How to Cope With Xenophobia

Xenophobia is a fear of strangers. The key definition that separates the average fear of being cautious of strangers from xenophobia is the "unreasonable fear of strangers." Xenophobia can be so debilitating it can cause a person to become home bound, afraid to go out in public. Simple every day tasks become major obstacles.

Instructions

• 1

  Understand xenophobia. Xenophobia is confused with racial prejudice, the hatred of a person because of race or religion. A person with xenophobia must seek therapy to uncover the cause of a fear of strangers.

• 2

  Admit that a disorder or phobia exists. Treatment begins with the patients acknowledgment of a problem or fear of strangers.

• 3

  Consider hypnosis treatment options. Hypnosis helps the patient revert to a time or place when the seed of fear was instilled. A negative childhood incident, embarrassing moment, abnormal shyness, lack of self-confidence, self-esteem, prejudice and ignorance are triggers of this fear.

• 4

  Discuss any phobias or disorders with a physician for diagnosis. Proper treatments can be prescribed as medication or therapy to overcome xenophobia.

• 5

  Follow the treatment plan. The length of treatment for xenophobia depends on the degree of fear. Treatment plans that work for one patient may not work for another. The underlying factors of the phobia may be different.