Autophobia

Autophobia is the specific phobia or a morbid fear or dread of oneself or of being alone, isolated, abandoned, and ignored. This condition is associated with the idea of being alone, often causing severe anxiety. While autophobia is not recognized as its own individual phobic disorder in major mental health diagnostic publications, it is still a disorder that may be treated like any other anxiety-based disorder through the use of medications and therapies. This disorder may, however, be classified and diagnosed as code 6B03 "specific phobia" in the ICD-11 and a situational type specific phobia [300.29 (F40.248)] in the DSM-5. Those with this condition suffer in a range of situations, both in solitude and in company of others. Isolated, people with autophobia struggle with a fear of inability to handle challenges by themselves. On the other hand, those with this condition may still struggle in fear of abandonment and maintaining relationships even when those they are in relationships with are physically present. Contrary to what would be inferred by a literal reading of the term, autophobia does not describe a "fear of oneself" nor is it the fear of automobiles (despite various cultures abbreviating automobile to "auto"). It typically develops from and is associated with personal trauma, anxiety, depression or other disorders. Autophobia can be associated with or accompanied by other phobias, such as agoraphobia, and is generally considered part of the agoraphobic cluster, meaning that it has many of the same characteristics as certain anxiety disorders and hyperventilation disorders and may be present in a comorbid state with these disorders, although it can stand alone. The main concern of people with phobias in the agoraphobic cluster is their ability to get help in case of emergency. This often makes them afraid of going out in public, being caught in...