Fear of animals is a completely natural human reaction. Bears and lions are feared by everyone, because they are among the most frightening and dangerous animals. However, when you can’t stand the presence of a cat, when the sight of a dog makes you anxious – in short, when all the animals in the animal kingdom scare you – you have to admit there’s a problem.

Rest assured, zoophobia or animal phobia can be overcome. Let’s take a closer look.

What is fear of animals?

It’s a fear that doesn’t focus on any particular animal. In fact, all animals provoke an irrational fear in the sufferer that goes beyond the understanding of reason. In children aged four to five, a moderate fear of animals is normal. What’s more, its absence signals an abnormality. However, if by the age of nine this fear has still not been tamed, the child will unconsciously develop a fear of animals and preserve it into adulthood. In fact, animal phobia spares neither children nor adults. Among the animals that frighten people with zoophobia, even the most harmless ones cause them the most anguish.

IDENTIFYING THE ORIGINS OF FEAR OF ANIMALS
Many factors can trigger a phobia of animals. A distant memory of a bad experience or encounter, for example. We all know someone who has an inordinate fear of cats, having been scratched by one as a child. Even if they don’t remember what actually happened, those close to them who recount the event will provoke fear in them.

Parents who tell their children about their misadventures with animals can also trigger a phobia. But fear of animals can also be rooted in the child’s social culture. In fact, legends and tales that give a bad image of an animal can instill an inordinate fear of animals.

In fact, the slightest thing can give rise to a fear of animals within us. Just like shocking scenes in films, animal documentaries, press reviews and so on. However, the origin of a phobic fear remains personal.

RECOGNIZING THE BEHAVIORS OF PEOPLE WITH ZOOPHOBIA
These people are often subject to other fears, such as snake phobia, hair phobia, meat phobia and so on. Their anxieties and fears manifest themselves as soon as they talk about animals or look at an animal drawing. In the presence of an animal or insect, these people lose all self-control. For people who have developed a fear of animals, going to the zoo or anywhere where they might encounter animals is inconceivable. For them, parks and public gardens become dangerous places where dogs can roam. The same applies to backyards, stables and barns… Moreover, these people remain intensely afraid, despite the fact that the animal may be on a leash or in a cage.

OVERCOMING FEAR OF ANIMALS
Because each individual suffering from zoophobia has had different experiences, the origins of the phobic fear of animals are personal. In fact, some people can’t remember why they fear animals so much. Self-hypnosis, or hypnosis for fear, has proved extremely effective in treating this pathology. In effect, it’s a question of looking back at oneself and discovering, in the depths of one’s unconscious mind, what really caused one’s irrational and disproportionate fear of animals.

There are other methods, however, such as CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy. This scientific method will gradually help you to come into contact with animals.

Furthermore, a child suffering from zoophobia needs the unconditional support of his parents. They need to be supervised and given the right support to help them overcome their fear. To do this, you need to find a way to bring your child into contact with animals. Start by giving him a stuffed animal. Then adopt a hamster or other animal in a cage. This will give the child the confidence to see the animal (from a distance at first) without fear of being attacked. Parents can also choose hypnosis for their child’s fear.

Now it’s time for action

Fear of scary animals such as sharks and crocodiles is normal for human beings. It’s a rational, beneficial fear that helps us survive. But when chickens scare us because they might attack us with a peck, we need to realize the seriousness of the situation and immediately consider getting rid of them. In fact, fear of animals can become a real obstacle to our personal development. If left untreated for too long, zoophobia can lead to isolation. They will no longer associate with people who have animals in their homes. They will also fear any place where animals might be found. What’s more, the nightmares, insomnia and perpetual anxiety caused by this phobia can’t really be good for anyone.

For all these reasons, let’s take action against this dangerous animal phobia. If we know someone suffering from zoophobia, let’s inform them about the disease and help them overcome it. Let’s tell them about the various techniques we’ve mentioned above to help them, including hypnosis for fear.