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Ophidiophobia and the Fear of Snakes

Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania.

my phobia is snakes essay

Ophidiophobia or ophiophobia is the fear of snakes. It is possibly the most common subcategory of herpetophobia , the fear of reptiles. Some researchers believe phobias related to reptiles (and snakes specifically) may be evolutionary, developed by our ancestors as a survival mechanism.  

However, this theory would not explain why snake phobias are relatively common, while fears of predatory animals, such as tigers, are rare. Some research shows that while the tendency to pay close attention to snakes may be evolutionary, the actual fear is learned rather than innate.

The fear of snakes can be tricky to diagnose, as symptoms can vary widely between people.   If you have mild ophidiophobia, you may fear only encounters with large or venomous snakes.

If your phobia is more severe, you may be afraid of smaller snakes as well. You may even be unable to look at photographs or videos in which snakes appear. If you are also afraid of lizards, from small geckos to six-foot Komodo dragons, then your phobia is more properly termed herpetophobia.

Your symptoms may include, but are not limited to, shaking, crying, or running away from snakes. You may experience heart palpitations or have difficulty breathing. You may find it difficult or even impossible to remain in the same room as a snake.  

Ophidiophobia can be insidious. Over time, you may begin to fear things that are not directly related to snakes themselves. For example, you may become afraid of pet stores that offer snakes for sale. You may avoid camping or hiking trips, or even zoos and nature preserves. You may also develop a secondary fear of other reptiles.

It is normal to be nervous or unsure around unfamiliar animals. In addition, there are a number of common myths about snakes. If you have never handled one, you may be nervous that it will be slimy or disgusting or afraid that you will be crushed by a constrictor.

These fears are common and can be dispelled simply by gaining more personal knowledge about animals. The symptoms listed above, on the other hand, are out of proportion to normal nervousness and may indicate an actual phobia . Only a mental health professional can make that determination.

The most common treatments for snake phobia are based on cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques.   You may be encouraged to talk about your fear and taught new messages to replace your fearful self-talk.

You may also be slowly exposed to snakes, beginning with photographs and gradually building up to a live encounter with a small snake in a controlled environment. Hypnosis is sometimes used to assist in relaxation.

Fortunately, ophidiophobia has an excellent chance for successful treatment.

It is important, though, to choose a therapist that you feel you can trust to help you through this process. Different treatments work for different people, so don't be afraid to try something out of the ordinary should a normal course of treatment prove ineffective. If you diligently treat your condition, things can gradually get better.

Van Strien JW, Franken IH, Huijding J. Testing the snake-detection hypothesis: larger early posterior negativity in humans to pictures of snakes than to pictures of other reptiles, spiders and slugs . Front Hum Neurosci . 2014;8:691. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2014.00691

Rádlová S, Janovcová M, Sedláčková K, et al. Snakes represent emotionally salient stimuli that may evoke both fear and disgust . Front Psychol . 2019;10:1085. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01085

Harvard Medical School. Coping with anxiety and phobias.

Pennsylvania State University. Ophidiophobia .

  • American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Ed) . Washington DC: Author; 2013.​​

By Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer and editor with a deep interest in phobias and other mental health topics.

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Fear of Snakes: Understanding Ophidiophobia

DR. ASHUTOSH TRIPATHI

Abstract: Fear of snakes, also known as ophidiophobia, is a common and often debilitating phobia. This blog post aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the fear of snakes, its psychological meaning, and ways to overcome it. The post is structured with ten main headings, each with three subheadings, and seven points in each subheading. The headings cover topics such as the origins of the fear of snakes, the symptoms of ophidiophobia, and strategies for overcoming the fear.

What Is Fear Of Snakes

Table of Contents

Snakes have always been a source of fear for humans, dating back to ancient times. The fear of snakes, also known as ophidiophobia, is one of the most common phobias worldwide. This fear can be so intense that it disrupts daily life and limits opportunities. In this blog post, we will explore the origins of the fear of snakes, its psychological meaning, and practical ways to overcome it.

The Origins of the Fear of Snakes

Evolutionary Perspective

  • Humans’ ancestral relationship with snakes: Snakes have been a part of the human environment for millions of years, and our ancestors likely encountered them on a regular basis. Evidence suggests that early humans may have even used snakes as a food source. This long history of interaction with snakes may have contributed to the development of ophidiophobia in some individuals.
  • Natural selection and the evolution of fear: Natural selection favors traits that increase an organism’s chances of survival and reproduction. Fear is an adaptive response that helps individuals avoid danger and increase their chances of survival. Over time, those individuals who had a healthy fear of snakes may have been more likely to survive and pass on their genes to future generations, leading to the evolution of the fear response.
  • Fear of snakes in other animals: The fear of snakes is not unique to humans. Many other animals, including primates, birds, and rodents, also exhibit a fear response to snakes. This suggests that the fear of snakes may have an evolutionary basis that predates the emergence of humans.

