Balloon phobia

Response prevention is a type of exposure therapy. When dealing with patients who have globophobia, a doctor roughly handles a barely inflated balloon in the presence of a patient.[1] The patient will eventually hold the limp balloon themself to understand that it is not full enough to pop.[1] The balloon will then gradually become more inflated, and once it is filled enough to pop, squeaky noises should be intentionally produced by the balloon.[1] The patients are expected to be frightened by this action, so they should stand a great distance from the balloon and then gradually move closer once they feel more comfortable.[1] The same process of patients moving closer to the balloon should be followed except the balloon will actually pop this time.[1] The purpose of this practice is to assure people with globophobia that the noises balloons make are not harmful.[1] Patients are expected to not be as tense and apprehensive around balloons and the sounds they produce following exposure therapy.[1]

This form of exposure therapy was performed on a college-aged student with globophobia.[3] Before the experiment, the unnamed male reports that he tries to avoid balloons at all costs due to the great amount of distress they place on him.[3] He claims that he cannot be any more than four feet away from a balloon without feeling intense fear.[3] The experiment is conducted over the course of three days and involves the subject being surrounded by hundreds of balloons that are simultaneously popping.[3] The researchers found no clear signs of emotional distress of the man but noted him attempting to avoid the popping balloons.[3] Following the experiment's conclusion, the subject states that he does not attempt to avoid situations that may involve balloons anymore.[3] He has also reported that no additional balloon-related problems have intervened with his daily life.[3]

Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT is a common practice used to treat phobias.[2] It works "by deconstructing negative thought patterns surrounding balloons into smaller parts which will be focused on one at a time".[2]

Hypnotherapy involves relaxation techniques that assist in reducing stress, fear, and anxiety responses.[2] The objective of hypnotherapy sessions is to alter negative thoughts and memories surrounding balloons to generate a less fearful perception on them.[2]

Neuro linguistic memory manipulations or NLP manipulations entail "seeing yourself and your fears as if you are a third party" to detach yourself from the fear and to minimize the severity of distress balloons might produce.[5]

Potential medications to use to treat globophobia include beta blockers, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), sedatives, and anti-anxiety relievers.[2]