The Fear of Witchcraft (Wiccaphobia): Signs, Causes & Treatment

The idea of witchcraft has always created or provoked fear in general people and influenced mass hysteria. In many cultures, it is believed that witchcraft exists and can be used to cause harm to other people.

However, the existence of witches and the functionality of witchcraft is questionable. The scientific backing of witchcraft is debatable. In many folklores, there are stories about witches and witchcraft but in today’s time, witchcraft is seen with a doubtful eye.

Let’s leave the discussion about the prevalence and authenticity of witchcraft to the experts. Today we are going to talk about the fear of witchcraft that troubles many. The fear of witchcraft is known as Wiccaphobia, let’s understand it better…

What Is Wiccaphobia (Fear Of Witchcraft)?

Wiccaphobia can be described as a severe mental health condition that includes persistent, irrational fear of witches or witchcraft. The fear of witchcraft has been prevailing since the 14th century. Wiccaphobia saw a huge rise between the 14th and 17th centuries and the number came down later.

Also read: Understanding Paradoxical Intention (With Examples)

However, wiccaphobia continues to be a very common phobia, especially along people and cultures that believe in the existence of supernatural beings like witches and ghosts. People with wiccaphobia strongly believe that some people possess supernatural power and can cause them harm even when they are away from them.

This thought provokes a lot of fear, anxiety, and panic in an individual. They begin to doubt everyone around them and don’t trust even their family members. There is a constant fear that their drink or food is spiked or that they are being watched by a witch.

Now, many people who believe in the existence of witches also fear them but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a phobia. Only people who fear witchcraft so much so that their daily life gets affected develop wiccaphobia.

Signs And Symptoms Of Wiccaphobia

The signs and symptoms of wiccaphobia are more physical than emotional. Although your anxious thoughts and fear of witches or witchcraft make you elicit those physical symptoms. When people with wiccaphobia comes in contact with a trigger, these symptoms see a rapid increase.

Mostly these symptoms occur when an individual with wiccaphobia is thinking about witchcraft or comes in contact with something that is associated with witchcraft. Let’s have a look at the symptoms are occur upon being triggered;

• Breathlessness
• Extreme anxiety /panic attack
• Chills
• Choking sensations
• Nausea
• Heart palpitations
• Disorientation
• Physical chronic pain
• Sweating, trembling
• Lightheadedness

What Are The Causes of Wiccaphobia?

Wiccaphobia or the fear of witchcraft is said to be caused by mass hysteria. However, there are no certain causes of such phobias discovered yet. Experts do claim that phobias like wiccaphobia can be caused by misunderstanding old stories and religious texts.

It was seen that after educating people about the fading evidence of the existence of witchcraft, the hysteria was reduced, eventually reducing the fear of witches and witchcraft. Other than this there are a few common factors that make an individual prone to developing such phobias, such as;

• Genetic: according to research it was found that mental health conditions like phobia can be carried through genes. Any anxiety-related disorder can be hereditary
• Past experiences: if an individual has had a traumatic experience relating to witchcraft or witches, they are most likely to develop wiccaphobia.
• Culture and knowledge: if an individual is brought up in a society that strongly believes in witchcraft and similar ideologies, they are more likely to develop wiccaphobia because of their beliefs.

Treatment For Wiccaphobia

The psychiatric industry has fortunately grown so much over the years and issues like extreme fear or phobia have a good rate of improvement. There are quite a few treatment options that guarantee a complete recovery from mental health conditions like phobias.

Wiccaphobia is a common phobia that our mental health professionals have been treating for years. If you have developed wiccaphobia, here are some treatment options that your therapist might offer you;

• Psychoeducation: it’s very important to know about your condition. Because wiccaphobia can be caused because of a lack of proper knowledge, psychoeducation can help.
• Psychotherapy: wiccaphobia has a lot to do with negative and irrational thoughts and beliefs, psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy can help in reframing those troubling thoughts and beliefs.
• Medication: antianxiety medicines can be prescribed to help you control your symptoms. Medicines are mostly given alongside psychotherapy to make the process faster.

That’s All Folks!

I hope you found this blog about wiccaphobia, and the fear of witchcraft helpful, interesting, and thought-provoking. Do share this blog with your friends and family because you never know who is struggling with such irrational fears and are in need of help.

Thanks for reading.

Take care and stay safe.