Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
Entomophobiais an irrational and persistent fear of bugs. Those with a fear of insects may go to great lengths to avoid them, or they will experience significant distress when encountering an insect.
Learn more about the causes and treatment of entomophobia and how this condition affects those diagnosed with it.
What Is the Fear of Butterflies?
An irrationalfear of insectsis formally known as entomophobia, although it is sometimes also calledinsectophobia.
An intense fear of insects may interfere with your daily life, as this condition can cause feelings of anxiety or panic when you are near an insect or think a bug may be present. This can make outdoor activities and situations very stressful.
A fear of insects is considered a specific phobia. A specific phobia is a type of mental health disorder that presents as a significant and persistent fear toward a specific object, situation, or activity.
Specific phobias are classified into five categories. These include:
Entomophobia falls under the subcategory of an animal-type specific phobia.
The fear experienced with a specific phobia is considered out of proportion to any actual danger in each context.
Symptoms
Entomophobia can manifest in a variety of signs and symptoms and can include:
In those with a severe phobia of insects, it is also possible to experience a range of psychological symptoms, including:
Some people with a severe phobia may begin to experience fear of the anxiety symptoms themselves because the feelings they experience as a part of their phobia are so unpleasant.
The causes of phobias often involve several factors, including learned history, past experiences, and biological factors.
Learned History
It is believed that phobias can emerge in relation to certain learned experiences. This can take three forms:
A learned history is not the only reason for a phobia. Many people may have direct, observational, or informational learning experiences regarding insects and do not develop a fear of bugs.
Biological Factors
It is believed that biology may play a role in the development of phobias. Some people may have a genetic susceptibility to phobias or irrational fears. It is also believed some people are born with a tendency to experience anxiety more than others.
Not everyone with a phobia receives a formal diagnosis. Many people with phobias are aware they have a fear of a specific situation or object, yet they may choose to live their life without treatment.
However, avoidance of an irrational fear can make the phobia worse. Getting a diagnosis and appropriate treatment, on the other hand, can significantly lessen the impact of a phobia on a person’s life.
To reach a formal diagnosis of entomophobia, a doctor will first consider the seven diagnostic criteria outlined in the fifth edition of theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-5).
How Phobia Is Diagnosed
Most phobias can be successfully treated and even cured.
Treating entomophobia may involve the gradual exposure to insects. This is known as desensitization. It’s a type of exposure therapy that allows the person with a fear of insects to reduce their negative emotional response to insects after repeated exposure to them.
Other treatment options include psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) approaches, such ascognitive behavioral therapy(CBT). A person with entomophobia will build a relationship with a professional therapist and then work to challenge irrational thoughts and behavior patterns regarding their phobia. The goal is to overcome their irrational fear of insects.
MedicationsIt is not typical to use medication in the treatment of phobias. However, doctors may sometimes prescribe medication to help with feelings of anxiety, which can include:AntipsychoticsAntidepressantsBeta-blockers
Medications
It is not typical to use medication in the treatment of phobias. However, doctors may sometimes prescribe medication to help with feelings of anxiety, which can include:AntipsychoticsAntidepressantsBeta-blockers
It is not typical to use medication in the treatment of phobias. However, doctors may sometimes prescribe medication to help with feelings of anxiety, which can include:
Dealing with a fear of insects can be difficult, but there are steps that can be taken to make it easier.
It may be helpful to:
How to Overcome Any Phobia
Summary
Having a specific phobia of insects, bugs, or tics may cause a person to experience significant distress in situations that involve insects, or in anticipation of being around insects. A person with entomophobia may go to great lengths to avoid bugs. Most phobias can be successfully cured with the right treatment, such as desensitization; psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy; and counseling.
A Word From Verywell
If you are experiencing a phobia of any kind, know that you are not alone and help is available. If you have an intense fear of insects that impacts your daily life and activities, consider discussing this phobia with a healthcare professional. A provider, particularly one specializing in mental health disorders, will be able to assist you in finding the best treatment options to reduce your fear of insects.
When Someone Has a Fear of the Unknown
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Shahriari-Namadi M, et al.Entomophobia and Arachnophobia Among School-Age Children: A Psychological Approach.Shiraz E-Medical Journal. 2018American Psychological Association.Specific phobia.NHS.Symptoms - phobias.Updated 26 October 2018.Perelman School of Medicine.Specific phobias.NHS.Overview - Phobias. Updated 26 October 2018.NHS InformTen ways to fight your fears. Updated April 14, 2021.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Shahriari-Namadi M, et al.Entomophobia and Arachnophobia Among School-Age Children: A Psychological Approach.Shiraz E-Medical Journal. 2018American Psychological Association.Specific phobia.NHS.Symptoms - phobias.Updated 26 October 2018.Perelman School of Medicine.Specific phobias.NHS.Overview - Phobias. Updated 26 October 2018.NHS InformTen ways to fight your fears. Updated April 14, 2021.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Shahriari-Namadi M, et al.Entomophobia and Arachnophobia Among School-Age Children: A Psychological Approach.Shiraz E-Medical Journal. 2018American Psychological Association.Specific phobia.NHS.Symptoms - phobias.Updated 26 October 2018.Perelman School of Medicine.Specific phobias.NHS.Overview - Phobias. Updated 26 October 2018.NHS InformTen ways to fight your fears. Updated April 14, 2021.
Shahriari-Namadi M, et al.Entomophobia and Arachnophobia Among School-Age Children: A Psychological Approach.Shiraz E-Medical Journal. 2018
American Psychological Association.Specific phobia.
NHS.Symptoms - phobias.Updated 26 October 2018.
Perelman School of Medicine.Specific phobias.
NHS.Overview - Phobias. Updated 26 October 2018.
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