Zoophobia — briefly about the main

"The greatest pleasure is to do what others think you cannot do!"

(Peter Drucker)

"Zoophobia" — fear of animals. In most cases, the fear of animals is directed at a specific type of animal. Although, a person suffering from zoophobia may be afraid of animals in general.

Zoophobia is one of the many types of specific phobias. Phobia is an anxiety disorder in which a person experiences a strong, exaggerated fear of something — be it an animal, object, or situation.

What causes fear of animals?

The exact cause of zoophobia is unknown. Most likely, the phobia is triggered by a combination of several factors that contribute to the development of a painful condition, for example:

1. Negative experience: a person who is attacked by a dog may become afraid of dogs.
2. Genetics — It can play a role in the development of certain phobias.
3. Inability to overcome own fears. People experience fear in different ways. Due to their sociocultural environment, some people simply may be particularly sensitive to fear, such as darkness because in childhood they were told scary tales.

Symptoms of zoophobia

One of the main symptoms of a phobia is fear of uncertainty. This fear is usually exaggerated in relation to the real threat posed by the object of fear.

In the case of zoophobia, people experience fear when they come into contact with animals. It is important to note that fear does not necessarily appear in the immediate presence of the animal. A person suffering from zoophobia may also experience fear when:

• thinking about an animal,
• talking about an animal,
• hearing about an animal,
• viewing pictures or videos of an animal.

Thus, a person suffering from zoophobia can avoid any activity that somehow associates with animals, for example, does not visit friends who have pets. This prevents people from living fulfilling lives.

There are known physical symptoms associated with certain phobias. For example, a person suffering from zoophobia, with direct or imaginary contact with animals, may show the following symptoms:

• heart palpitations,
• increased sweating,
• trembling,
• shortness of breath,
• feeling dizzy or weak,
• nausea.

Zoophobia signs in children:

• fading,
• crying,
• numbness,
• hysteria.

The most common phobias of animals

Zoophobia can develop in relation to any species of animals. Cases of fear of all types of animals are rare. Some forms of zoophobia are more common than others. These are:

• aelurophobia (fear of cats)
• arachnophobia (fear of spiders)
• chiroptophobia (fear of bats)
• cynophobia (fear dogs)
• Entomophobia (fear insects)
• equinophobia (phobia horses)
• equinophobia (fear horses)
• helminthophobia (fear worms)
• herpetophobia (fear reptiles)
• ichthyophobia ( fear of fish)
• mellisophobia (fear of bees)
• musophobia (fear of mice and rats)
• ophidiophobia (fear of snakes)
• ornithophobia (fear of birds)
• ranidaphobia (fear of frogs and toads)

The above fears of animals account for the majority of zoophobia. It is believed that factors such as feelings of disgust and perceived danger play a special role in how common these two zoophobia are.

How to live with zoophobia

If you have zoophobia, follow these rules:

1. Avoid direct contact with animal species that make you fearful.
2. Lead a healthy lifestyle: eat food in moderation and quality; go in for sports; observe the regime of day and night.
3. Practice stress-relieving techniques such as exercise, breathing techniques, yoga, meditation.
4. Talk about your experiences with family members or friends — people you trust.

When to turn to medicine

When zoophobia interferes with: 

1. relationships with friends and family,
2. work and study,
3. social activity,
4. daily activities.

If you recognize yourself behind these problems, then you should see a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. He will talk to you about your feelings and symptoms. Using the information received from you, a psychologist or psychiatrist will develop an individual treatment plan for you.

Zoophobia treatment options

Exposure therapy

During exposure therapy, you will encounter the object of your fear in a metered manner. Take a specific type of zoophobia, ornithophobia (fear of birds), as an example of how this type of therapy can progress over time. The scenarios are that at first you will think about the birds, and at the end of the therapy you will allow the bird to sit in your arms. As part of exposure therapy, your therapist will also teach you skills to help you deal with the anxiety caused by your phobia.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT is often combined with exposure therapy. Work with the therapist to work through the negative thoughts and feelings that lead to your phobia. As you gradually progress through the therapy scenario, from the thought of animals causing your phobia, you will learn to deal with painful experiences so that you can touch the object of your phobia. 

To cope with mild forms of fear of animals, we invite you to our contact zoo (Kiev, VDNKh). In our Park, you can combine two methods of therapy for zoophobia — exposure and cognitive-behavioral. Here you can both observe animals from afar, and come close to animals to feed or pet them. How close to communicate with our pets, you decide for yourself. The process of communication between guests and residents of our Park is organized in such a way that both the first and the second are safe and comfortable — they can avoid communication when they want it.