Cultural Perspective

  • Myths and folklore: Snakes have been an important cultural symbol in many societies throughout history. They have been associated with both good and evil, and many myths and folklore have been developed around them. Some of these stories may have contributed to the development of ophidiophobia in certain cultures.
  • Media and pop culture: Snakes are often portrayed as dangerous and menacing in popular media, such as movies and television shows. This constant exposure to negative depictions of snakes can reinforce existing fears or even create new ones.
  • Religious beliefs and symbolism: Snakes have played an important role in many religions, including Christianity, Hinduism, and Native American religions. They have been associated with concepts such as wisdom, temptation, and evil, and have been used as religious symbols. These cultural associations may contribute to the development of ophidiophobia in some individuals.

Personal Perspective

  • Negative experiences with snakes: Personal experiences with snakes, such as a traumatic encounter or a bite, can contribute to the development of ophidiophobia. These negative experiences can create a strong emotional response that can be difficult to overcome.
  • Learning from others: Children may learn to fear snakes from parents or other influential figures in their lives. If a child is taught to fear snakes, they may develop ophidiophobia later in life, even if they have never had a negative experience with a snake themselves.3. Genetic predisposition

The Symptoms of Ophidiophobia

Physical Symptoms

  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure: When confronted with a fear of snakes, the body’s natural response is to activate the fight or flight response, which can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. These physical symptoms can be a sign that the body is preparing to respond to a perceived threat.
  • Sweating and trembling: The fight or flight response can also cause sweating and trembling. This physical response is a result of the body’s attempt to regulate body temperature and increase muscle readiness.
  • Nausea and dizziness: In some cases, the fear of snakes can cause nausea and dizziness. These symptoms may be a result of the body’s response to stress, which can impact the digestive and nervous systems.

Emotional Symptoms

  • Intense anxiety and fear: The fear of snakes can cause intense anxiety and fear, which can be overwhelming and debilitating. This emotional response can be a result of the body’s natural response to perceived danger.
  • Avoidance behavior: Some individuals with ophidiophobia may engage in avoidance behavior, such as avoiding outdoor activities or locations where snakes are likely to be present. This behavior can significantly impact daily life and limit opportunities for social interaction and enjoyment.
  • Panic attacks: In severe cases, the fear of snakes can lead to panic attacks. Panic attacks are characterized by a sudden onset of intense fear, accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, and difficulty breathing.

Cognitive Symptoms

  • Obsessive thoughts about snakes: Individuals with ophidiophobia may experience obsessive thoughts about snakes, such as imagining encounters with them or worrying about the possibility of encountering them in the future.
  • Exaggerated perception of danger: The fear of snakes can lead to an exaggerated perception of danger, causing individuals to perceive even harmless snakes as a threat.
  • Difficulty concentrating: The fear of snakes can also impact cognitive function, making it difficult to concentrate on other tasks or activities. This can be a result of the intense emotional and physical response to the fear of snakes.

The Psychological Meaning of Fear of Snakes

Conditioning and Learning

  • Classical conditioning and ophidiophobia: Classical conditioning, the process by which an association is formed between a previously neutral stimulus and an aversive stimulus, may play a role in the development of ophidiophobia. For example, if someone has a negative experience with a snake, such as being bitten, the association between the snake and the pain may lead to a fear response in the future.
  • Operant conditioning and avoidance behavior: Operant conditioning, the process by which behavior is strengthened or weakened by its consequences, may also contribute to the development of avoidance behavior in individuals with ophidiophobia. If someone avoids snakes and experiences relief from anxiety, this behavior is likely to be reinforced and repeated in the future.
  • Social learning theory and fear of snakes: Social learning theory suggests that individuals can learn fear responses through observation and modeling of others. For example, if someone sees a family member or friend exhibiting fear of snakes, they may learn to associate snakes with danger and develop a fear response themselves.

Evolutionary Psychology

  • Preparedness theory and snake fear: Preparedness theory suggests that humans have an innate predisposition to fear certain stimuli that were threats to our evolutionary ancestors, such as snakes. This theory may explain why some individuals develop ophidiophobia more easily than other fears.
  • Anxiety sensitivity theory and ophidiophobia: Anxiety sensitivity theory proposes that individuals who are highly sensitive to bodily sensations, such as a racing heart or sweating, may be more likely to develop specific phobias, including ophidiophobia. This is because these bodily sensations can be triggered by the presence of a feared object or situation.
  • Cognitive-behavioral model of snake phobia : The cognitive-behavioral model suggests that phobias develop as a result of the interaction between cognitive processes, such as negative thoughts about snakes, and behavioral responses, such as avoidance behavior. This model can inform the development of treatment strategies for ophidiophobia.

Psychoanalytic Theory

  • Freudian interpretation of snake phobia: Freudian theory suggests that snake phobia may be linked to unconscious sexual or aggressive impulses. For example, a fear of snakes may represent a fear of the phallus or penis, or a fear of the snake as a symbol of the mother.
  • Jungian archetypes and snake symbolism: Jungian theory proposes that snakes may represent a powerful symbol of transformation and renewal, but also of danger and chaos. Snake phobia may therefore reflect a fear of change or a fear of the unknown.
  • Object relations theory and ophidiophobia: Object relations theory suggests that phobias may be related to early childhood experiences and the development of internal object relationships. For example, a fear of snakes may reflect an unresolved fear or anxiety related to the mother or other primary caregiver.

