Zoophobia is a persistent fear of particular animals or a disproportionate fear of animals. The word “phobia” is derived from the Greek word Phobos that refers to something horror or fear. For example-Acrophobia is fear of height, and hydrophobia is fear of water.
When anybody has a phobia, they experience disproportionate fear of certain places, situations, and objects. Phobia is not similar to regular fear because they cause stress, creates an imbalance in regular life.
A person with phobia always tries to ignore the situation and object which causes fear in them or persists within intense stress and anxiety.
Phobia comes under anxiety disorder. As per the study, more than 30 percent of adults in the U.S are facing any phobias in their lifetime.
The author’s review refers to many phobias that come in childhood. Many phobias go out of adult age, but a few people stay with some specific phobia in their lifetime.
Females are more susceptible to phobias in comparison with males. As per the mental health survey, around 10 percent of females were found with some specific type of phobia.
Table of Contents
What is Zoophobia?
Zoophobia refers to the illogical or baseless fear of certain animals. It mentions a group of animals or a particular animal. For example, People have seen many females develop an irrational fear when they see lizards at home.
Zoophobia can develop from an incredible lousy experience with one animal or create from disliking a particular animal.
For example- if a lady whom a monkey bit may develop a zoophobia fear of monkeys due to the bad experience from one monkey. However, it is also feasible for a person with Zoophobia to fear a group of animals.
What Causes a Fear of Animals?
The actual causes of Zoophobia are unknown. It is possible that several elements can come up to the development of animal phobia situations.
- Bad Experiences: – Having past bad experiences with an animal can develop an irrational fear of that particular animal. For example;- someone whose cats have bitten may become afraid of cats.
- Gain from Observation: – A person can also learn Zoophobia from people around him, such as his father and siblings. For example:-if your mom has a fear of lizards, you will also start fearing the lizard.
- Genetics: – Some phobias also come from our genes. Your DNA has already been fixed with some specific type of phobia.
- Anxiety:- Some people develop a phobia in different ways. Some people are getting more sensitive than others that cause the development of phobias.
Symptoms of Zoophobia
Phobia is just an unrealistic fear of any object, thing, and situation. One of the specific symptoms of phobia is the development of immense fear of something. This fear is generally overvalued compared to the usual trepidation.
In the situation of Zoophobia, people experience enormous fear when they come in contact with an animal. Nevertheless, a person needs to know that connection does not mean that only physical exposure to a particular animal is not the cause. A person with this phobia may also fear when
- Someone is talking about that particular animal.
- People with Zoophobia can face anxiety while thinking about that animal
- If they see a dream of that animal, they react very badly
- They cannot hear about that animal
- They cannot watch the movie to related that animal
- They cannot see the picture of that animal
- They come with exposure to anxiety if anything happens related to that animal.
People with Zoophobia like to ignore activities and talks that relate them with an animal of fear. You can find them ignoring the things related to that particular animal, including watching, thinking, talking, and touching. They also avoid visiting their relatives and friends who have pets.
They do not want to visit a zoo and watching any documentary related to that particular animal. People do not express it only mentally, and they may observe the physical symptoms as well. For example, a person with Zoophobia may also face the following symptoms when coming up with contact with that animal:
- Tachycardia– This is the condition of increasing heart rate. If the heart goes over 100 beats can cause tachycardia or arrhythmias
- Hyperhidrosis– this means abnormal excessive sweating due to any medical condition or due to certain anxiety.
- Trembling or shaking due to attack of anxiety
- Feeling like there is no weight in the body and get faint due to shock. Fainting is the state of unconsciousness of the brain due to a lack of oxygen.
- Nausea– When a person feels more anxious at that time, his heart rate goes down, and he may experience shortness of breath.
Symptoms of Zoophobia in Children
- They start crying
- They may also experience the Hyperhidrosis
- They start to cling because they do not understand how to deal with that situation.
- They start screaming and hitting the object.
- They are holding their breath while crying also happens.
Common Animal Phobias
Ailurophobia
Ailurophobia refers to the abnormal fear of cats that express the anxiety inpatient. This term is known as also Europhobia and Gatophobia. If a person is ever got bitten by cats can feel anxiety while exposed to cats.
Arachnophobia
It is also a type of phobia that refers to the intense fear of spiders. It can make that person more sensitive, and he/she may suffer from intense threats.
Cynophobia
An intense phobia or fear from a dog is Cynophobia. As per a report, it affects 10 percent of the population around the world.
Entomophobia
An enormous fear insect is known as entomophobia. A feeling of overstressing while thinking about insects.
Melissophobia
Intense fear of bees can be overwhelming lead to anxiety.
Ophidiophobia
A person is struggling with the fear of snakes or intense fear of snakes.
Ornithophobia
Fear of being around the bird or some specific situation with the bird.
Ranidaphobia
Intense fear of being around the frog is ranidaphobia and cause anxiety when they think about frog and toads.
How to Deal with Zoophobia?
If a person has Zoophobia, they should do a few things that are given below:-
- They should avoid those places where the animals are present. It can help them to come up in exposure with animals.
- If you have persistent Zoophobia, you should take a good diet to keep yourself healthy. Moreover, it would help if you took proper sleep to keep yourself refreshed throughout the day.
- You can practice regular yoga to help you come out of anxiety and stress about a particular thing. You can do regular meditation as well.
- You can try some stress-relieving techniques such as listening to music, painting, walking, and you should watch your favorite movie.
- It would be best if you made friends and some social connect with others. Joining with a group of people may help you to come out from Zoophobia.
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What is the Importance of Medical science in Zoophobia?
If you are experiencing more physical stress due to Zoophobia, you should consult with a doctor immediately. You can make an appointment with mental health professionals for your condition.
A psychiatrist or psychologist can help you with this situation very well. Based on your situation, they can plan for the best medical treatment for you.
Treatment can help you to get rid of this phobia. A list of therapy is given below:-
Exposure Therapy
In this treatment, your medical expert helps you learn about exposure to a particular animal or object.
Cognitive Behavioral therapy
This therapy works on your thoughts and feelings that cause fear about a particular subject or animal.
Medication
Sometimes you experience intense anxiety needs short-term medication to help you overcome the physical symptoms. Beta-blockers have come under the list of drugs.
Takeaway
Zoophobia is the persistent fear of a particular animal or a group of species. It is the most common phobia around the world. Someone experiencing this phobia can come up with the exposure of intense anxiety. It is entirely different from a typical threat. Sometimes physical symptoms may notice in the person with Zoophobia. It can be treated with the help of mental health experts. You can also take some precautions, including avoiding the animals and ignoring the thoughts that come into your mind.
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