Exploring The Mental Health Challenges Of Cynophobia In A Dog-Loving Culture
Phobias are intense fear and anxiety that are felt around specific things or situations. Cynophobia, the fear of dogs, can be particularly difficult to manage while living in a society that is very welcoming to dogs and where dogs can be found everywhere. This can be especially true if the phobia is so intense that it causes the individual to avoid places where dogs might be.
What are the symptoms of cynophobia?
People with a dog phobia can experience unpleasant and often intense emotional and physical symptoms when they encounter dogs. Some of these may include:
- Screaming or crying
- Panic attack
- Increased heart rate and shallow breathing
- Excessive sweating
- Catastrophic thoughts
- Nausea
In some cases, the intensity of cynophobia can lead to avoidance of areas where dogs may be present and potentially lead to social isolation and further mental health complications.
How common is a fear of dogs?
According to research, a common form of phobia is an intense fear of animals. And while scientists don’t have exact numbers, some studies show that roughly a third of animal phobias are dog related.
Where the fear of dogs originates
A fear of dogs doesn’t necessarily have a single cause but often develops from a combination of contributing risk factors, including genetics, family history, and environmental factors. While children commonly experience cynophobia, a person of any age may develop this fear. Risk factors for developing cynophobia can include:
- The presence of a mental health disorder like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, or other anxiety disorders
- A family history of phobia or experiencing other phobias yourself
- Substance use disorders
- Autism or sensory disorders
- Experiencing a traumatic event with a dog. It doesn’t need to be an attack or a bite, but simply a time that a dog frightened you—especially during childhood.
Cynophobia triggers
While seeing a dog in person can certainly be a common trigger for individuals with cynophobia, there are less direct ways their fear can be triggered. For some, simply seeing a picture or a video of a dog can cause anxiety. Others may become frightened by hearing a dog howl, bark, or growl. Seeing a dog from a distance, even if it is leashed and under the control of the dog owner, can be problematic for people with cynophobia.
In extreme cases, people can become anxious, even thinking about dogs or worrying that a dog may be somewhere that they are going.
The effects of cynophobia on mental health
Untreated phobias can be a source of great anxiety. With a phobia like fear of dogs, it can be difficult to escape the worry of running into a dog or being in the same place as a dog in daily life. The current societal norms around dogs in the US can almost guarantee that you will be near a dog if you are in a public space. Dog parks are sprinkled throughout city parks, and most apartments, hotels, and communities are dog friendly. Some stores and restaurants even allow dogs in their space.
Either an individual with cynophobia must fight through the distress of being around dogs, in itself a mentally and potentially physically painful thing, or they may begin to avoid going out altogether. Stress, anxiety, and potentially depressive symptoms due to social isolation may occur in people with cynophobia.
In addition, stigma around mental health can make life more difficult, especially when it comes to a phobia around something as emotionally fraught as dogs. Some dog owners may not be understanding of the position of someone who has a dog phobia, and their fear may lead to personal conflict and relationship challenges.
When to seek help for cynophobia
If you have a fear of dogs that begins to interfere with your relationships or how you live your life, it may be helpful to seek treatment from a mental health professional. Research shows that anxiety disorders (and in particular, specific phobias) are under-diagnosed and insufficiently treated, which can lead to a number of negative impacts on the individual and society, including loss of work, disability, comorbid depression, higher risk of suicide*, and reduced quality of life overall. However, effective treatment is available for phobias.
* If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 988 to talk to someone over SMS. Support is available 24/7.
Diagnosis and treatment of cynophobia, including exposure therapy
When you visit your health provider or a mental health professional, they will likely begin by evaluating your concerns. As with any new behavioral treatment evaluation, they will probably ask about your symptoms and take a detailed family history and medical history. You will also probably be asked in detail about previous experiences with dogs. For the most effective treatment, it is recommended to answer all questions honestly and to the best of your ability.
How mental health professionals diagnose cynophobia
Your healthcare provider will use the information gathered to provide a diagnosis using the criteria laid out in the latest diagnostic and statistical manual (DSM-5). If cynophobia is diagnosed by your doctor, they may refer you to a mental healthcare provider who specializes in the treatment of phobias.
