What is Zoophobia (Phobia of Animals) and How to Treat it?

Zoophobia is generally referred to as fear of animals. Some individuals who have zoophobia mostly experience fear of a specific type of animal, while others fear all types. This is the nature of anxiety disorder, and it triggers intense fear when coming in contact with an animal.

In this context, all the crucial aspects of zoophobia have been highlighted to create optimum awareness among people.

It is pivotal to understand that zoophobia is a general term used for animal-related phobias. For instance, people with zoophobia might have:

• Cynophobia or fear of dogs.
• Apiphobia or fear of bees.
• Arachnophobia or fear of spiders.
• Musophobia or fear of rats or mice.
• Ornithophobia or fear of birds.

Though many people around the globe suffer from some type of zoophobia, the exact cause that triggers the fear among them is yet unknown. However, mostly, zoophobia may trigger certain individuals when they are exposed to animals or are watching videos or pictures of the same.

The symptoms of zoophobia will differ from person to person and the specific animals they fear. However, there are some common physical signs that are traceable among people suffering from such a phobia. These signs are evident if someone sees a specific animal. Regardless, the primary symptoms are:

• Accelerating heart rate or blood pressure.
• Rapid breathing.
• Shaking or feeling tremors.
• Nausea.
• Chills and dizziness.
• Confusion or difficulty in concentrating.

In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, zoophobia may impact differently to children who may:

• Cry and scream.
• Throw tantrums.
• Hide behind someone when in contact with any animals.
• Immediately cling to a parent.
• Become silent or frozen. 

In general, the signs of zoophobia instigate fear, anxiety and panic among individuals suffering from it. These uncontrollable feelings trigger different physical issues and traumas that must be medically attended to.

Usually, the factors that drive the sense of fear caused due to zoophobia cannot be stated definitively. However, there are a few prominent causes that work as a risk factors for zoophobia:

• Unpleasant Experiences: For an individual to experience the effects of zoophobia, past negative encounters can become a prominent cause. For example, if a person faces an unpleasant event associated with a certain animal, he or she may develop a fear of it.
• Genetics or Family History: Family history of phobias or genetics plays a significant role in causing these kinds of phobias. For example, a lot of individuals experience zoophobia or any other specific type of animal phobia because they inherited it from their parents.
• Mental Health Problems: Sometimes, a prevailing mental health issue may act as a cause of developing certain phobias. It is found that individuals with pre-existing anxiety and depression are generally sensitive to phobias.

Usually, the diagnosis of zoophobia involves the healthcare professional asking a plethora of questions to understand the depth of the issue. As many symptoms of this phobia can be related to different mental health conditions or anxiety, the doctor will evaluate before prescribing to cope with zoophobia.

Here are the following questions that a provider may ask:

• Has the sense of fear or anxiety lasted more than six months?
• Does the individual avoid any situation or thoughts of the animal encounter?
• When is the person facing extreme panic or anxiety?
• Are the persistent symptoms hindering one’s daily work life?

Upon assessment of the same, the doctor will plan the treatment procedure and recommend therapy programs if required.

With the advancement of medical science, many effective treatments are available to cure zoophobia and other phobias. Here are the most prominent ones:

Exposure Therapy

In this therapy, the individual with zoophobia will be slowly exposed to the animal they fear. The entire process will take place under the supervision of medical professionals. In addition, the therapist in this type of program will help an individual learn some tactics to deal with the anxiety that occurs due to the phobia.

This also involves getting familiar with breathing techniques or relaxation procedures while being exposed to any animals.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Therapists use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to treat various types of phobias, including zoophobia, and manage anxiety disorders. The primary objective of this treatment procedure is to change or alter the mindset that is related to fear or irrational beliefs.

Generally, an authorised therapist conducts this program where he or she helps the patient identify and manage any negative behaviour and overcome the fear. CBT can be combined with exposure therapy for better effects.

Medication

Doctors may prescribe medicines to reduce the effect of fear arising from some phobia for a short time. These medications help one cope with anxiety and restrict the traces of co-occurring mental issues.

Some of the effective medicines that most healthcare professionals recommend to patients for any type of zoophobia are:

• Beta-blockers offer relief from anxiousness, rapid heart rate and high blood pressure.
• Antidepressants, mostly serotonin, help to relax.
• Benzodiazepines act as tranquilisers.

The treatment programs are based on individual needs and unique symptoms; hence they vary from person to person. It is important to note that a patient needs to consume these medications to cure the problems as well as take the recommended therapies under medical guidance. As these pharmacological medicines can cause different side effects, it will be advisable to consult with a doctor and assess the risk factors of these medicines.

Different facilities help individuals with zoophobia learn coping mechanisms against the paranoia or fear encountered due to these phobias. To impart ease and reduce anxiety, doctors generally recommend the following tips:

• Doing exercise regularly, mostly aerobics, for mood upliftment.
• Performing breathing exercises and meditation.
• Yoga and drinking more fluids.
• Connecting with friends and family to help cope with fears.

Professional intervention or support is quintessential if the symptoms of zoophobia affect the workflow of daily lives. For example, the uncontrollable fear or unstoppable thoughts of animals can hinder one's relationship with the close circle, work or school responsibility, social communication, etc.

Hence, it becomes pivotal to seek medical help as the signs of zoophobia or any other phobia cause detrimental effects. Zoophobia is completely treatable with proper medication and counseling. With the help of different therapies, group activities and following the treatment plan diligently, an individual can overcome the cascading effect of any phobias with time.