Last Updated on January 2, 2023 by Mike Robinson

Pentheraphobia is an unfounded fear and dislike of one’s mother-in-law. This can be unjustified and persistent, which is a problem for the affected person, who may feel their options in life are severely constrained in some ways.

The truth is that it is absolutely real, and many people must somehow live with the constant fear of a relative so close. Even though it might seem humorous given the number of jokes people make about mothers-in-law.

Pentheraphobia

Although it is not among the more widespread phobias, it is still important to define this condition and understand its signs, causes, and remedies.

Definition

An irrational fear of the mother-in-law is known as pentheraphobia. The Greek words “penthera,” which means “mother-in-law,” and “phobos,” which means “hatred or fear,” were combined to create the word.

It is a specific phobia, and it is important to clarify that it differs from a simple dislike or hatred because it can seriously affect the sufferer of the disorder.

To do so, it must meet a series of requirements that are established in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). These are:

• excessive and persistent fear towards a mother-in-law
• states of anxiety or panic in the presence of their mother-in-law.
• avoidance by all means of being in contact with the mother of their spouse

It can be assumed that a patient truly has a phobia if they acknowledge these symptoms and acknowledge that they are excessive, given how dangerous their fear is.

Socerafobia (fear of in-laws in general), vitricofobia (fear of the stepfather), and novercaphobia are three disorders that are closely related to pentheraphobia.

Symptoms

The symptoms change depending on the mental health of the person with the disorder. That is, just like with any other phobia, each person experiences fear to a different degree.

Some of the most common symptoms of mother-in-law phobia are:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Discomfort
• Tremors
• Short of breath
• breathing and a rapid and irregular heartbeat
• Excessive sweating
• Dry mouth
• inability to articulate a word
• Screams and cries
• Panic attacks
• Extreme anxiety

Given this situation, the son-in-law or daughter-in-law chooses to avoid any contact with their mother-in-law. Additionally, it will be difficult to look at photos of her or her gifts. Doing so will evoke feelings of her presence and stimulate the symptoms you are trying to avoid.

Causes of pentheraphobia

Being such a peculiar phobia, it is difficult to determine what the causes are that can develop this irrational fear.

In general, it is believed that phobias arise as a result of traumatic events in childhood. Something that has to be ruled out because it is rare that an infant has a mother-in-law at such an early age.

In any case, it may be due to a parent’s bad experience with their mother-in-law. In that case, it would be due to what is called “family conditioning.”

Some scientists believe that genetics plays a significant role in the development of phobias; they are inclined to believe that if you have a relative who suffers from a phobia, you may be more likely than other people to do so as well.

Additionally, sociology is likely to play a significant part in this situation. Mothers-in-law have been categorized as envious, controlling, or competitive throughout the ages. Whether it is true or not, this has had a significant impact on how we see them.

Treatment options

As we frequently observe, if you experience a phobia of any kind, you should confirm that you meet the DSM’s criteria and seek the help of a psychologist or other expert in the field. They will support you in coping with and comprehending your issue’s root so it can be resolved.

These professionals frequently use the following treatment methods:

Hypnotherapy

With a specialist’s assistance, the person allows his subconscious mind to become more accessible so that his ingrained behavior patterns can change. The issue will be solved more quickly, and the therapy will be more successful if the cause is identified. The expert will implant empowering notions about your mother-in-law in your mind. a mental adjustment that helps people overcome their fear. Despite the American Medical Association’s approval in 1958, many people hesitate to allow someone else to manipulate their thoughts.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

The NLP is based on personal development therapies and psychotherapy that apply to changing the behavior or abilities of the person suffering from the phobia. Before applying them, it is necessary to get to the root of the problem.

In this way, the thoughts can be remodeled, and the preconceived notions of the mother-in-law can be modified.

Relaxation therapies

This type of therapy uses techniques such as yoga, pilates, tai chi, or acupressure.

This will introduce some life habits that will improve the energy on the surface of the skin and stimulate electrochemistry in the brain.

It should be noted that although it has more and more followers among the experts, it is still a controversial therapy because it is unclear if it can help to overcome or improve a phobia.

Tips

• Be positive and prepare mentally to fight fear.
• Do not resort to the basics. Taking drugs, alcohol, or certain antidepressants will only make the situation worse.
• Do not hide what you feel.
• Educate yourself. Knowledge is power.
• Surround yourself with those closest to you. Those people will serve as a crutch in the fight against this disease.
• Avoid toxic or negative people. They will only slow or worsen the treatment and recovery.
• Attend group therapy where you meet more people like you.
• Look at the evidence and understand that your fear is not so bad.
• Imagine what the worst thing that can happen to you is. Fear flees the more you pursue it.
• Face your fears. The first day will be difficult, but little by little, you will be able to overcome what frightens you.

Surely today you have discovered one of the rarest phobias that exist. In your case, do you have problems with your mother-in-law? Are you unable to be in the same room as her? Tell us about your experience!