Autophobia - Fear of being alone

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Autophobia is the fear of being alone, by oneself or solitude. The origin of the word Auto is Greek meaning self and phobia is Greek meaning fear.
Autophobia can be defined simply as the fear of being alone. Those that suffer from this type of anxiety disorder may experience an intense fear at the thought of doing anything by them and may require the company of a particular person such as a parent, spouse or friend, while others simply need to know that other people are close by. Autophobia is sometimes thought to be the result of early negative experiences such as traumatic childhood abuse, the sudden loss of a parent or the abandonment of a child by a parent
Sometimes referred to as monophobia, autophobia is a paralyzing fear of being left alone. People with this type of emotional condition are often unable to rest comfortably unless someone is relatively close, such as in another room of the home. In extreme conditions, a person suffering with this phobia must have someone in the same room during all waking hours or the individual will begin to experience extreme attacks of anxiety, regurgitation and other severe physical and emotional reactions.

Symptoms: - As with any phobia, the symptoms vary by person depending on their level of fear. The symptoms typically include extreme anxiety, dread and anything associated with panic such as shortness of breath, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, excessive sweating, nausea, dry mouth, nausea, inability to articulate words or sentences, dry mouth and shaking. .
Treatments:-
There are several treatment options available for those that suffer from autophobia. Many find help through traditional therapies such as psychotherapy and anti-anxiety medications while others find relief through non-traditional sources such as hypnotherapy. Read on for a list of the most common treatments available for autophobia.
Hypnotherapy: - During hypnotherapy, a therapist speaks directly to a patient’s sub-conscious, attempting to “re-program” the mind to eliminate the fear that is associated with autophobia. During hypnotherapy, a therapist is often able to suggest more positive ideas surrounding the act of being alone, allowing the patient to revamp their thinking and natural reactions to the situations that once caused them anxiety.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming or NLP: - is the study of the pattern of the fear that is present with autophobia. This therapy helps the patient to understand what triggers their fear, effectively communicate their feelings and diffuse the anxiety associated with being alone. During NLP, a neuro linguistic therapist will listen to the patient speak about their feelings regarding being alone and analyze their choice of words. The therapist will then help the patient to learn to communicate in a more positive manner and slowly shift any preconceptions.
Anti-anxiety Medications: - This classification of drugs is useful in managing the symptoms of the anxiety associated with autophobia, but will not address the root cause of the autophobia. Anti-anxiety medications are most successful when combined with other forms of therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy.

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