy.
When should you go to the doctor?
A doctor visit is necessary if the first signs of an anxiety disorder appear. A doctor is needed if you are short of breath, racing your heart, or sweating. If the symptoms increase in intensity or if they occur more quickly, a doctor should be consulted. If the person concerned has a panic attack, he needs help and support. Inner restlessness, compulsive thinking or convulsive changes in lifestyle are considered unusual and should be treated.
If avoidance behaviors, body tremors, cold extremities, or aggressive behaviors occur, a doctor should be consulted. If the symptoms are triggered by thoughts of sex, eroticism or physical closeness, a therapist should be consulted. If the general well-being drops, if there is a strong experience of stress or emotional distress, a doctor should be contacted. In the event of social withdrawal, isolation or fear of making new contacts, it is advisable to consult a doctor.
If the daily obligations can no longer be fulfilled or if concentration disorders set in, a doctor’s visit is necessary. Consult a doctor in the event of insomnia, increased blood pressure, headaches and disorders of the digestive process. If feelings such as disgust, shame or poor self-esteem develop, the person affected needs a therapist to improve their quality of life.
Treatment & Therapy
As with any other phobia, there are numerous methods and ways in which genophobia can be treated. There is mainly a combination of therapy and medication. It is advisable that a psychiatrist, therapist or psychologist is consulted in the context of genophobia; Sometimes guides can be purchased that contain tips, tricks and experience reports.
Many drugs that can be used as part of a phobia should be prescribed by a doctor. It is important that the dosage is not changed independently. As part of further treatment, it is important that therapy is also taken from a psychiatrist or psychologist.
For your own therapy, it is advisable to speak to your partner as well, of course. That is because, due to the behavior of the person concerned, he will notice relatively quickly that there is indeed a problem, but will look to himself and not the person concerned to blame.
Outlook & forecast
Since genophobia can often be traced back to experiences in early childhood, it requires psychotherapy and is not treated after a few sessions. The diagnosis phase is followed by a treatment plan consisting of several units of psychotherapy.
Furthermore, it must be clarified whether the genophobia is brought about by physical pain – if so, these physical problems must also be eliminated. In these cases, too, the psychological fear has often become so firmly established that it no longer disappears on its own without therapeutic support. However, the earlier the patient goes to treatment, the easier it is to resolve the genophobia again – therefore, for the prospect of an early healing, it is only good to get help promptly.
Ultimately, the prognosis for genophobia also depends on the relationship with the sexual partner, if there is currently one. If something is wrong in the couple relationship, it can make an existing genophobia even stronger. A trusting and understanding relationship with one another, on the other hand, supports the healing process and creates an environment in which one can work to overcome genophobia without external pressure. However, the condition can worsen if pressure is built up on the part of the partner to achieve normal sexuality as soon as possible.
Prevention
Genophobia cannot be specifically prevented. However, if the first symptoms suggest it or if violent attacks have been experienced that can trigger genophobia, the course of the disease can be stopped or positively promoted. A positive course of the disease or phobia is only possible if therapy is started in good time.
Aftercare
In the case of genophobia, the options for follow-up care are only possible to a very limited extent. The disease must first be properly treated by a doctor, although a complete cure cannot always be guaranteed. As a rule, genophobia cannot be prevented either, so that the person affected is always dependent on immediate and direct treatment by a doctor in order to prevent further complications.
Genophobia is usually treated with the help of a psychologist or psychiatrist. An early diagnosis can have a very positive effect on the further course of this complaint. As a rule, the person concerned should recognize the symptoms of genophobia himself and should also consult a doctor.
In order to avoid further psychological upsets or even depression, the support of friends and family is very important. In many cases, an understanding of the disease is also necessary in order to support those affected. If the genophobia is treated with medication, it is important to ensure that the medication is taken regularly. The life expectancy of the patient is not reduced by this disease.
You can do that yourself
Genophobia can hardly be treated by the person affected, so a specialist should be consulted for both diagnosis and therapy. Which form of therapy the specialist considers appropriate can only be determined after a detailed investigation of the cause.
Since genophobia can have many different causes, its origin is often difficult to discover. The person affected should first and foremost be patient with themselves and trust his or her doctor. In many cases, genophobia can be overcome.
In everyday life, those affected can consciously create islands and set goals that contribute to their relaxation. Too much mental concentration on the topic or even the almost exclusive preoccupation with it lead to more tension than relaxation.
If the person concerned is in a relationship, he should have the courage to confide in his partner. It often also helps to include the partner in discussions with the doctor. It is very helpful to be as relaxed as possible when dealing with the topic. Clear boundaries are important and allowed.
Although genophobia is primarily a mental problem, many patients still react with psychosomatic physical complaints. A program of light physical activity and exercise can be very beneficial.
