Ornithophobia – Beat Your Fear Of Birds
Ornithophobia is the fear of birds. It’s an obsessive and insurmountable fear that an individual experiences at just the sight of birds with any actual contact likely to cause high levels of stress and panic.
As with many of these specific fears and phobias Ornithophobia may seem like a “funny” disorder that isn’t really anything to worry about. But for anyone suffering from a fear of birds the reality is very different.
To an ornithophobic the fear of birds, whilst irrational, is both intense and persistent. They will feel extreme levels of anxiety – even to the point of all-out panic attacks – when around birds of any shape or size. Some will even experience these symptoms by just thinking about a potential encounter.
When you think about it a fear of birds to these extremes can prove really difficult to live with. Birds are everywhere and completely unpredictable, often appearing out of nowhere. They are in the countryside, parks, towns and cities. Birds often feature on TV, in films and in commercials. They are completely impossible to avoid.
But to anyone suffering from ornithophobia they only way of managing the phobia is to do everything possible to avoid an encounter … and that can seriously affect quality of life, career and relationships. It’s not such a trivial phobia now is it! So, let’s learn more about this phobia.
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Causes Of A Fear Of Birds
Unfortunately, scientists do not have an answer to the question of what exactly causes the fear of birds which is also known as bird phobia. Fears can develop at any age. However, most often, they develop during childhood.
The most credible theories that explain bird phobia are as follows:
- A negative early childhood experience related to birds can cause this phobia. In this case, the individual may not even remember the specific moment that is the reason for fear. Since the baby’s psyche is not fully formed, a sharp noise can leave an indelible mark on his life.
- At a more mature age, the child may face the aggressive behavior of some birds. The bite of a goose or parrot can also cause Ornithophobia.
- Sometimes, feathers or a dead body of a bird cause fear and panic. According to psychologists, the reason may be the fact that the kid realized what death is, when he found, for example, a dead pigeon. Even a frozen bird in the snow can cause Ornithophobia.
- According to another well-known version, the cause of Ornithophobia is the traumatic experience gained by a person while watching a movie where birds were brutal killers.
- Other studies have shown that, in some cases, the fear of birds is associated with a congenital defect of the vestibular apparatus of the individual. Such a person cannot watch the birds in the sky, as it causes nausea and severe dizziness.
- Another cause of fear of birds can be genetics. People process anxiety and fear differently. Some of us may tend to be more anxious than others.
- Moreover, you may learn that fear from your parents or someone else close to you who has Ornithophobia.
- Also, hearing or reading about a dangerous or negative situation involving birds, as well as watching such movies, are often the reason for fear.
Symptoms Of Ornithophobia
Experts have determined that any the following symptoms of Ornithophobia can be associated with the condition:
- a fast heart rate that occurs in an individual at the sight of a bird;
- loss of consciousness or dizziness when the person has a tactile contact with feathered animals;
- severe, uncontrolled nausea, caused by the dead body of the bird or its parts;
- breathing problems, tremors throughout the whole body that occurs when an individual has to interact with birds;
- obsessive-compulsive disorder, especially in the open air;
- a person continually looks at the sky, trying to prevent the possible appearance of birds;
- an unusual feeling of fear or anxiety;
- a person feels a need to run away;
- an individual understands that this anxiety or fear is exaggerated, but he cannot control it;
- regular fear of losing control.
Physical symptoms of Ornithophobia include:
- trembling or shaking;
- racing heartbeat;
- feeling short of breath;
- dry mouth;
- tightness in the chest;
- nausea;
- sweating;
- dizziness.
The manifestation of these symptoms largely depends on the severity of phobia and the behavior of the individual. Ornithophobia varies from mild anxiety at the sight of a flying bird to a full blown panic attack.
Ornithophobia – The Facts And Data
According to The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), over 12 percent of adults in the United States at least once in a lifetime experience some type of phobia. Ornithophobia is believed to be relatively uncommon. Exact figures are not available but various sources including TypesOfPhobia.com suggests it affects around 0.9% of the population.
We should point out that ornithophobia is a fear of birds in general. There are other specific phobias which relate only to a particular type of bird like a fear of ducks for example.
When To Seek Treatment For The Fear Of Birds
Like any phobia, if it’s having any form of negative effect on your life or relationships you owe it to yourself and those around you, to seek help. But even if you experience mild symptoms you may want to look at addressing the issue as these knind of phobias don’t just disappear and, left unchecked, they can actually get worse.
Because the natural reaction to any phobia is avoidance of the cause of the fear, ornithophobia can represent a real problem. Avoidance is impossible unless you shut yourself away and never leave your house – so don’t feel trapped by a fear of birds … do something about it today!
Treatment For The Fear Of Birds – Therapy
Hypnotherapy:
Usually the initial trigger of your fear of birds can be traced back to some form of traumatic event or to the influence of a peer, often at an early age. So, you weren’t born being frightened of birds – something started it off and the natural reaction of your sub-conscous mind has become “corrupted” to give a negative response to the sight of a bird. Hypnotherapy, in very simple terms, works by, in effect, re-setting your mind to produce the rational, natural reaction to birds that you were born with. Find Out More >
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP):
Neuro-linguistic programming or NLP works in a slightly different way but also aims at getting sufferers to change their thinking habits. It works by taking your specific fear of birds and disassociating and reframing the experience to prevent the irrational response. Find Out More >
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT):
In simple terms Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT is probably THE most common and effective therapy for phobia. As the name suggests, it’s a talking therapy which takes your fear of birds and focusses on your thoughts, beliefs and attitudes in relation to this fear and how they cause you to behave and feel. If you can change the way you feel about birds you’ll change the way you react to them. Find Out More >
The Fear Of Birds Self Help Treatments
If the mere thought or sight of any bird fills you with fear and terror then take a look at one of our recommended, self-help treatment programs that are all guaranteed, proven and effective.
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