By: Camila Garcia 10°B

​

           Do you believe in ghosts? Are you scared of them? If you have been looking for the right way to express that fear, search no more. Fear of ghosts is referred to as Phasmophobia and, in some cases Spectrophobia. Coming from the Greek word “Phasmos” which means supernatural being or phantom, Phasmophobia is ingrained in people since a young age and further developed by TV shows, Horror movies, religion and culture throughout their lives. Nonetheless, the fear is experienced by young and old alike with different symptoms and causes.

​

            Although phasmophobia is a common “disease”, it has many different symptoms. Moreover, fears like this are often accompanied by other phobias like fears of mirrors, photographs, shadows and the dark. Every person has a different experience. Nonetheless, it is so debilitating that the affected person suffers from physical and emotional symptoms. For the symptoms it is normal to experience: stress, anxiety or panic attacks, hallucination, lack of sleep, muscle tension, insomnia, dizziness.

​

            Cultures and religions often talk about ghosts being mischievous. That is also why many people suffer from phasmophobia. Ghosts are likely seen as deceased people looking for vengeance, or imprisoned on Earth for bad things they did in their life. A ghost’s appearance in one’s life is, most of the times, taken as a notice of death; meaning that death is coming for him or her. Cultures not only develop but also increases someone’s chances of being scared of ghosts.

            Phasmophobia is completely normal in the XXI century; however, as fun as it is to read and know about it, it shall not be as fun for the one who suffers from it. That is why phantoms or ghosts should not be a synonym of death or bad things and treating it should be completely normal. Ghosts are things that are not seen but felt so, do not be embarrassed if you feel one; you are lucky, don’t get scared.