All about kinophobia

Sometimes you have to experience an inexplicable feeling of anxiety when approaching a huge dog running towards him. Some greatly exaggerate the danger, and in this case, the fear gradually transforms into a phobia. To begin treatment, it is necessary to understand the causes of this deviation.

The panic fear of dogs is called kinophobia. This mental disorder is characterized by obsessive fear, not amenable to self-control. Gradually, a slight agitation develops into a panic attack.

Most often, a phobia begins to form in childhood. Anxiety disorder occurs as a result of a situation that greatly scares the child. Subsequently, any encounter with a dog signals the brain of a little man about danger. The formation of a severe form of phobia is possible. Pathology can be observed in adolescents and adults.

The following causes contribute to the occurrence of anxiety disorder.

• The disease is inherited from the parent due to genetic predisposition.
• A child can copy the behavior of a scared adult dog, not trying to hide his fear. The baby has an unconscious fear of the animal. Over time, the transmitted parental fear can develop into a real phobia.
• Improper parenting often leads to this deviation. The child is not allowed to pet another person’s pet, intimidating by infection with lichen or rabies. It is strictly forbidden to bring home dogs, to have any contact with them.

Some parents frighten the baby with the likelihood of a dog attacking him and the possibility of being bitten by him.First, the child is afraid of animals, bypasses them. Subsequently, fear develops into a mental disorder.

• A traumatic situation occurs when injured on contact with the animal: from a light scratch to a serious bite.
• Stray Pack Attack on a person leaves a deep mark in the psyche.
• The development of this phobia an inferiority complex can be promoted due to the absence of some qualities attributed to dogs, for example, fidelity and courage. Because of the recognition of one's own inferiority, fear is formed.

Not always experienced on real dog bites acquire a phobia. In some people, repeatedly bitten by dogs, no phobia has formed. After this, a person may begin to be afraid of large dogs, but fear does not lead to anxiety disorder.

Specialists distinguish two types of kinophobia - true and false. True phobia is characterized by overwhelming horror when a person meets a dog. A person suffering from a disease can even stupor from uncontrollable fear. Fear is manifested in various forms:

• pathological fear only of huge or, conversely, small dogs;
• panic fear of an animal of a certain breed;
• fear of collision with a stray pack;
• hypertrophied fear of a bite (adactophobia is characteristic of children and adolescents);
• rabies infection through bite or other contact (rabiephobia).

People with false kinophobia are dangerous for their hatred of dogs. They become aggressive at the sight of large and small pets. Such pseudo-kinophobes can kick the animal they come across, shoot stray dogs, sprinkle poison with them, and make other harm attempts. Often such people have hysterical seizures and other pathological conditions.

Some show an uncontrolled aggressive attitude not only towards the dog, but also to its owner, as well as to people who are positive about animals. Pseudophobia is usually inherent in flayers. Psychiatrists are sure that most often they cover up their sadism with a feign of fear. True kinophobes are afraid of dogs, but do not show aggression towards them.

A person can feel fear even at the sight of puppies, images of dogs in pictures, photographs. He bypasses the territory of dog walking, avoids visiting circus performances, does not go to visit the owners of the pets, and when he meets the dog turns to the other side. Internal anxiety increases gradually and may result in a panic attack.

The following psychotic symptoms are characteristic of such people:

• alertness;
• nervousness;
• irritability;
• tight self-control;
• obsessive scrolling in the head of recent collisions with an animal;
• concentration on small life troubles;
• a sense of impending threat;
• irresistible irrational fear;
• desire to run away and hide away.

In a person suffering from phobia, when meeting with an animal, one can observe the following somatic reaction:

• pallor of the skin;
• increased sweating;
• rush of blood to the head, distinct tinnitus;
• heart rhythm disturbance;
• clear audibility of your own heartbeat;
• trembling hands and feet;
• muscle tension;
• dry throat;
• hoarse voice;
• nausea;
• stomach upset;
• intense thirst;
• frequent urination;
• dizziness;
• migraine;
• change in blood pressure;
• chest tightening;
• lack of oxygen, difficulty breathing.

When the object of fear disappears, the symptomatology immediately disappears. Increased anxiety and nervousness are felt by people with a severe form of phobia. The individual is in constant stress due to fear of accidentally meeting a dog. Feeling of unjustified fear leads to insomnia, neurosis and general mental exhaustion.

