What are the treatments for bibliophobia?

What are the treatments for bibliophobia?

People with mild bibliophobia may not need treatment. But the fear can cause physical symptoms, disrupt daily life and affect success in school and work. If that’s the case, you should talk to your healthcare provider.

Possible treatments include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is structured psychotherapy that can help you understand and control thoughts and perceptions. This talk therapy can help you unlearn negative thoughts that happen when you think about or encounter books. One type of CBT is dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). With DBT, your therapist asks you to think about a book and then half-smile. Over time, this may change your emotions associated with books.
• Exposure therapy: Exposure therapy, sometimes called desensitization, helps you confront your fears gradually. You’re exposed to the idea of books over time in a controlled environment. Exposure therapy starts with something less scary, like seeing a book in a place you feel safe. Eventually, you may be asked to hold a book, read a short excerpt and eventually visit a bookstore. Through increasing exposure, you can learn to manage bibliophobia.
• Hypnotherapy: Hypnotherapy can put you in a trance-like but focused state. Under hypnosis, you’re more open to suggestion and change. Your hypnotist may be able to convince you that you’re less afraid of books or reading.
• Medications: A variety of anti-anxiety medications can lessen anxiety and its symptoms. These drugs aren’t a cure for bibliophobia, but they may be able to help you face certain situations, such as finishing school or taking your children to the library.