Algophobia Algophobia Algophobia is a phobia of pain - an abnormal and persistent fear of pain that is far more powerful than that of a normal person. Algophobia is much more common in elderly people. It can be treated with behavioral therapy and anti-anxiety medication. The term comes from the , "álgos", "pain" and , "phóbos", "fear". According to Sabino Metta, a behavioral psychologist, the phobic reaction is a learned behavior. A common example of this would be an elderly person who hears about all of their friends suffering from various ailments and pains. This person will begin to anticipate the
Fear of medical procedures evaluating or modifying health status in traditional health care settings." Fear of medical procedures can be classified under a broader category of “blood, injection, and injury phobias”. This is one of five subtypes that classify specific phobias. A specific phobia is defined as a “marked and persistent fear that is excessive or unreasonable, cued by the presence (or anticipation) of a specific object or situation.” Often these fears begin to appear in childhood, around the age of five to nine. It seems to be a natural feeling to become squeamish at the sight of blood, injury or gross deformity, but