Zoophobia is a type of fear syndrome characterized by an phobia, extreme fear of one or more animals. Some common fears such as fear of spiders, fear of mice, fear of cockroaches, fear of birds, fear of dogs, fear of cats,…
What is Zoophobia?
Zoophobia is an extreme fear, irrational phobia related to animals. People with Zoophobia may have an excessive fear of animals in general (such as creatures that move, or wiggle) or a specific fear of one or several animals. In other cases, there is also an irrational fear or simply dislike of animals that are not humans.
agoraphobia is a form of phobia and many people suffer from it. Some people feel afraid of reptiles, others feel afraid of spiders, mice, cockroaches, etc. Some types of fear of animals are:
– Insectophobia: Fear of insects that say them
- Arachnophobia (Fear of Spiders)
- Melissophobia (Fear of bees)
Herpetophobia (fear of reptiles):
- Ophidiophobia (fear of snakes)
Fear of animals (mammals):
- Cynophobia (Cynophobia)
- Musophobia or Murophobia: This is a common and common fear in women.
- Ailurophobia: Many people feel phobias and fear with the eyes of cats, fear of them staring at people, fear of the color of cats.
- Equinophobia: This fear may stem from the fear of being kicked by a horse.
- Chiropterophobia: A phobia related to vampires, blood-sucking bats.
Fear of other species:
- Ichthyophobia: Fear of eating fish, fear of dead fish, fear of touching fish.
- Vermiphobia: Fear of slipping, twisting, and writhing.
- Ranidaphobia: Fear of frog skin, fear of amphibians in general.
- Ornithophobia (fear of birds)
- Alektorophobia (fear of chickens)
Signs of fear of animals
One of the most typical and common symptoms of people with phobias is an extreme, overwhelming fear of an animal or species. This fear is often magnified with irrational threats from the animal. Many people will feel fear, anxiety, panic when this animal appears or even when it is not present.
A person with a fear of animals will experience extreme anxiety, restlessness, or fear when thinking, hearing, or talking about the animals that haunt them. Or these symptoms may also appear when they see videos and pictures of that animal. They will tend to avoid activities that come into contact with animals or go to places where they usually live.
For example, they may avoid watching movies, shows about animals, not going to the zoo or even never visiting homes with pets. Although this condition does not affect health, it will limit social activities or even affect surrounding relationships.
In addition, those who suffer from phobias of animals, when exposed to animals they are obsessed with, they will appear more physical symptoms. For example, chest tightness, increased heart rate, sweating, panic attacks, tremors, nausea, shortness of breath, loss of control, or even fainting. Children can cry, cling to those around them, and scream violently.
Fear of Animals – What Causes It?
It is not yet clear what causes the fear of animals. However, a number of specialist studies have also identified a few factors that are likely to contribute to this fear. Specifically as:
- It is due to negative past experiences that cause a person to become obsessed with one or more different types of animals.
- Compare the influence of learned behaviors from parents, relatives, friends, teachers or anyone. According to experts, how to be afraid of animals can also be learned from people around. For example, if your father or mother has a phobia of spiders, you can learn that and begin to feel fear of spiders.
- Genetics can also be a factor in some cases of agoraphobia.
- Because each person’s ability to handle fear is different. For those who are constantly anxious, shy, and fearful, it is more likely to develop specific phobias.
An effective remedy for people who are afraid of animals
Phobias can be well treated with early detection and timely application of appropriate interventions. Treatment is usually carried out when fear affects and impairs quality of life, negatively affecting relationships around.
Treatments can reduce the symptoms of fear, helping patients gradually control their fear. Here are some commonly used measures:
1. Exposure therapy
According to experts, the best way to control and alleviate fear of animals is to face and contact the object of phobia. During the treatment process, the specialist doctor will gradually let the subject get closer and closer to the animal they are feeling afraid of. Steps of exposure will be taken in increasing increments, based on the anxiety level and tolerance of each different subject.
For example, a scenario to help you improve your agoraphobia is:
- First you start thinking about birds
- Talking about birds
- Look at the picture of a bird
- Hear the birds singing
- Watch videos and footage of different birds.
- Go to the zoo to see the birds.
- Touch or pet a small bird.
- Let a bird perch on your hand or body.
In order to do this therapy effectively, your doctor will teach you some necessary skills to control your emotions, manage your anxiety and fear in the face of phobias. image. At the same time, you will also be taught a relaxation technique, deep breathing to limit your fear.
2. Cognitive behavioral therapy
Along with the application of exposure therapy, cases of agoraphobia will also be overcome with cognitive and behavioral therapy. With this combination, it will help you deal with negative thoughts and emotions, thereby limiting and reducing fear and anxiety when interacting with animals.
Psychologists will talk directly with the subject, tapping into their subconscious and thinking to be able to adjust inappropriate thoughts and behaviors. You will gradually reframe your beliefs and emotions so you can reduce your fear. At the same time, experts also help you to have a more accurate perception of animals, thereby helping you to free yourself from your obsession.
3. Drug use
For some necessary cases, fear directly affects daily life and family and social relationships, it is necessary to consider using some drugs to control. Although currently there is no medicine that can cure this fear, but the drugs used will be able to control and reduce anxiety and fear during treatment. .
Usually, doctors will assess each subject’s condition to prescribe the most appropriate dose. Certain sedatives or beta-blockers will be used in many cases of agoraphobia.
On the other hand, these drugs need to be prescribed by a specialist. You absolutely must not buy drugs for self-use to avoid causing unfortunate consequences. Because if used in inappropriate doses, it is more likely to increase fear or cause dangerous consequences for health.
4. Other support measures
In addition to the above-mentioned treatments, to limit the fear of animals, you also need to build a healthy lifestyle, equip yourself with relaxation techniques, and deal with fear. Here are a few measures you can take:
- To avoid the fear of animals, you should try to limit your contact or participation in activities related to animals that make you afraid.
- Build yourself a healthy diet, fortified with fresh foods, rich in essential vitamins and minerals.
- Regular exercise is also a way to improve your mental and physical health. When you have a healthy and flexible body, you will also feel more confident and reduce unnecessary fears.
- Pay more attention to sleep, find ways to improve your sleep quality to always have a refreshing and energetic spirit.
- Actively engage in activities that connect with people around you to feel more comfortable and happy.
The information of the above article has helped readers understand more about phobias and can easily explain their irrational fears about animals such as dogs, cats, and spiders. If you’re noticing the impact of fear on your life, you should also consider seeing a professional and talking to a professional for the best advice.
