There dog (from the Greek “Chiùon “ (dog) And “Phobos“(Fear)), is the Fear of dogs. The subject is caught by a reaction of strong anxiety, excessive and irrational, when he is near the animal. Sometimes even in front of a photo or just thought. It is one very widespread phobia; The most frequent fear concerns the possibility of being bitten or attached.
In the diagnostic statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5, APA-2013) is classified into anxiety disorders and, more precisely, between specific phobias.
Characteristics of the fear of dogs
Fobia is an extreme, irrational fear and disproportionate for something that does not represent a real threat. Those who suffer from it is overwhelmed by terror at the idea of performing an action that leaves most people indifferent.
The subjects perfectly realize the irrationality of their fear but cannot control it.
People who don’t suffer from phobic disorderslike the dogfind the phobias very difficult to understand. The more the phobic object is common and familiar, for example the dog, the more the phobic meets the misunderstanding and absence of solidarity in the people around him. Ordinary people cannot understand how it could have terror of a dog Soft and playful or an affectionate puppy. Often people think that who manifest fear of dogs exaggerate or forgone, which should be courage.
It is difficult to understand panic and problems caused by phobias. Often the attitude is: “Don’t be stupid, it’s a very good dog ..”. The failure to understand others often leads the phobic person to be ashamed and feel ridiculous. By suffering in silence, he will try to hide his panic as long as possible, also citing excuses of all kinds in order not to confess the true reason for the malaise.
Possible causes of fears for dogs
The Causes of Cinophobia They are not always easily identifiable. Often this disorder can manifest itself in people who have been the victim of a direct attack or who simply witnessed spectators to such an event.
More technically the phobia is the result of learning and this can take place in three ways:
- for classic conditioning, i.e. a traumatic (or perceived as such) experience directly lived by the subject;
- through vicar conditioning, or observational learning, which consists in having witnessed an attack on another person or having observed phobic reactions in others significant (e.g. parents);
- For social transmission: that is, having received information or instructions relating to the danger of dogs, also through films.
As for all phobias, even in the Fear of dogsthe maintenance mechanism is linked to the operating air conditioning. That is, the decrease in fear deriving from the progress of the situation.
In reality, avoiding what is frightening (the dog) the anxiety will be reduced only in the short term. In the long term the disorder will be maintained and even strengthened, as in a vicious circle.
You are sick and you want only one thing: to flee! The tendency to avoid all the situations or conditions that can be associated with fear, although it reduces the effects of phobia at the moment, actually constitutes a trap. In fact, each avoidance confirms the danger of the avoided situation and prepares the subsequent avoidance and the discomfort thus becomes increasingly limiting.
Symptoms of dog
The subject with Fear of dogs Try, in the presence of one or more dogs, the following physical sensations:
- general malaise
- tachycardia
- Difficulty breathing and feeling of suffocation
- sweating
- tremors
- nausea
- dizziness
From a psychological point of view he experiments:
- anxiety
- feeling of impotence and loss of control
- fear of dying
- Sometimes a real panic attack
Symptoms usually cease when the person is not in contact with the animal.
To whom to turn to face cinophobia
When the dog phobia It causes an evident discomfort in the subject and affects its quality of life, it is essential to contact a specialist in the sector. A psychologist-psychotherapist can help him understand, manage and face the disorder. The therapeutic approach that has the greatest scientific evidence of result is the cognitive-behavioral type.
The care of the fear of dogs
There cure of dog It is relatively simple and short -lived, if we rely on competent and expert figures on the subject.
It is recommended to follow one cognitive-behavioral therapywhich is considered the most effective in scientific literature, as for all phobias.
From a cognitive point of view, we work on irrational thoughts through cognitive renovation techniques. For the behavioral aspect, on the other hand, we intervene on the symptoms and methods in the face of face with the aim of obtaining a positive change, up to the solution of the discomfort.
After a period of evaluation of the case, specifications will be used exposure techniques (in imagination or in vain) or systematic desensitization to feared situations. In this way the person manages to gradually approach the stimuli who first triggered fear in him and, with habit, they cease to generate anxiety.
To make the cinophobia treatmentvarious techniques of relaxation or meditation Mindfulness can also be taught. Sometimes, the combination of psychotropic drug therapy can also be useful, set and controlled by a doctor-psychiatrist.
