Ornithophobia: what it is, causes and treatment

Phobiasare a type of disorder, which usually present symptoms intimately linked toanxietyand develop fromtraumatic experiencesduring childhood or simply a believing rationalization that only humans are the ones who should inhabit the earth.

In this sense, zoophobiacomes from the Greekzoonwhich means animal and the wordphoboswhich means fear. Within it, there are other fears or more specific phobias such asornithophobia.

In the next article we will talk about it, about its causes, symptoms and treatments to overcome it.

What is ornithophobia?

Ornithophobia is defined asthe irrational fear of birds or birds, where psychological elements of fear and differenttypes of anxiety are presented.

Note: There are forms of ornithophobia where they only includecertain types of birds, such as very large ones, only feeling discomfort in their presence, fear of an attack, among others.

Although it can be controlled, it is quite clear thatit produces many limitationsdue to the symptomatology and how overwhelming the presence of a bird usually is for the person.

It makes departures or trips almost impossible, because it is absolutely inevitable to cross paths with any of them throughout a day.

Causes of ornithophobia

Ornithophobia can bederived for different reasons, which will be mentioned and described below for understanding and identification.

Direct traumatic experiences

Atraumatic experience, such as thepersecution in childhood by a bird or birds, is likely an apparent reason for the production of a psychological imprint that motivates the presence of the phobia.

To highlight: They are classified asnegative encounters, even if any of them stole some food from the proximity of the infant, this could produce sequelae due to the feeling of panic, as well as the violent entry into the house that has caused too much uproar. (1)

Observing the experiences of others

The visualization of a traumatic experience of someone close, which has also produced a feeling of fear or despair, more than anything, during childhood, is sufficient reason for the development of a fear or phobia.

Reception of negative information

Biologically and naturally, the existence of fear is possible without the need for traumatic elementsthat influence it. There are even people who believe that animals, in general terms, should not exist except for humans.

Note: This constitutes a limited and closed perception , which produces rejection or fear of birds, and which then triggers ornithophobia.

Genetic Component

Suffering from certain specific phobias may have a Genetic Component that influences their development, such as those of an anxious personality and the presence of thoughts with a sensation of fear and constant threat.

Symptoms of ornithophobia

As we previously mentioned, the symptoms of ornithophobia are characterized by feeling anxiety attacks , even more so, there are much more aggravated symptoms that will be mentioned and described below for their identification.

Anxiety

Anxiety can develop in advance or at the time of the meeting, being one of the most common symptoms and presenting with them:

• Tachycardia
• sweating
• Tremors
• Dry mouth

Panic attacks

This refers to the appearance of a panic attack,due to sudden and unexpected contact with a bird. It leads in many cases to theprovocation of serious physical reactions , even when there is no real or apparent danger to other individuals.

Note: Panic attacks are the transition from a severe anxiety attack.

sweating and palpitations

Note: Palpitations are a reaction thatproduces irregular heartbeatswhen facing situations (which in this case involve birds), which alter or stress us, cause fear or anxiety.

Nausea and dizziness

High anxietyPicturescause a reaction in the body that is translated by the stomach as high levels of accumulated stress, which leads to nausea, a mechanism that the body applies to relieve or release the feeling of stress.

Tremors

The way the body reacts to fear or a feeling of threat can cause involuntary tremors in the hands or legstag. It is a quite characteristic symptom of nervous anxiety and is quite feasible in situations of phobias.(two)

How can you overcome ornithophobia?

Phobias are psychological disorders that can be treated through therapies,or at least, diminished or faced. The most commonly used techniques for this will be mentioned and described below.

Exposure therapy

These therapies are a specific technique, which is used in post-traumatic cases that lead to the production of phobias. They are put into practice toHelp individuals overcome situations associated with traumatic symptoms and fears.

The therapy consists of providing help, toAnguishthat usually addresses in cases of being faced with certain triggers, always taking care not to cause new traumas.

Important: Therapy should never be compulsorily submitted, since there will be no satisfactory answers but much more stress will develop.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

These types of therapies are aimed at visualizing negative situations with more clarity and effectiveness in the face of the responses that occur in our body.

The union of these two Psychological Currents ( Behaviourism and cognitive) focus on the production of behaviors through situations that led to certain learning through emotions. The goal is toRedirectThey while always taking care of emotional health.

Relaxation Techniques

They are Techniques applied directly to Control Stress , which then allows influencing the appearance of anxiety due to phobias.

Note: There are also hypnosis techniques that allow suggestive intervention and produce conditioned responses to the objectives to be achieved. (3)

They are also used to Panic Attacks Control , through breathing techniques, and are also usually intended as a complement to therapies, especially exposure.

Key Findings

• Ornithophobia is an Irrational Fear of Birds that produces stress, anxiety and panic as its main manifestation.
• Fears can be developed by Traumatic Experiences or genetic influence on the development of the person.
• Ornithophobia can be treated thanks to techniques that allow coping with it or controlling the emotions that stress conditions usually develop.
• It has symptoms quite similar to anxiety attacks and in many cases nausea is present.
• For the identification of ornithophobia we can allow ourselves to study that such encounters produce undue anxiety andThe sounds emitted are considered terrifying.