Treatment options for addressing the symptoms of cynophobia
Treatment of cynophobia typically consists of a combination of anti-anxiety medication and talk therapy, usually exposure therapy or some sort of cognitive-behavioral treatment. The best treatment option will often depend on the severity of cynophobia and treatment goals.
Exposure therapy to decrease one’s fear of dogs
Exposure therapy is a primary treatment for phobias and consists of gradual exposure to fear in a controlled environment. In the case of cynophobia, the therapist may begin with a fairly new behavior treatment known as active imaginal exposure. Preliminary studies show that this treatment, which involves actively exploring imaginary encounters with dogs, has been effective in cases of cynophobia.
From there, an exposure therapy provider may work up to showing the client photos and videos of dogs, using virtual reality therapy to experience dogs, watching dogs from a distance, and finally approaching and interacting with safe and vetted dogs.
Cognitive behavioral techniques for cynophobia
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is another popular approach used for cynophobia. CBT focuses on identifying and changing problematic thoughts and behaviors. In the case of dog phobia, the therapist may guide you in challenging your thoughts around dogs (“all dogs are harmful”) and replacing them with healthier and more realistic views. These new patterns of thinking are typically reinforced through practice and homework exercises guided by the therapist.
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques
Therapists who specialize in exposure therapy or CBT may also share mindfulness and relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, or visualization to help manage stress and anxiety. These techniques are typically used alongside traditional therapy options—not in lieu of them.
Online therapy for cynophobia
For someone who experiences a specific phobia like cynophobia, online therapy may be an effective and convenient solution to the question: how do I get therapy without the risk of running into dogs? Cynophobia may prevent a person from seeking the help they need due to the extreme fear of encountering a dog in an unknown area.
Online therapy through platforms like BetterHelp allows you to meet with a therapist from the comfort of your own home. Simply fill out an online questionnaire, and BetterHelp will match you with a therapist that meets your individual needs. Research has demonstrated that online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for treating anxiety disorders, and working with your therapist over video chat can ensure that you won’t encounter dogs before you’re ready to do so.
Takeaway
What is the difference between a phobia and a fear?
Fear can be defined as an emotional response to a real or perceived threat. A phobia, meanwhile, is a type of anxiety disorder involving excessive fear of a specific situation or object. This fear is often so severe that it interferes with an individual’s ability to function properly and can lead to avoidance behaviors. In other words, people may avoid situations where they could come into contact with the feared object. Depending on the type of phobia someone has, this may mean they cannot comfortably engage in various daily activities due to their anxiety response and persistent fear.
What is pet phobia called?
A phobia of animals is called zoophobia, a fear of dogs is called cynophobia, and a fear of cats is referred to as ailurophobia. Severe cynophobia, ailurophobia, or zoophobia can present significant challenges in daily life.
How can you treat animal phobia?
Animal phobia, like other related mental disorders, is often treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (sometimes referred to as cognitive behavior therapy). Exposure therapy is another common treatment for phobias and some other anxiety disorders, with virtual reality exposure therapy serving as a new behavioral treatment option. These types of therapy often lead to significant improvement, although medication may also be prescribed in severe cases.
What is the rarest phobia?
It’s challenging to determine the rarest phobia, but arachibutyrophobia is an uncommon one. Arachibutyrophobia is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth.
What triggers cynophobia?
Several factors may influence the development of a phobia of dogs. Cynophobia is often rooted in traumatic experiences or a scary encounter with a live dog. Genetic factors and media portrayals of dogs can also play a role in the development of cynophobia.
Can dogs smell fear?
According to a 2017 study focused on animal behavior research, dogs can smell fear. This is thought to occur due to chemo signals, or human body odors produced under different emotional conditions.
How rare is cynophobia?
It’s not known how much of the population lives with cynophobia. However, approximately 7% to 9% of the population is thought to have some form of specific phobia.
What happens if you show fear to a dog?
Different dogs have different responses to human fear. Some may become more aggressive, while others may begin to behave fearfully themselves.
Is cynophobia normal?
While cynophobia isn’t necessarily considered “normal,” it’s a somewhat common phobia. A milder fear of dogs tends to be even more common. It’s possible for children and adults to overcome cynophobia with various treatment options.
- Next Article