Entomophobia

For the plant genus, see Entomophobia (plant).

Entomophobia (also known as insectophobia) is a specific phobia characterized by an excessive or unrealistic fear of one or more classes of insect, and classified as a phobia by the DSM-5.[1] More specific cases included apiphobia (fear of bees) and myrmecophobia (fear of ants). One book claims 6% of all US inhabitants suffer from it.[2]

Entomophobia may develop after the person has had a traumatic experience with the insect(s) at stake. It may develop early or later in life and is quite common among the animal phobias. Typically one suffers from a fear from one specific type of insect, and entomophobia leads to behavioral changes: the sufferer will avoid situations where they may encounter the specific type of insect. Cognitive behavioral therapy is considered an effective treatment.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 McCabe, Randi E. (2015). Milosevic, Irena; McCabe, Randi E., eds. Phobias: The Psychology of Irrational Fear: The Psychology of Irrational Fear. ABC-CLIO. pp. 125–27. ISBN 9781610695763.
  2. ↑ Lockwood, Jeffrey (2013-09-25). The Infested Mind: Why Humans Fear, Loathe, and Love Insects. Oxford UP. pp. 110–. ISBN 9780199374939. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
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