Gerascophobia, the fear of getting old, like other phobias, is rare and has a prevalence of affecting about 4-6% or the population. In a case report of a 14 year boy submitted to the journal Case Reports in Psychiatry, authors present a thorough analysis of biological and psychological environments that could have led to the development of his phobia and propose treatment modules that could be applicable to similar cases.
The 14-year old adolescent's problem started about two and a half years ago with an excessive fear of growing old. He started eating less to try and decrease his physical development, adopted a stooped posture to hide his growth and started searching the internet to learn how to stop ejaculation. "He argues that the expectations that adults face as they get older are excessive: getting a partner, being independent, and having more responsibility and financial solvency. He also believes that once he reaches [adulthood], he is more likely to get sick and die, all of which are very overwhelming," the authors report.
Although he visited a psychologist for a year, it wasn't helpful. He was referred to the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon. At the University, the authors discovered that he had a history of separation anxiety, sexual abuse and suffered severe bullying.
The boy was diagnosed with separation anxiety when he was 5 and received psychotherapy; when he was 6 he was sexually abused by his neighbors. A behavioral change was noticed by his parents but he could only open up when he visited the psychologist years later. He was also a victim of frequent bullying in his 6th grade.
He had an excessively caring mother who used to treat him as a kid, sing him lullabies, comb his hair, choose his clothes and even answer the questions he was asked. His father was angry with the scenario. He believed that his son was doing this to annoy him for staying away a long time due to work; there was a complete gap of communication between father and son to the point that they avoided being in the same room.
Since the boy's arrival to the University he has been given psychotherapy with an emphasis on therapeutic alliance where the patient can think, feel and talk about traumatic events. This method enables a patient to understand feelings/reactions of others and themselves. They are trained to perceive and interpret human behavior (including their own) depending on circumstances or mental states. The boy also received Fluoxetine 20mg/day which increased to 40mg/day after 6 weeks, whereby his condition improved. The boy's family also got training on how to treat these kind of patients as family members.
The boy is currently seen in an upright position, speaks in his natural tone and does not have any discernible eating problems. He goes to school, takes part in social activites and does not show anxiety due to the presence of body hair or when he wears clothes that correspond to his age. He is also able to imagine the future, living on his own. He wants to become a 'Hollywood star' and this is an idea he likes. He does, however, continue to have a fear of responsibilities and commitments that he feels will be required of him in adult life.
REFERENCE
Severe Growing-Up Phobia, a Condition Explained in a 14-Year-Old Boy
Case Rep Psychiatry. 2014; 2014: 706439.
Published online 2014 Dec 21. doi: 10.1155/2014/706439