Strategies for Overcoming the Fear of Snakes

Exposure Therapy

  • Systematic desensitization: Systematic desensitization involves gradually exposing individuals to the feared object or situation in a controlled and safe manner, while simultaneously teaching them relaxation techniques to manage anxiety.
  • Flooding: Flooding is a more intense form of exposure therapy that involves exposing individuals to the feared object or situation all at once, rather than gradually. This approach can be effective for some individuals, but may be overwhelming for others.
  • Virtual reality exposure: Virtual reality exposure involves using a computer-generated simulation to expose individuals to the feared object or situation. This approach can provide a safe and controlled environment for exposure therapy, and may be especially useful for individuals who are unable or unwilling to engage in in vivo exposure.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

  • Cognitive restructuring: Cognitive restructuring involves identifying and challenging negative thoughts and beliefs related to the feared object or situation, and replacing them with more realistic and adaptive thoughts.
  • Relaxation techniques: Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, can be used to reduce anxiety and increase feelings of relaxation during exposure therapy.
  • Exposure hierarchy: An exposure hierarchy is a list of situations or stimuli related to the feared object or situation, ranked from least to most anxiety-provoking. This hierarchy is used to guide exposure therapy and gradually increase the level of exposure over time.

Mindfulness-Based Interventions

  • Acceptance and commitment therapy: Acceptance and commitment therapy involves helping individuals to accept and tolerate uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, rather than trying to control or eliminate them. This approach can be useful for individuals who struggle with the emotional distress associated with exposure therapy.
  • Mindfulness-based stress reduction: Mindfulness-based stress reduction involves teaching individuals mindfulness meditation techniques, which can help them to become more aware of their thoughts and feelings, and develop a more accepting and non-judgmental attitude towards them.
  • Mindful exposure and relapse prevention: Mindful exposure involves using mindfulness techniques during exposure therapy to help individuals remain present and aware of their thoughts and feelings, rather than becoming overwhelmed by them. Relapse prevention strategies are also used to help individuals maintain their gains after completing exposure therapy.

In conclusion, the fear of snakes, or ophidiophobia, is a common phobia that can be debilitating. However, with an understanding of the origins of the fear, the symptoms, and the psychological meaning, there are effective strategies for overcoming it. Exposure therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions are some of the approaches that can help individuals with ophidiophobia live fuller, less-restricted lives.

  • Ophidiophobia : Fear of snakes
  • Classical Conditioning : A type of learning where an unconditioned stimulus elicits a response, and this response becomes associated with a conditioned stimulus over time.
  • Operant Conditioning : A type of learning where behaviors are strengthened or weakened based on their consequences.
  • Social Learning Theory: A theory that suggests people learn by observing and imitating others’ behaviors.
  • Preparedness Theory: A theory that suggests humans have an innate predisposition to fear certain stimuli, such as snakes, due to their evolutionary significance.
  • Anxiety Sensitivity Theory: A theory that suggests people with high anxiety sensitivity are more likely to develop specific phobias.
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Model: A model that suggests that fear of snakes is due to a combination of negative thoughts and avoidance behaviors.
  • Psychoanalytic Theory: A theory that suggests unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences contribute to phobias development.
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A therapy that focuses on accepting negative thoughts and feelings while committing to positive behaviors.
  • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: A program that teaches mindfulness meditation and yoga to reduce stress and anxiety.
  • Mindful Exposure: A technique that involves observing and accepting fear while engaging in exposure therapy.

Last worded from Author

This blog post has provided valuable insights into the fear of snakes and ways to overcome it. Remember, ophidiophobia is a treatable condition, and seeking help is the first step toward a fear-free life.

The fear of snakes, or ophidiophobia, is one of the most common phobias worldwide, affecting up to 1 in 3 adults.

The fear of snakes can have multiple causes, including evolutionary factors, negative experiences with snakes, cultural beliefs and media influences, genetic predisposition, and learning through others.

Several strategies for overcoming the fear of snakes include exposure therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions. Seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor is often recommended.

The fear of snakes is treatable, and seeking help from a mental health professional can often lead to significant improvement.

If you encounter a snake and have a fear of snakes, it’s essential to stay calm and move away slowly. Avoid sudden movements or loud noises that could startle the snake. If hiking in a snake-prone area, consider wearing long pants and boots and staying on marked trails.

  • “What Causes Ophidiophobia (Fear of Snakes)?” Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/ophidiophobia-2671744
  • “Treatments for Specific Phobias: An Overview.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310652/ .
  • What Are Phobias? A Comprehensive Guide

DR. ASHUTOSH TRIPATHI

DR. ASHUTOSH TRIPATHI

Greetings, I am Dr. Ashutosh Tripathi, a psychologist with extensive expertise in criminal behavior and its impact on psychological well-being. I hold a Master of Physics (Honors), a Master of Philosophy, a Master of Psychology, and a PhD in Psychology from BHU in India. Over the past 13 years, I have been privileged to serve more than 3200 patients with unique and varied psychological needs. My clinical work is guided by a deep passion for helping individuals navigate complex psychological issues and live more fulfilling lives. As a recognized contributor to the field of psychology, my articles have been published in esteemed Indian news forums, such as The Hindu, The Times of India, and Punjab Kesari. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been honored by the Government of Israel for my contributions to the Psychological Assistance Program. I remain committed to advancing our understanding of psychology and its applications through my ongoing research, which can be found on leading online libraries such as Science Direct, Wiley, Elsevier, Orcid, Google Scholar, and loop Frontiers. I am also an active contributor to Quora, where I share my insights on various psychological issues. Overall, I see myself as a lifelong student of psychology, constantly learning and growing from my patients, colleagues, and peers. I consider it a great privilege to have the opportunity to serve others in this field and to contribute to our collective understanding of the human mind and behavior.

