The fear of being touched (also known as aphephobia[1], haphephobia[1][2], haphophobia[2][3], hapnophobia[2], haptephobia[1][2], haptophobia[1][2][3], thixophobia[1]) is a rare specific phobia that involves the fear of touching or of being touched. It is an acute exaggeration of the normal tendencies to protect one's personal space, expressed as a fear of contamination or of the invasion, and extending even to people whom its sufferers know well.[4][5]
Sometimes the fear is restricted specifically, or predominantly, to being touched by people of the opposite sex. In women, this is often associated with a fear of sexual assault. Dorais reports that many boys who have been the victims of sexual abuse have a fear of being touched, quoting one victim who describes being touched as something that "burns like fire", causing him to freeze up or to lash out.[5][6]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e Charles Harrington Elster (1996). There's a Word for It!. Scribner. pp. 160. ISBN 0684824558.
- ^ a b c d e John G. Robertson (1991). Robertson's Words for a Modern Age. Senior Scribe Publications. pp. 213. ISBN 0963091913.
- ^ a b Laurence Urdang, Anne Ryle, Tanya H. Lee (1986). -ologies & -isms. Gale Research Co.. pp. 557. ISBN 0810311968.
- ^ John G. Robertson (2003). An Excess of Phobias and Manias. Senior Scribe Publications. pp. 95. ISBN 096309193X.
- ^ a b John Birtchnell (1996). How Humans Relate: A New Interpersonal Theory. Psychology Press. pp. 142. ISBN 0863774326.
- ^ Michel Dorais (2002). Don't Tell: The Sexual Abuse of Boys. McGill-Queen's Press — MQUP. pp. 84. ISBN 0773522611.
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