We have heard of many phobias toward animals, especially towards spiders, and we can fully understand them. However, there are others that are stranger to us, such as ornithophobia or fear of birds. Yes, in addition to a very common nightmare, birds can also be the protagonists of a phobic disorder and we will tell you about it in our phobia dictionary.
What is ornithophobia?
Ornithophobia is the fear of birds. Sometimes it appears only before a certain type of more imposing birds such as eagles, for example. Other times it occurs only when they are in flocks and other times it Isa.
Phobia can appear at any time or situation. From that dove that perches in front of you in the park to the birds that fly over you when you are taking a walk in the countryside. But, why can these types of animals inspire fear in you?
Why are birds afraid?
We all have in mind the Alfred Hitchcock movie that was a true nightmare. Speaking of nightmares, birds are regular protagonists of the most horrible dreams, so these animals may contain dangerous aspects in their symbolism that make us fear them unconsciously.
But like most phobias, the of ornithophobia is conditioning from having lived through a traumatic experience. It is not necessary to have been attacked by a bird like in the movie, having experienced a distressing moment, even for other reasons, but in which birds appeared flying around you is enough to trigger this terror.
On the other hand, this phobia of birds can also find its development in a previous anxiety disorder, since anxiety makes you live in a permanent sensation of danger that is triggered by the most surprising stimuli. And why not with the birds?
Symptoms of a phobia
It is one thing tour to be somewhat rejected by their unpredictable movements and another thing is ornithophobia. The phobia of birds affects all areas of life, since it is very difficult to practice the most common reaction, avoidance. How do you avoid the birds when you go from home to work?
The symptoms experienced by people suffering from ornithophobia are the same symptoms of anxiety. Nervousness, a feeling of doom, sweating, shortness of breath and may even lead to a panic attack if the situation of being near a bird cannot be avoided.
As you can imagine, this phobia of bird conditions lives to such an extent that it can trigger other phobias, such as agoraphobia, causing the total isolation of the person who suffers from it.
Treatment of ornithophobia
That is why it is important to seek psychological help as soon as possible. Phobias cannot be overcome on our own and it is best to have a good professional who proposes the most appropriate therapy. In the case of phobias, cognitive is the most effective in overcoming these and other fears.
And when treating a phobia, you cannot miss the continued practice of relaxation, since all phobias come hand in hand with anxiety. Breathing or mindfulness exercises are very effective in reducing anxiety symptoms.