Reptiles and amphibians. Along with insects, they are usually among the beings that cause the most discomfort to people. Given the danger of some of these animals, the existence of a certain fear of them is to a certain extent logical, being something adaptive. And obviously, a run-in with a poisonous snake or a crocodile can be highly dangerous or even fatal.
But in some people, this fear is exaggerated and represents a real phobia towards most reptiles and amphibians that can limit their functioning: we are talking about those who suffer from an anxiety disorder known as herpetophobia
Herpetophobia is defined as the phobia or panic towards most reptiles and some amphibians We are facing one of the most common specific phobias in the world, being in fact the second most widespread phobia linked to animals, after arachnophobia.
Whoever suffers from this phobia usually experiences strong anxiety in the presence of reptiles and amphibians, which can be accompanied by physiological symptoms such as tremor, hyperarousal, excessive sweating, tachycardia and hyperventilation. Exposure to these beings can generate an anxiety crisis in which pain associated with cardiac crises, depersonalization or the belief that one is going to die or go crazy appear, among other symptoms. In some cases, temporary paralysis may even appear, due to the overactivation of the nervous system In addition to fear, it is not strange that reptiles and amphibians also generate disgust or repulsion for people with this phobia.
Fear is not only aroused by the presence of these animals themselves, but also by situations or places where they could appear or by elements that announce their presence. For example, finding a snake skin can cause a panic attack in people with this phobia. It also usually causes a certain feeling of discomfort. the perception of undulating movements similar to those carried out by snakes and other reptiles Although it is much less common, some people may also fear products derived from them or that are reminiscent of them, such as clothing or accessories that look scaly or that simulate the skin of a crocodile or snake.
Curiously, fear can be more or less selective: snakes, crocodiles and toads tend to be some of those that generate the greatest fear. However, other species do not usually trigger fear, such as turtles. When it comes to amphibians such as toads and frogs, the problem may be that they have a certain resemblance to reptiles, in addition to the knowledge that many species are poisonous.
Herpetophobia and ophidiophobia: are they the same?
Herpetophobia has often been related to the fear of snakes, and the phobia of these beings is considered as such. In this sense, it is often used as a synonym for ophidiophobia. But assimilating one with the other is wrong, there being no complete overlap between both concepts.
Herpetophobia is, as we have said before, fear of reptiles and some amphibians in general Although this includes snakes (which are also some of the creatures that generate the most panic in people with herpetophobia), it also includes other beings such as crocodiles, lizards, iguanas, frogs and toads (these last two amphibians). This is why ophidiophobia and herpetophobia, although closely linked, cannot be considered synonymous. Rather, we could say that herpetophobia would include ophidiophobia, the latter being much more specific.
Why does it appear?
The cause of this phobia is not completely known, but as with spiders and other creatures, a possible explanation is that the fear of reptiles is a product of our ancestors’ inheritance, assuming a reaction of fear of these beings is an advantage. adaptive by allowing our ancestors react quickly by running away from them
This possible inheritance would be activated by conditioning and learning throughout life: the knowledge of people who have died after being bitten by snakes, poisoned after touching certain types of frog or eaten by crocodiles, or the fact that Suffering some type of attack from one of these creatures facilitates fear of them. Likewise, some of its characteristics, such as the high number of teeth of a crocodile or the easy view of a snake’s fangs, can in themselves be disturbing.
Culture also plays a role in the acquisition of this panic: traditionally, In the West, reptiles have been seen as dangerous creatures and they have been endowed with abilities related to evil, intrigue, pain and suffering. Even if we look at legends and children’s stories, we often find that the obstacle or danger to overcome is a dragon or some type of reptile. Even in religion: in Genesis the snake is the representation of evil that tempts Eve to taste the forbidden apple. All this means that in the West the sight of this type of animal is something that awakens a feeling of danger in many of us.
On the contrary, in the East they are usually seen as protective and benevolent entities. For example, tradition says that Buddha was protected by a naga (demigods shaped like a giant snake), and the image of eastern dragons is that of wise and generally benevolent and powerful beings. This contributes to lowering the level of panic caused by these beings, although existing since they are ultimately dangerous beings.
Treatment
Specific phobias, such as herpetophobia, They have treatment from the field of psychology It is also one of the types of disorder that is most easily treated and in which there are usually fewer relapses.
Although it may be more or less hard for the patient, The most applied therapy in these cases is exposure therapy Generally applied gradually, the patient will be exposed to anxiety-generating stimuli without the patient engaging in avoidance behaviors until the anxiety generated by them decreases.
The issue of graduation is important, given that a presentation that is too abrupt and poorly planned can actually sensitize the patient and make their fear more pronounced. Thus, a hierarchy is created between patient and therapist in which the former will order different stimuli that cause anxiety (linked to his fear of reptiles) and after that he will proceed to carry out the presentation from one point. to negotiate between professional and client.
You also have to take into account where the fear comes from: is the fear actually of the animals themselves, of being poisoned, of dying, or of other aspects? Discuss what the figure of reptiles means to the patient, why he considers that such fear exists and Also assess the meaning and meaning that said fear may have for the patient It is another aspect to work on.
In this specific phobia, it is common that there are somewhat distorted beliefs about the danger of most of these beings or the probability of encountering them. Cognitive restructuring is in these cases very useful to develop an alternative vision. However, mere information is not enough: it is necessary to work on the topic also through the emotions that the stimulus in question triggers in the subject.
