Global pop sensation Miley Cyrus can buy herself flowers, but there's one everyday thing she absolutely cannot stand: touching paper. In a surprising revelation, the singer shared that this intense aversion, known as papyrophobia, played a key role in her decision to accept musician Maxx Morando's marriage proposal.
Miley Cyrus's Unusual "Ick" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
During a recent candid chat on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Cyrus opened up about her deep-seated dislike for paper. She described herself as "a little bit of a Grinch" due to her issues with the holiday season, primarily because of the prevalence of paper. "I hate paper, like looking at that makes me want to vomit," the singer confessed to the host.
She elaborated that the real trigger is the sensation of dry hands touching paper. "Then it’s Christmas and it’s cold and everyone’s hands are dry and they’re all touching paper," she explained, highlighting how a common winter scenario becomes a source of discomfort for her.
Cyrus was quick to label her issue as "a phobia" and admitted she needs help managing it. This is where her fiancé, Maxx Morando, becomes her hero. "That’s the best part — that’s really why I got engaged because I just make my fiancé open all the packages outside," she stated humorously, crediting him for handling all cardboard recycling and paper-related tasks.
Understanding Papyrophobia: More Than Just a Dislike
What Miley Cyrus describes aligns with a condition called papyrophobia, an irrational and persistent fear of paper. The term originates from the Greek words "papyro" (paper) and "phobos" (fear). According to the Cleveland Clinic, individuals with this phobia may experience panic attacks at the sight or touch of paper, or even at the thought of getting a paper cut. This can make handling books, mail, or wrapped items incredibly distressing.
It is important to note that the American Psychiatric Association does not officially list papyrophobia as a distinct phobic disorder in its diagnostic manual. However, a qualified mental health professional can diagnose a specific phobia based on a patient's symptoms and their impact on daily life.
Symptoms and Potential Treatments for Paper Phobia
When confronted with paper, a person with papyrophobia can exhibit several physical and psychological symptoms. These commonly include:
- Feelings of intense anxiety or dread
- Dizziness and shortness of breath
- Nausea and sweating
- Dry mouth and rapid heartbeat
Thankfully, like other specific phobias, papyrophobia can be managed with professional help. Mental health experts often recommend therapies such as:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): To challenge and change negative thought patterns associated with paper.
- Exposure Therapy: A gradual, controlled process of being exposed to paper to reduce fear over time.
- Medications: In some cases, doctors may prescribe anti-anxiety medications to help manage severe symptoms.
For Miley Cyrus and Maxx Morando, this unique challenge has become a bonding experience. It seems that for them, couples who navigate personal phobias together, truly do stay together, with Morando happily taking on the role of the household's official package-opener.