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The Orianne Society

  • Faces of the Forest

Why Are We Afraid of Snakes and How Do We Overcome That Fear?

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  • February 1, 2021

To this day, I don’t know what compelled me to return to the scene of the slaughter. Morbid curiosity? I didn’t know it at the time, but watching the neighbor kids ruthlessly attack and kill the Gartersnake we had found in a cow pasture that day in the early 1990s would set off a chain of events that would have a profound impact on my life for decades to come. Even at about eight years of age, I knew the snake posed no threat, yet the moment we encountered it my neighbors reached for the closest sticks they could find and struck the animal repeatedly, killing it within seconds. My neighbors were on auto pilot and likely didn’t even think about what they were doing, they just did it, even though every snake in the area was completely harmless. After returning home I replayed the event in my head until curiosity got the best of me and I ran back to the spot where it happened to get a closer look. As I cautiously approached the snake’s remains I discovered, to my horror, that its innards were not nearly as lifeless as the snake’s stiffening corpse. After poking it with a stick (a requisite act for any kid my age), two small wormlike creatures wriggled out of the entrails. While my attempts to save those premature babies would not be successful, the whole experience filled me with a desire to save neighborhood snakes from similar fates. From that point forward, whenever I found a snake near the neighbor’s house, I moved it to our side of the fence. This new hobby of mine would grow into a lifelong passion to conserve habitat for reptiles, which can be an especially uphill battle when it comes to snakes. Conservation is always an uphill battle, but it’s a simple fact that people just don’t like snakes and would rather have less of them around. But why is that? And is it possible for people who are passionate in their loathing of snakes to have a change of heart?

my phobia is snakes essay

By far, snakes are among the most maligned animals out there, but most people’s fear of snakes is not at all proportional to the actual threat they pose. Most snakes in North America are harmless, and the small number of venomous species we do have will go out of their way to avoid humans . Yet, time after time again we see full grown humans react in terror to the presence of a snake, even though the same people are able to maintain a very calm demeanor around much more dangerous species such as squirrels, or worse yet, raspberries (which have been known to attack unprovoked). The minuscule teeth of non-venomous snakes aren’t good for much more than keeping frogs from escaping from their mouths and a bite from most species could be described more accurately as a “gumming” rather than a bite. Larger snakes might be able to break skin, but we’re talking about mild scratches, not a mauling, so the extremely common fear of these animals is really quite baffling. And when snakes are killed as a result, they aren’t killed because they are a threat, they are killed because they are there.

my phobia is snakes essay

Yes, some snakes can be harmful to humans if bitten (in the US those are vipers and coralsnakes for the most part), but even those generally won’t bite unless provoked. Venom is a last line of defense and is usually reserved for emergency defense when retreat is not an option. In truth, the majority of venomous snakebites happen as a direct result of someone messing with the snake. One good example of that was a recent case where a young man was bitten by a rattlesnake he claimed fell into his kayak from a tree, but once the man’s family spoke out we all learned that’s not how it actually happened. He saw the snake, paddled towards it, and picked it up… because he thought it was an alligator. I will not attempt to explore his logic on that one, but the point is he was messing with the snake and that is why he ended up in the hospital. Let’s also not forget the man who beat a rattlesnake with a stick in South Texas in an ill-fated attempt to protect his family. He ended up injuring his daughter when he tried to fling the wounded animal off the trail and ended up throwing the snake right into his child’s leg, fangs first, sending her to the hospital. If people would simply leave the snakes alone most bites could be avoided.

my phobia is snakes essay

I can understand why people are afraid of venomous snakes, but why the non-venomous ones too? While many people simply cannot tell the difference between venomous and non-venomous, the fear is also very common in places where there are no venomous species. The fact that most infants and toddlers are not afraid of snakes, but older kids and adults often are, suggests the fear is learned. Such was the case with my neighbors who learned the fear from their mother. Many people with a self-described crippling fear of snakes will even admit they were fine with snakes as kids but are terrified of them now, and sometimes they can even point to a specific event when their fear began (for my stepdad, it was when kids at his summer camp tossed a Ratsnake into his sleeping bag). There is some evidence suggesting humans have a genetic predisposition to easily learn a fear of snakes at a young age, and while experimenting on kids is generally frowned upon, one study testing fear conditioning in rhesus monkeys sheds some light on the matter.

