Crystal is a type of material that is very present in our daily lives, which makes up different objects, such as glasses and cups (crockery), jars, decorative objects such as vases, etc.

As everything that “exists” can be feared, there can also be an irrational fear of crystals: this is crystallophobia, a phobia of crystals . In this article we will see what their characteristics are.

Crystallophobia: symptoms

Crystallophobia can be related to the fear of breaking glass, the noise it makes, or tearing oneself with it.

The symptoms of crystallophobia are those corresponding to the symptoms of a specific phobia . In this case, the irrational fear appears before the crystals. Crystals, as we know, are hardened glasses, transparent and colourless, which are used to make prisms, lenses, dishes, etc.

The main symptoms of crystallophobia are

  • Accused and persistent fear of crystals: this fear is excessive or irrational.
  • Anxiety : exposure to phobic stimulus (crystals) causes marked anxiety.
  • Avoidance : situations which could lead to sinning are avoided or endured with great discomfort.
  • Interference with normal routine.
  • Duration of symptoms is at least 6 months.

Crystallophobia as a specific phobia could be included in the group of phobias to “other” stimuli, within the DSM classification.

Characteristics of specific phobias

Specific phobias often have comorbidity with other anxiety disorders , mood disorders and substance-related disorders.

However, specific phobia is the least disabling anxiety disorder, compared to all other anxiety disorders (most often panic disorder with agoraphobia).

This is because, if the person avoids the phobic stimulus or such a phobic stimulus is not common in some places (he or she does not have to witness it very often), his or her daily functioning does not have to be disturbed. In addition to the type of symptoms, which are not so severe or disabling.

As for the course, usually appear in childhood or adolescence , and at an earlier age in women than in men. Having crystallophobia in adolescence (or another type of specific phobia), increases the likelihood of having a persistent specific phobia or developing a new specific phobia, but does not predict the development of another disorder.

Causes

As for the causes that can lead to crystallophobia, as with many other specific phobias, are not reliably known . However, it could be related to the fact of having experienced negative, highly traumatic or emotionally charged events or experiences related to crystals (for example a large cut with a glass, breakage of a glass in a robbery, injuries, etc).

A certain genetic predisposition to the harmful effects of stress has also been suggested for specific phobias, which establishes a basis for the emergence of the phobia.

On the other hand, other factors must be taken into account when understanding the origin of crystallophobia, such as the personality of the person, cognitive styles , learning by imitation or classical conditioning, which can favour the appearance and development of irrational fear of crystals, as well as any other type of object or situation.

Treatment

Crystallophobia should be treated as a specific phobia, using specific tools. Psychotherapy can be effective, according to much research. Cognitive behavioural therapy has been shown to be the most effective , and usually includes relaxation techniques, cognitive techniques (e.g. self-instruction) and exposure techniques (the latter being the most effective).

As for exposure techniques , the aim will be to gradually expose the person to the feared stimulus, in this case to different types of crystals (in terms of shape, size, etc.), arranged in a hierarchical order (from least to most anxious or phobic for the patient).

The ultimate goal is for the person with crystallophobia to be exposed to the crystals (in different sessions in therapy, as well as out of office “homework”), until they do not cause fear or anxiety. In the case of crystallophobia, for example, the first stimulus in the hierarchy may be a small, not very sharp crystal, and progressively increase the size of the crystal, as well as the risk of it cutting.

The aim is that finally the person can touch the crystals without showing escape or avoidance responses or discomfort .

Through exposure, the person is able to see for himself that he is not in danger when confronted with the phobic object, and thus gradually the fear disappears and one learns that crystals are not synonymous with danger or harm.

Bibliographic references:

  • Horse (2002). Manual for the cognitive-behavioral treatment of psychological disorders. Vol. 1 and 2. Madrid. Siglo XXI (Chapters 1-8, 16-18).
  • Belloch, A.; Sandin, B. and Ramos, F. (2010). Manual of Psychopathology. Volume I and II. Madrid: McGraw-Hill.
  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Fifth edition. DSM-5. Masson, Barcelona.