Fearing a culture or things related to a culture can prove difficult in bridging gaps in those things that may continue to divide us. In the case of Teutophobia the fear is specifically related to all things German.
This fear can be linked to the German language, the heritage it represents or even recipes or objects that are specific to the German culture.
What Causes Teutophobia?
Let’s start with events that are not based on personal experience. It is possible to look at the history of any culture and find events that seem barbaric. Viewing those historical events can allow an individual to conclude that the culture represented should be feared. The problem with this approach is that the assumptions unfairly link past events with a new generation. The conclusions may rightfully be said to be based in prejudice.
The second cause may be personal experience with the culture. A past event involving the culture could cause you to believe that the culture should be feared.
When the language is feared it is most often tied to what is not known. When someone speaks a language you do not know it can be easy to conclude they are speaking badly about you or perhaps sharing information you feel should be common knowledge.
The fear can also be passed on from an adult in your family or among your friends who lived through a traumatic experience involving something associated with German culture.
Symptoms of Teutophobia
An individual with this fear may show signs of panic in hearing the language, seeing foods known to originate within the German culture or in seeing artifacts from Germany. It may be amazing to some that the presence of something can ignite the fear, but it can, and it does.
Other symptoms may also include…
- Trembling
- Visible anxiety
- Air hunger
- Nausea
- Weeping
- Loss of control
- An urge to flee
Certain times of the year may also be extremely troubling for someone with Teutophobia. For instance Octoberfest can be reason enough for a person with this fear to avoid social interaction outside their home. It may be as troubling for those who have this fear as Halloween is to others.
How to Overcome Teutophobia
In some cases the art of overcoming this fear may be tied to intentionally learning more about the German culture. In many cases the fear is based on misunderstanding or mistrust. By learning more about the German people and their culture you may find you have more in common with them than you realized.
For those who live with the aftermath of personal trauma related to the German culture you need to know that a therapist can help you deal with the fear and access needed forgiveness.
A therapist can help you deal with the emotional struggles you may be facing and help you identify when and why you began to fear the German culture.
By understanding these issues in a greater way you may find the fear decreasing.
The fear of German things is also referred to as:
- German fear
- Teutophobia