my phobia is snakes essay

Back in the 80’s Dr. Susan Mineka observed that wild rhesus monkeys are usually afraid of snakes, but captive-born monkeys are not. Exploring why that was, she  conducted an experiment  and put young captive-bred monkeys in a room with a rubber snake and had them reach over the snake to retrieve food; they willingly did so. These monkeys had never seen a snake, nor had they ever met another monkey who had seen a snake, but after being shown a video of an adult monkey reacting in fear to a snake, most refused to reach over the toy snake for food ever again; some even cowered in the corner of their enclosures at the sight of the toy snake or threw feces at it. It makes sense that young monkeys would rely on cues from adults to learn what is safe and what is dangerous, but when Dr. Mineka performed the same experiment using a doctored video of monkeys reacting in fear to a flower instead of a snake she found that the young rhesus monkeys did not become afraid of the flower; some even played with it afterward. Do rhesus monkeys have a genetic predisposition to more easily learn a fear of snakes? We don’t know for certain, but that is one very plausible explanation, and we see the same trend in humans. And it all makes sense – in Africa where the human species originated, snakes are dangerous, and our programming hasn’t changed much even though many of us now live in places where snakes pose zero threat.

my phobia is snakes essay

So most of us develop our fears of snakes as children, but eventually we reach an age where if we haven’t already become afraid of snakes we are unlikely to do so. Likewise, children who are afraid of snakes can easily overcome that fear whereas it can be exceedingly difficult for adults to make the same change. And that is true even though most people with a fear of snakes fully understand that the fear is irrational, yet an encounter with a snake triggers an involuntary visceral reaction. Some even have it so bad they become physically nauseous at the sight of a snake, or even just the mention of one.

my phobia is snakes essay

But there is hope. While it can be extremely difficult, unlearning a fear of snakes is not impossible, even in some adults who have carried that fear with them for half a century. The trick, it would seem, relies on being able to see other people have positive experiences with snakes. This works in both children and adults, but while the transition to appreciating snakes can take mere seconds in children, the process in adults may be very gradual, sometimes taking years.

my phobia is snakes essay

When I lead reptile and amphibian workshops or field trips, there are almost always a couple people really uncomfortable when the group finds its first serpent. As the group huddles to take a closer look, I’ll generally see at least a couple people slink to the back, sometimes even stepping a few paces away from the group and looking away while the snake is being examined. But for longer workshops or week-long classes, even people with very strong fears of snakes start to ease up a little after seeing their friends and classmates interact with snakes calmly. Once they see other people handing snakes and having positive experiences with them they might start moving closer to the center of the group whenever a snake is found, perhaps driven by the same morbid curiosity that prompted me to return to the snake’s corpse as a child. Eventually, they ask to touch the tail while someone else holds the head. From there, the transition from touching the tail to holding the snake on their own can be quite quite rapid, and while they might still be very nervous, they usually cannot stop themselves from grinning ear to ear as they accomplish this major milestone in their lives. And they always ask for someone to take a picture so they can show their wife proof they actually touched a snake because none of their friends or family would believe it otherwise.

my phobia is snakes essay

Some people don’t even know why they are afraid of snakes and just haven’t had an opportunity to realize they are harmless. Back in college I worked on a veggie farm and one girl there freaked out the couple times she uncovered snakes under a tarp. The second time it happened I caught one of the snakes and it was clear she was mildly disturbed, but also fascinated that I was handling the snake calmly. When I asked if she wanted to hold it her gut response was a panicked, “Are you serious?” When I said yes, however, she took a moment to think it over, decided she would try it, and within 24 hours she was catching snakes by herself and moving them out of harm’s way. Similarly, last year when I did a reptile workshop for a summer camp, I recall one girl remarking “If there is snake in that bucket I am going to freak out”. Guess what – half an hour later she was holding the snake and I overheard her telling her friends on the walk back to the bus that snakes are so cool and she wanted one as a pet now. No, it’s not always that easy, but even if some people never become comfortable with snakes, it is often possible to at least help them get to a point where they are willing to leave snakes be rather than kill them.

my phobia is snakes essay

One landowner I work with used to kill every rattlesnake he encountered (and his property has many), but now he is actively working to improve habitat or the snakes on his land. In his own words, snakes still freak him out and he hates seeing them, but he appreciates them as living beings that deserve respect and he wishes them the best of luck. That is huge! It is not my goal to make every single person love snakes – that isn’t possible – I just want people to better appreciate their value as wild animals and give them the space they need to survive. Even in the case of venomous snakes – once you know the snake is there, it really isn’t a threat anymore. And if you don’t know what it is or worry it may be venomous, just walk around it or reach out to someone qualified to identify and/or relocate the animal (some Facebook groups are great at quickly identifying snake pictures ). Contrary to popular belief, they will not chase you, though they do sometimes put on an exaggerated show to convince you to leave them alone. 

my phobia is snakes essay

With enough positive exposure most people can overcome their fear of snakes. We may be programmed to learn a fear of snakes very easily, but time after time again I have seen that fear unlearned — it just takes some time, patience, and often a helping hand. Most of the photos and captions in this post tell a story of someone overcoming their fear of snakes, so please, if you self-describe as having a snake phobia, or if you know someone who does, I encourage you to read those stories. Look at the smiles on those people’s faces. One day that could be you.

So, with that, I’ll leave you with the words of Chris Jenkins, CEO of the Orianne Society, who says often in his Snake Talk Podcast , “Maybe you’ll find that what you perceive as fear is actually rooted in a deep fascination. Snakes are animals too, and it is a privilege to see one in the wild.”

