All about Photo and Computer Phobias

Photo phobias or sensitivity to light is not a disease. It is a symptom of an inflammation or infection that irritates the eyes.  

It can also be brought about by some serious illnesses that are indirectly affecting the eyes. Some of these are virus-caused illnesses and severe headaches or migraines.

It could also be caused by the natural eye color. People with lighter eye color are more likely to suffer light sensitivity or photo phobias since their eyes contain less pigment to protect them from strong and harsh light.

Some of the common causes of photo phobias are central nervous system disorder such as meningitis, corneal abrasion, and uveitis.

It may also be caused by excessive use of contact lens, refractive surgery, and retinal detachment.

Photo phobias are normally due to too much light entering the eye. This causes overstimulation of photo receptors in the retina and the excessive electric impulses to the optic nerve, resulting to aversion to light due to discomfort and pain.

People who are suffering from photo phobias will avert their eyes from direct light, seek the shelter of a room, or wear dark glasses. Treatment of photo phobia starts in addressing the root cause.

Computer phobic?

Another common fear is computer phobias or cyber phobia. It is characterized by fear of computers and using them.

Some of these related phobias are neophobia or fear of anything new, monophobia or fear of being alone, tropophobia or fear of making changes, and technophobia or fear of technology.

Computer phobias are coined in the 1980s after a condition of anxiety or aversion caused by technology.

It has been observed that most people who suffer computer phobias are hesitant to do any computer-related tasks as closing programs, cleaning drives, saving documents, and backing up computer programs.

In some instances, these people completely avoid tasks associated with computers or computers per se.

One way of treating computer phobias is through training, education, and exposure to computer technology.

People who suffer from this phobia are also advised to learn about phobias. It’s one way of making them aware of their own fear.

People with computer phobias also need support not only in using computers but more so in having the right attitude toward their fear.

They should realize that they don’t have to know everything about computers for them to be able to use it.

In fact, it’s helpful if they are willing to indulge in a trial and error effort for learning about them. It’s the best way to understand how computers work.