Fear of Animals
Zoophobia is the fear of animals. It can refer to a fear of a specific animal or to a fear of all animals. Zoophobias are one of the most common types of specific phobia. The most common zoophobias are those to snakes and spiders.
It’s okay to have some worries about animals, but if the fear of an animal is affecting your livelihood and daily life, it may be time to seek some professional help to help guide you through the fear and phobia.
Zoophobia symptoms:
1.Intense fear upon seeing an animal, even in a picture that triggers anxiety.
2. Completely avoiding a place with animals, such as zoo.
3. Immediate reaction in terms of screaming, crying and attempts to run away.
4. Realising that the fear is irrational in adults.
5. Thoughts of being attacked by an animal.
6. Panic attacks with visible physical signs such as sweating, trouble in breathing, nausea or vomiting, trembling, racing heartbeat, abdominal uneasiness, dizziness or fainting.
How common is phobia of animals?
Overall, specific phobias are common. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), about 12.5 percent of adults in the United States will experience a specific phobia during their lifetimes.
Treating animal phobia
Under the guidance of a mental health professional, the following psychological therapies and drugs can be used to treat animal phobias:
Exposure therapy using relaxation techniques
Probably one of the most effective psychological therapies used to treat specific phobias, exposure therapy enables people to withstand terrible situations involving animals or their images. In addition, relaxation techniques such as controlled breathing, mental imagination and meditation are taught to cope with the anxiety of contact with animals. The purpose of this therapy is to slowly build tolerance for fear.
CBT, phobia counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, Indian expression In CBT, counsellors guide people to understand phobias and help them release stress and anxiety. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT is related to changing a person’s thoughts and behaviours through regular consultation meetings, where the counsellor tries to understand the inner thoughts that cause fear.
Counsellors guide people to understand phobias, help them release stress and anxiety, and cultivate more confidence to face their fear of animals. Medications: In severe cases, prescribe anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications to balance brain chemicals to control fear and anxiety.
Do you feel scared of an animal? If so, do you remember what it is you are exactly scared of in that animal?
You can contact us or NHS for help with CBT to fight the fear of animals now.