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Kiley Briggs

Great article, Kiley, and thanks for the shoutout to the Snake Identification page. It never gets old seeing people positively change their outlook on snakes!

Comments are closed.

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Why You Fear Snakes (Ophidiophobia) and What to Do About It

Snake phobia or ophidiophobia is an extreme fear of snakes. Many people are afraid of snakes, but those with ophidiophobia have an extreme and irrational amount of fear. Ophidiophobia is sometimes also called ophiophobia.

Ophidiophobia may occur alone or along with a fear of reptiles, which is called herpetophobia .

In this article, you’ll learn the difference between a general fear of snakes and ophidiophobia. You'll also look at the symptoms and causes of ophidiophobia, how it’s diagnosed, and what treatments are available.

Alpgiray Kelem / Getty Images

Ophidiophobia is considered a specific phobia . Specific phobias are an intense, irrational fear of an object or situation that poses very little actual danger.

For many people, simply thinking about the phobia trigger can bring on severe anxiety.

Ophidiophobia is one of the most common specific phobias. Other common types include arachnophobia (fear of spiders) and acrophobia (fear of heights).

The term "ophidiophobia" comes from the Greek word "ophio" or the modern Latin term "ophidia ," which both mean snake or serpent, and the Greek word "phobia."

Types of Specific Phobia

  • Animal type (zoophobia) : Snakes, spiders, dogs, etc.
  • Natural environment type : Heights, water, or lightning
  • Blood-injection-injury type : Seeing blood, getting a shot, or watching a medical procedure
  • Situational type : Airplanes, elevators, or enclosed places ( claustrophobia )
  • Other : Fear of illness, fear of certain noises, fear of clowns , and others not covered above

Symptoms of Snake Phobia

A phobia is more than just fear. It’s normal to feel fear when you’re in danger. 

For example, if you’re out in the woods and see a rattlesnake poised to strike , fear is natural and a good thing. It floods your system with adrenaline and speeds up reaction time so you can take quick action to protect yourself. This is called the “fight or flight” response.

Someone with ophidiophobia may have a panic attack from glimpsing a snake on television, from hearing someone talk about a snake, or from seeing one in a cage. They may even be terrified of small, nonvenomous snakes that can’t harm them in any significant way.

Symptoms of ophidiophobia may include:

  • Emotional stress, anxiety , or panic
  • A sense of immediate danger or doom
  • A desire to escape
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Shortness of breath or feeling that you’re being suffocated or choked
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Fear of losing control
  • Fear of death
  • Tingling sensations

You may go to great lengths to avoid snakes. although this depends on the severity of your phobia.

It may be impossible for you to go hiking or camping due to your fear of encountering a snake. You may avoid pet stores or refuse to go to a home where someone keeps snakes as pets. You may not be able to watch movie scenes featuring snakes.

Phobias like ophidiophobia are diagnosed based on symptoms. The fifth edition of the " Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-5) lays out seven criteria:

  • A persistent fear that is excessive or unreasonable occurs when snakes are present or anticipated.
  • Exposure to snakes almost always leads to an immediate anxiety response.
  • You recognize the fear is excessive or out of proportion to the threat.
  • You avoid places where snakes could be or have intense anxiety or distress when one is present.
  • Avoidance behaviors, the anticipation of anxiety, or distress when a snake is present significantly interfere with your day-to-day life, or you have marked distress about the phobia itself.
  • The fear is persistent, meaning you’ve had it for at least six months.
  • No other mental disorder can explain the fear. Other possible diagnoses include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social phobia , and panic disorder.

You may also be asked to fill out a diagnostic form called the Snake Questionnaire (SNAQ). SNAQ is based on DSM-5 criteria. It contains 30 true or false questions designed to help your healthcare provider assess the severity of your fear. Studies have found that the SNAQ is a fast and reliable way to evaluate someone for ophidiophobia.

Your primary healthcare provider may be comfortable diagnosing a phobia. If not, they may refer you to a mental health specialist.

Experts don’t yet know the exact causes of phobias. They’ve identified a few factors that may contribute to their development, such as: 

  • Bad experiences : Traumatic events can stay with you for a long time. If you were bitten or badly frightened by a snake in early childhood, it may contribute to a phobia.
  • Learned responses : Seeing others have an extreme reaction to snakes may make you think snakes are more dangerous than they are.
  • Genetics : Phobias often run in families. Research suggests some people are more likely to develop phobias than others.
  • Long-term stress : Chronic stress can lower your ability to cope with intense situations, leading to a disproportionate fear response that may cause a phobia.
  • Brain chemistry : When out of balance, the chemicals (neurotransmitters) serotonin and dopamine can cause anxiety and contribute to phobias.

Some research suggests humans adapted to pay special attention to snakes because of the danger they posed to primitive people. In some, this heightened attention contributes to a phobia’s development.

Not all phobias need to be treated. Your need for treatment depends on how much it impacts your life.

If your ophidiophobia causes distress and limits your activities, you may want to get treatment. Treatment for specific phobias generally includes psychotherapy (talk therapy) and possibly medication.

