Fear Of Disorder Or Untidiness

Sometimes, mess and clutter can become a source of persistent and intense stress. When they do, the person who fears disorder or untidiness will suffer from Ataxophobia.

Neat Freaks Will Be Susceptible

The fear of disorder and untidiness will affect people with certain personality traits. Those who are “neat freaks” will be most prone to developing Ataxophobia.

If clutter and confusion cause a stress reaction, it can lead to compulsive behaviors designed to eliminate any triggers. Cleaning and organizing may become somewhat of a fetish with the afflicted person. Much time and effort will be devoted to keeping things tidy and disorder-free. In extreme cases, this can affect the person’s ability to live a normal life.

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OCD May Be A Cause Or A Result

This phobia can be a facet of OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. It manifests itself as a series of rituals which must be repeated over and over again to satisfy the afflicted person. Unfortunately, repeating these rituals can cause a slavery to these routines and become extremely unhealthy.

The Opposite of “Hoarding”

The person with Ataxophobia is the opposite of a typical “hoarder”, who cannot throw things away or clean properly. Often, hoarders lead double lives, where they attempt to hide the squalor and cluttered state of their homes from strangers. The person with Ataxophobia would not even, in most cases, be able to tolerate being in a hoarder’s home. They will shun any environment that is dirty or disorganized.

This Phobia Can Affect Parenting

The problem with Ataxophobia is that an intolerance to disorder or untidiness becomes difficult to control. There are obviously times in life when there must be a little mess and disorder. For example, parents with babies or small children who suffer from this phobia may be far too strict about cleanliness and tidiness where their children are concerned.

Babies and children need some freedom to get dirty and play. Parents with Ataxophobia may find it grating when their children have stained faces or bodies, dirty clothing, and playrooms strewn with toys.

When this phobia interferes with the normal, creative parts of childhood, such as messy fingerpainting, etc., it’s best for Mom or Dad to seek treatment or therapy. Of course, things should be clean and organized at home, but it can be stifling for children to live in an antiseptic environment.

Relationships can be likewise affected by obsessive fears about disorder and untidiness. Some romantic partners will chafe against a constant need for cleanliness and tidiness, as expressed by their lover. Certain personalities will clash with the traits displayed by the Ataxophobic.

Career may be affected by this phobia, unless the person who has it manages to find a work environment where they can control their environment. They will be reluctant to take on work in a confusing, cluttered work space. They may prefer clean, quiet offices with a formal decor, or cool, clean, minimalist spaces.

Symptoms And Treatment

This phobia will include panic-attack related symptoms such as nausea, lightheadedness, and extreme nervousness when faced with triggers. Other traits, such as avoidance, will likely surface when the phobia person is confronted with mess and confusion. As mentioned above, obsessive cleaning will probably be a factor.

Germphobia can also surface along with Ataxophobia. The two phobias will feed upon each other, creating greater stress and anxiety. There may be a reliance (and overuse) of hand sanitizers, rubber gloves, and other protective products.

Treatment for the fear of disorder or untidiness will often require psychotherapy. Talking to a qualified professional about reactions toward dirt and clutter will be the first step to gaining a more realistic approach to daily living. After all, one cannot control everything. It’s best to seek out relief through capable mental health care or alternative therapies.