“I’m afraid of dogs!” Cynophobia: what is it and what to do about it?

For most of our readers, dogs are best friends and family members. And it’s hard for dog lovers to imagine that there are people who panic at the sight of a dog. However, this is reality. There is even the concept of “cinemaphobia”. What is it and what to do if you are terribly afraid of dogs?

Photo: google

What is kinophobia and why does it occur?

Cynophobia is an irrational, defying logical explanation (like other phobias) fear of dogs. This is not uncommon: 1,5 – 3,5% of the population is terrified of dogs, and usually these are young people (up to 30 years old). Within the framework of cynophobia, a separate distinction is made between the fear of being bitten and the fear of contracting rabies.

It is worth distinguishing between true kinophobia and pseudophobia. The latter is quite common. Pseudo-fear of dogs is often characteristic of psychopaths (including sadists) who use fear of dogs as an excuse to harm them or their owners. For example, a significant part of the so-called “dog hunters” belongs to this category. And zhivoderskie inclinations are covered with illness.

Islamists who consider dogs “unclean animals” and shun them cannot be called cynophobic either.

Cynophobia can be part of another mental disorder (such as schizophrenia).

As a rule, real cynophobia does not include aggression towards animals and their owners – such people only try to avoid contact with dogs as much as possible. If you are dealing with a psychopath hiding behind pseudocynophobia, then manifestations of aggression on his part are possible.

Cynophobia is an official diagnosis, which in the ICD-10 is in category F4 (“Neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders”), subcategory F40 (“Phobic anxiety disorders”).

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Cynophobia is diagnosed if the following criteria are met:

• Manifestations of pathological fear that are primary, and not caused by delusions or obsessive thoughts.
• Anxiety occurs only in the presence of dogs and in situations associated with them.
• The patient avoids dogs and everything connected with them.
• There are no other psychopathological disorders.

As a rule, a panic fear of dogs begins in childhood and, without adequate help, can persist into adulthood. But, contrary to popular belief, dog attacks rarely cause such a disorder. I have already written about how the fear of dogs is formed in children and whether it is possible to help the child cope with it, so I will not dwell on this in detail in this article.

How does kinophobia manifest itself?

Cynophobia can be recognized by the following manifestations:

1. Strong, persistent and pointless anxiety, not necessarily in the presence of dogs, but sometimes at the mere mention of them, at the sight of a picture, or even at the sound of barking.
2. Sleep disturbances (difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently, having nightmares, making the fear even more intense).
3. Bodily discomfort (sweating, muscle tension, trembling, pain in the heart area, tightness in the chest, feeling short of breath, dry mouth, palpitations, dizziness, nausea, etc.)
4. Alertness, nervousness, irritability, the desire to control everything.
5. Feeling of impending danger.

Sometimes there are panic attacks, in which a person thinks that he is about to die.

Photo: google

Can film phobia be cured?

As with many phobias, psychotherapy and (if necessary) medication help, if not to get rid of fear, then at least significantly reduce the intensity of its manifestations, and therefore improve the quality of life. After all, like any phobia, kinophobia significantly affects a person’s life and introduces many restrictions into it.

First of all, you need a desire to get rid of such a state. And then find a competent specialist who will help you.

You will probably have to turn to a psychotherapist who will prescribe the necessary medication, and to a psychologist who will conduct psychotherapy (mainly using the desensitization technique).

It is impossible to cure kinophobia without the help of specialists. But there is ways to alleviate and speed up recovery.

• Diet change. Foods containing a large amount of carbohydrates help the production of tryptophan, which, in turn, turns into the pleasure hormone – serotonin.
• Reducing the load, increasing rest, changing activities.
• Physical exercises. Physical activity is a great way to deal with anxiety. Swimming or long walks are great.
• Little pleasures for yourself. Be sure to find time for what brings you pleasure. Maybe it’s time to pick up a hobby if you don’t already have one?
• Meditation classes.

Sometimes those who are afraid of dogs are advised to “knock out a wedge with a wedge” and get a dog. However, this way of dealing with cynophobia does not always help and can cause a deterioration in the condition, so before deciding to take such a step and become the owner of a dog, you should still consult with a specialist.