Psychotherapy

Types of psychotherapy used for phobias include:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) : A type of talk therapy that helps you change harmful thought patterns.
  • Exposure therapy : Exposing you to snakes in a gradual way until you’re able to tolerate them. Typically, this starts with a picture and works up to an actual snake.
  • Technology-assisted therapy : Exposure therapy may be done using virtual reality or augmented reality.

Medications

Some evidence suggests that medications aren't very effective for treating phobias. However, some are commonly used and may offer some relief.

This can be especially true when combined with psychotherapy. Medications for treating phobias include:

  • Antidepressants : Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) can potentially decrease symptoms associated with phobias by changing brain chemistry over time.
  • Antianxiety drugs : Anxiolytics may help decrease or prevent the fear response of phobias.
  • Beta-blockers : Typically used for high blood pressure , beta-blockers such as propranolol can decrease some of your body's responses associated with phobias.

You may also benefit from relaxation and deep breathing exercises to calm your anxiety.

Ophidiophobia, or fear of snakes, is a type of specific phobia. Seeing a snake or even thinking about one can trigger symptoms including anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and sweating. Your phobia may limit your activities.

Phobias are diagnosed based on symptoms outlined in the DSM-5. They're believed to be caused by a combination of genetics, brain chemistry, trauma, stress, and learned responses.

Treatment is typically psychotherapy, especially with exposure therapy, and possibly medications.

National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health. Specific phobia .

Dinh HT, Nishimaru H, Le QV, et al. Preferential neuronal responses to snakes in the monkey medial prefrontal cortex support an evolutionary origin for ophidiophobia . Front Behav Neurosci . 2021;15:653250. doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2021.653250

University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine: Penn Psychiatry. Specific phobias .

Anxiety & Depression Association of America. Symptoms .

Zsido AN. The spider and the snake - A psychometric study of two phobias and insights from the Hungarian validation . Psychiatry Res . 2017;257:61-66. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.07.024

Polák J, Sedláčková K, Nácar D, Landová E, Frynta D. Fear the serpent: A psychometric study of snake phobia . Psychiatry Res . 2016;242:163-168. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2016.05.024

Johns Hopkins Medicine. Phobias .

Mind. Phobias .

Boston Children’s Hospital. Phobias symptoms & causes .

Thng CEW, Lim-Ashworth NSJ, Poh BZQ, Lim CG. Recent developments in the intervention of specific phobia among adults: a rapid review . F1000Res . 2020;9:F1000 Faculty Rev-195. Published 2020 Mar 19. doi:10.12688/f1000research.20082.1

Kroes MC, Tona KD, den Ouden HE, Vogel S, van Wingen GA, Fernández G. How administration of the beta-blocker propranolol before extinction can prevent the return of fear .  Neuropsychopharmacology . 2016;41(6):1569-1578. doi:10.1038/npp.2015.315

By Adrienne Dellwo Adrienne Dellwo is an experienced journalist who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and has written extensively on the topic.

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Afraid of Snakes? You May Have Ophidiophobia

Author Tracy Smith

Ophidiophobia refers to an atypical and illogical fear of snakes that falls under the larger category of herpetophobia or the fear of reptiles. Ophidiophobia is fairly common and can range in severity, as some individuals may only be mildly afraid, while others may possess a severe and incapacitating fear. A minor phobia might encompass a fear of large, poisonous snakes, while a more severe phobia may include small, harmless ones. A person with an intense snake phobia may be unable to view snakes in pictures, television shows, or movies.

fear of snakes

Ophidiophobia is a type of specific phobia, an irrational fear that is accompanied by symptoms of severe anxiety that can interfere with daily functioning.

Signs of Ophidiophobia

To be diagnosed with ophidiophobia, a licensed mental health practitioner will determine if a person’s fear of snakes is warranted and rational, or more abnormal. Some individuals with ophidiophobia may avoid outdoor activities, zoos, or pet stores for fear of encountering a snake. A person may experience overwhelming fear, trepidation, and anxiety from merely seeing a photo or video of a snake. Physical symptoms may include tearfulness, increased heart rate, labored breathing, and trembling. Other bodily symptoms can include perspiration, queasiness, throwing up, and panic attacks. 

There are several theories as to why snakes are so feared. One hypothesis postulates that human beings are born with an intrinsic fear of snakes that has evolutionary origins. Other theories suggest that a fear of snakes may be a conditioned fear, where individuals learn to be afraid from watching others. Snakes are often portrayed in the movies as scary and perilous creatures, which can teach children at a young age to be fearful. A fear of snakes may also result from an early traumatic childhood experience, such as when a young child attempts to touch a snake and gets hissed at or bitten instead. Finally, ophidiophobia may very well be fueled and perpetuated by general myths about snakes.

Treatment Options

Thankfully, ophidiophobia can be addressed and treated. Individuals need to extract myth from fact and learn which species of snakes are dangerous, where they reside, and how to identify them. Individuals can also equip themselves with knowledge on how to respond to a snake bite, in case it comes up. The majority of snake bites are harmless and treatable. If their phobia is mild, a person can attempt to expose themselves to harmless snakes to reduce their fears. Some zoos offer visitors the opportunity to interface with safe snakes under the watchful eye of a trained professional.

