Symptoms
Some fear only birds of prey, such as eagles, hawks, falcons and vultures. Others tend to be anxious around birds kept as pets, such as lovebirds and pigeons. In extreme cases, seeing a feather or hearing the word "bird" is enough to trigger a panic attack. Ornithophobes tend to prefer avoiding places, where birds are particularly present, such as parks, museums, zoos, etc.
Most commonly, the physical symptoms include shivering, shock, perspiration, heart palpitations, uncontrollable vocalization and crying. People who suffer from extreme cases of ornithophobia may experience an anxiety attack triggered by anticipating a bird, rather than seeing an actual one. Furthermore, the phobia can become so debilitating that sufferers confine themselves to their homes.
Why Are People Scared of Birds?
Usually, a negative experience in the past is what has triggered ornithophobia. However, another possibility is that the phobia has been brought about indirectly, through witnessing a bird attack or someone's highly negative reaction to the species. Yet another explanation is that birds did not cause any harm, but were simply present during another traumatic event, such as an accident or a death. What is more, ornithophobia can be the product of stories, movies or documentaries, where birds were portrayed as monstrous or vicious creatures.
Treatment
Phobias are not only unpleasant on their own, but may become crippling, especially when combined with subsequent conditions, such as general anxiety and depression. Luckily, there are methods that help sufferers combat phobias successfully. One of the most effective interventions for ornithophobia is cognitive-behavioral therapy. The procedure is led by a licensed psychologist, and includes helping someone substitute their negative, irrational beliefs for realistic, positive ones. The number of sessions required depends on a variety of factors, such as the severity of ornithophobia, the client's eagerness, etc. The approach is centered on recognizing anxiety symptoms and engaging in self-calming procedures. Basic techniques, such as deep and slow breathing, are employed.
If necessary, prescription medications, along with psychotherapy, can help treat ornithophobia. Beta blockers, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines are the 3 most common types of medications. Heart palpitations and shivering are suppressed with the help of beta blockers, while antidepressants, such as Zoloft and Paxil, can decrease the intensity of fear-related emotions. Lastly, benzodiazepines are strong, yet addictive anti-anxiety drugs which are only prescribed when the other medications have been ineffective. Remember that prescription drugs should only be used in drastic cases, as a last resort and in combination with psychotherapy, since they can result in severe health consequences.
