Gamophobia means?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2018

Explanation

Gamophobia is a specific phobia characterized by an intense and irrational fear of marriage or commitment.
The term originates from the Greek words 'gamos' (marriage) and 'phobos' (fear).
Individuals with this condition experience significant anxiety, and potentially panic attacks, at the thought of entering a long-term union.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option A: This describes Claustrophobia, which is the fear of confined or enclosed spaces.
Option C: This is not the definition of Gamophobia. Gamophobia is the fear of getting married, not the fear of a marriage ending.
Option D: This describes Monophobia or Autophobia, the fear of being alone or isolated.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definition of specific phobias, particularly Gamophobia as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses should recognize that phobias are genuine anxiety disorders that can significantly impact a patient's mental health, social relationships, and overall well-being.
During a psychosocial assessment, a nurse might uncover fears or anxieties that affect a patient's willingness to form stable relationships, which can be a source of significant distress and may require a mental health referral.
What if? If a patient expressed fear of being in the hospital room with the door closed, the nurse should suspect Claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces), not Gamophobia. The appropriate nursing action would be to alleviate their anxiety, such as leaving the door open if safe and appropriate.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing knowledge of medical terminology.
Identify the root word in the question: "Gamophobia".
Break down the word into its Greek components if you know them: 'gamos' (which relates to marriage) and 'phobos' (which means fear).
Combine the meanings of the root words to deduce the definition: "Fear of marriage".
Scan the options to find the one that matches this definition.
If unsure of the root word, use the process of elimination by identifying the correct terms for the other options (e.g., knowing 'fear of closed place' is Claustrophobia).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Definition of specific phobias, particularly Gamophobia.
Stem keywords: Gamophobia
Lead-in keywords: means

Question ID

QfIO19OI6dN6FrVk4cxtJF

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 3869-3872

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