Ecophobia is the fear of one's home environment. Therefore, it is sometimes called "ecophobia disorder" or "ecophobia phobia."
Ecophobia can feel like intense fear and dread when being in and around places that one lives in, such as one's home or even the building one works in.
It can also be the fear of leaving one's home to participate in activities and go places one usually enjoys due to the fear of the environments one might encounter.
Individuals with ecophobia may avoid going out of their comfort zones and be reluctant to respond to changes in their usual routine.
Experiencing ecophobia may also involve a heightened sensitivity to one's environment and feeling overwhelmed by it.
Traumatic events like physical or sexual abuse, domestic violence, or natural disasters may cause ecophobia.
Becoming too dependent and attached to a particular space or place can also trigger ecophobia.
Symptoms of ecophobia may include panic attacks, intense fear, sweating, and shaking while in specific environments.
Ecophobia may lead to feelings such as hopelessness and helplessness and avoidance of certain situations and activities that would typically be enjoyable.
Individuals may become socially isolated and find themselves unable to relax and overly preoccupied with the fear of their environment.
Treatment of ecophobia can involve different types of therapy, self-help techniques, and exposure therapy.
