Fear of Opinions

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People with fear of opinions live in constant fear and anxiety of hearing people’s opinions about them. They often realize that their fear is unfounded and irrational, yet they are unable to overcome it. As a result, they place many restrictions upon themselves. The fear of opinions fear might strike at any age: not only adults, even young kids can be afraid of being on the receiving end of people’s opinions. As the fear becomes deeply imbibed in their consciousness, they tend to stop answering questions or participating in any activities as they are afraid of people’s judgment. fear from opinions falls under the category rare and unusual social phobias. This fear can isolate the sufferer greatly and can especially hamper one’s professional life.

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What may Cause The Fear of Opinions?

While there are many Americans who fear not being able to voice their opinion, a small portion of the population just does not want to listen to other people’s opinions. The trigger for the opinion phobia is usually same as the triggers of other social phobias: negative or traumatic episodes in the past. Caregivers, teachers or parents are often responsible for triggering the fear in a growing child. Words of caution or criticism constantly meted out to a child might lead to regular suppression. An abused or traumatized child is also more likely to develop this fear.

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Usually, passive or sensitive people who fear criticism and reprisals are most likely to suffer from fear of opinions. They might have experienced criticism in school or at work that causes a response triggered by the amygdala (a part of the brain). The mind then triggers the same response over and over when it deals with a similar stressful situation. It does this so as to protect the individual, who then, to prevent the response, tries to avoid hearing opinions about him.

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Media can also trigger the fear of opinions. Having access to materials in print, graphics on TV or social media etc can cause extreme panic in some anxious individuals.

Some other (intrinsic) causes of fear of opinions may include hereditary factors or genetic causes.

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Some of fear of opinions fear feelings:

A fear of opinions individual suffers from many symptoms, both physical and emotional. These folks are simply afraid of listening to feedback of any kind. It literally causes a full blown panic attack that includes:

1. Sweaty palms

2. Accelerated heart rate, rapid and shallow breathing

3. Feeling sick, nauseated

4. Feeling angry when an opinion is expressed, no matter good or bad

5. Flight or fight response, trying to avoid all situations where an opinion might be expressed.

6. Insecurity, lack of self esteem

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Naturally, such people might become socially withdrawn, might be even depressed to an extent. They might avoid situations at work and in general miss out on many opportunities and promotions.

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Hypnosis may help you be more your own person

Fear of being judged is a hypnosis session developed by our hypnotist that will completely change the emotional cast of your default relations with others.

During and after the sessions, you'll notice that:

• you find yourself feeling very much calmer overall

• you develop a wider and more flexible perspective on life

• you start to know which, and whose, opinions to consider and which to ignore

• you feel more comfortable expressing your individuality

• you feel more socially resilient generally.

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However, the hardest part of overcoming fear of opinions is that the person might refuse to seek help in the first place. Family members play a crucial role in getting him/her to agree to it. The client should be encouraged to express his/her opinions while loved ones must exercise caution and express their opinions very gently. Small exercises may be undertaken to ensure that the person is able to handle opinions in small doses gradually increasing their onslaught until the person is ready and confident enough to handle them without having panic attacks.