Running kinophobia sometimes develops into paranoia. A person cannot get rid of the feeling that dogs are chasing him everywhere.

The psychologist or therapist quickly recognizes the abnormal fear of dogs. The main task of a specialist is to identify the onset of the disease. It is very important to determine when exactly a person began to feel an outgoing threat from an animal.

Diagnostics is carried out according to the following parameters:

• identification of primary disturbing manifestations, physiological and psychological symptoms;
• the appearance of anxiety and panic attacks in a collision with a specific object and a specific situation;
• avoidance of probable encounters with dogs;
• lack of other psychopathological disorders.

At the first sign of kinophobia, you need to seek the help of an experienced specialist. At the initial stage, the phobia can be easily corrected. A neglected disease is difficult to overcome on your own. In severe cases, prescribe hypnosis, with the help of which traumatic events and memories are forced out of consciousness. The hypnologist changes perception, relieves fear and restores the body's natural response to animals.

Homeopathy is also used to eliminate kinophobia.. She is able to save a person from destructive emotions. The use of homeopathic remedies helps to soften fears and neutralize panic.

A persistent positive result is observed with prolonged medical treatment. Medications should be taken strictly as prescribed by the therapist. He writes them out after a comprehensive examination and diagnosis of kinophobia. Medications do not completely cure the disease, but the acute symptoms are relieved.

A psychotherapist may prescribe to reduce anxiety and fight neurosis. tranquilizers. Antidepressants help to avoid panic attacks. Sedatives used to get rid of insomnia, reduce the severity of mental reactions and combat stress. Often the patient develops a drug dependence.

With kinophobia, rational and cognitive-behavioral therapy are used. The method of rational psychotherapy involves the development of the ability to sensibly evaluate their own horrors and their results. The greatest effect is achieved. when using cognitive-behavioral therapybased on a change in the patient’s way of thinking. Watching relevant films and reading the necessary literature allows the patient to consider the pet as a friend of a person.

Specialists widely use method of approaching the object of fear. The therapist gently corrects the patient's behavior by observing his reaction to the dog. The doctor develops an opposite view of the animal. The patient begins to look at him as an object that poses no threat to health and life.

Then the second method follows: rapprochement with fear itself. The distance is reduced gradually. At first, watching videos, studying the breeds and habits of the animal is practiced.Then follows the observation of the dog from the side. Then a person spends some time in the same room with a dog on a leash. After a number of sessions, it is allowed to stroke the animal, and then take it for a walk.

The therapist may suggest reincarnation technique. When meeting with a dog, you must imagine yourself as an object that does not cause any interest in the dog. Then there is confidence that the dog will definitely not attack.

Many experts recommend purchasing a puppy.

A person can cope with the initial stage of the disease himself. Initially, he must accept his fear and realize the importance of getting rid of it.

First of all, a person suffering from a phobia needs to normalize his nervous system. Breathing exercises, relaxation, decoctions and tinctures of valerian, peony, motherwort help to get rid of unnecessary anxiety and stress, contribute to the development of control over your feelings. Positive effect on calming the nervous system carbohydrate diet.

It should normalize sleep, which should last at least 8 hours. Mental fatigue negatively affects the functioning of the brain. It is advisable to avoid any stress, mental overload and not overload yourself with work. You need to provide yourself with a good rest.

Daily allocation of time for your favorite activity, a new hobby helps to increase mood and self-esteem. Self-improvement and self-knowledge provide an opportunity to reveal hidden talents, to find harmony of body and soul, to draw closer to the outside world. Training in any sport leads to a decrease in anxiety and stabilization of the central nervous system. It is often necessary to be in the fresh air.

We must try to look at the dog with different eyes: she is a friend of man. You should mentally focus on this image and imagine how the pet protects the owner, shows love and devotion to him. Often, former moviegoers become avid dog lovers.

Experts recommend observing the following model of behavior when meeting a dog:

• you can not look the animal directly in the eye, otherwise a direct look can serve as a signal to attack;
• do not make any sudden movements, do not wave your arms, but behave calmly, with all appearance, demonstrate your friendliness;
• you should not smile broadly, otherwise the animal can take a smile for a demonstration of fangs and make an attack on a person;
• it is advisable to switch the attention of the dog to a neatly thrown object that can be nibbled;
• in no case should you run away from a pack of dogs;
• with a clear attempt to attack an aggressive dog, you need to try to neutralize it by striking the nose with kicks.