Masklophobia, also known as maskaphobia, is a fear of masks. It is a relatively common phobia, especially in children. The fear of masks can be triggered by a variety of factors.
A child may develop masklophobia if they have had a negative experience with a mask, such as being scared by a masked person or seeing a mask used in a scary movie.
A child may also develop masklophobia if they have negative associations with masks, such as if they believe that masks are scary or dangerous.
Some children are simply afraid of the unknown, and masks can represent the unknown.
Masklophobia can manifest in a variety of ways in children, including:
When a child sees a mask, they may become upset and start to cry, scream, or have a tantrum. Some children may lash out at others when they see a mask, either physically or verbally. A child may try to run away or hide when they see a mask. A child may cling to a parent or caregiver for comfort when they see a mask. A child may shake or tremble when they see a mask.
A child may show extreme anxiety, fear, or panic when they see a mask.
What you need to do when you see Masklophobic
1) Talk to your child about their fears and why they are afraid of masks. This can help them to understand their fear and start to overcome it.
2) Gradually expose your child to masks in a controlled setting. Start by showing them pictures of masks, then move on to showing them real masks from a distance. As your child becomes more comfortable, you can gradually move closer to them and let them touch the masks.
3) Teach your child relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, that they can use to cope with their fear of masks.
4) If your child’s fear of masks is severe or is interfering with their daily life, you may want to seek professional help from a therapist who specialises in anxiety disorders.
With time and patience, most children can overcome masklophobia.