What is Sesquipedalophobia?





Sesquipedalophobia is the fear of long words. The origin of the word is unique because it refers more likely to the length of a word that might fear people. Sesqui is Latin (meaning one and a half) and pedal is Latin (meaning foot) and phobia is Greek (meaning fear). Sesquipedalophobia is considered to be a specific phobia, which is discussed on the home page. Sesquipedalophobia is also called Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia and related to Logophobia and Verbophobia (which both mean the fear of words) and Onomatophobia (fear of hearing a certain word or of names).





What are the causes?





It is generally accepted that phobias arise from a combination of external events (i.e. traumatic events) and internal predispositions (i.e. heredity or genetics). Many specific phobias can be traced back to a specific triggering event, usually a traumatic experience at an early age. Social phobias and agoraphobia have more complex causes that are not entirely known at this time. It is believed that heredity, genetics, and brain chemistry combine with life-experiences to play a major role in the development of phobias. (Wikipedia - phobia).





What are the symptoms?





As with any phobia, the symptoms vary by person depending on their level of fear. The symptoms typically include extreme anxiety, dread and anything associated with panic such as shortness of breath, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, excessive sweating, nausea, dry mouth, nausea, inability to articulate words or sentences, dry mouth and shaking.





Can I take medicine?





Medicine can be prescribed, but please note that these medications can have side effects and/or withdrawal systems that can be severe. It is also important to note that medicines do not cure phobias, at best they only temporarily suppress the systems. However, there are treatments for phobias, which include counseling, hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, and Neuro-Linguistic programming. Please click on the tab at the top of the page called “Treatments” to find out more information on these types of treatments.