If a person’s ophidiophobia is more severe, they may have to seek professional counseling treatment. Cognitive-behavioral treatment interventions are used most often to help people to combat their fears. During therapy, an individual will be taught how to identify and recognize erroneous thoughts and beliefs contributing to their irrational fears. They will then be encouraged to use more positive self-talk and to replace illogical thoughts to improve negative feelings and behaviors.

Gradual exposure techniques are representative of another treatment modality, exposure therapy , that helps expose individuals to feared stimuli in their order of severity. One might initially be exposed to a photograph, then a video, and then work their way up to seeing a snake in person. Hypnosis and other relaxation techniques can also be utilized to help a person relax during these exposure periods.

While the fear of snakes may be a debilitating phobia in some cases, it can be significantly reduced and possibly completely overcome. If your ophidiophobia is disruptive to your daily life, consider speaking with a professional therapist.

  • Specific Phobia . (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).  https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/specific-phobia
  • Hamm A. O. (2009).  Specific phobias .  The Psychiatric clinics of North America ,  32 (3), 577–591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2009.05.008
  • Souchet, J., & Aubret, F. (2016). Revisiting the fear of snakes in children: the role of aposematic signalling .  Scientific reports ,  6 , 37619. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep37619
  • Murray, E. J., & Foote, F. (1979). The origins of fear of snakes . Behaviour Research and Therapy , 17 (5), 489–493. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7967(79)90065-2

Author Tracy Smith

Tracy is a Licensed Professional Counselor and is a clinical supervisor for a Community YMCA. Tracy has over 12 years of experience working in many settings including partial care hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs, community agencies, group practice, and school-based programs. Tracy works with clients of all ages, but especially enjoys working with the adolescents.

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What is Ophidiophobia?

Last updated on 28th April 2023

What is ophidiophobia

In this article

Although accurate statistics of how many people experience ophidiophobia, or a fear of snakes, are not available, it is thought that approximately 10% of people are afraid of snakes. This equates to 6.7 million people in the UK. However, the proportion of this number who are experiencing a true phobia is unknown.

Ophidiophobia is one of the most common types of specific phobia. Today, we will look at ophidiophobia in more detail, including causes, symptoms and possible treatments.

What is ophidiophobia?

Ophidiophobia is a specific phobia characterised by an extreme and overwhelming fear of snakes. Phobias, including ophidiophobia, are a type of anxiety disorder. Although many people have a fear of snakes, to be categorised as a phobia, the fear must be extreme and interfere with your day-to-day life, your overall wellbeing or your sense of safety.

To qualify as ophidiophobia, your fear of snakes must include:

  • Feelings of intense fear, panic or anxiety that are irrational and difficult to control or manage.
  • The fear must be out of proportion to the potential danger.
  • The fear of snakes must last longer than six months.
  • The fear negatively impacts your day-to-day life.

Studies have shown that the human brain is evolutionarily conditioned to be afraid of snakes. Humans are predisposed to recognising snakes as dangerous, possibly as a survival mechanism developed by our ancestors. The evolutionary basis for ophidiophobia likely developed because certain snakes are dangerous to humans, especially those that are venomous or are large enough to squeeze a human to death.

However, in reality, only 7% of snakes are dangerous enough to kill or seriously harm a human and it is extremely unlikely that we will ever encounter these snakes in real life. Possibly because there is an evolutionary basis for a fear of snakes, ophidiophobia is one of the most common phobias across the world.

A phobia of snakes differs from a fear of snakes because with a phobia the fear is irrational and overwhelming. An individual who has ophidiophobia won’t usually just be fearful of snakes that pose a danger, they will also fear small, non-venomous snakes and snakes who are in secure cages or enclosures.

The fear of snakes may interfere with your ability to function in certain situations such as at work or school and in social situations. For example, you may avoid places or situations where you could encounter snakes, take extreme action to avoid snakes or act in an unusual way.

Some people who have ophidiophobia experience intense anxiety just by thinking about or hearing about snakes or if they see or hear something that reminds them of a snake, such as a hissing noise or a long rope.

Even if you understand that your phobia is excessive and unrealistic, you may be unable to control your fear or prevent your symptoms from occurring. Some people with ophidiophobia may also experience another phobia related to their fear of snakes.

This could include:

  • Herpetophobia: A fear of reptiles.
  • Ranidaphobia: A fear of frogs.
  • Thanatophobia: A fear of death.

You may also develop an intense fear of objects, places or situations that are related to snakes. For example, fearing long grass or pet shops.

Ophidiophobia is a type of specific phobia. A specific phobia is a lasting, overwhelming and unreasonable fear of a specific object, situation, activity or person; in this situation, an overwhelming fear of snakes. The most common specific phobias are acrophobia (a fear of heights), agoraphobia (a fear of places or situations where you are unable to escape, e.g. enclosed areas or crowds), arachnophobia (a fear of spiders) and hemophobia (a fear of blood).

Fear of woodland areas due to snakes

How common is ophidiophobia?

The true prevalence of ophidiophobia is unknown. This is because some people with ophidiophobia never seek a diagnosis and instead avoid places and situations where they could encounter snakes. Alternatively, they may try to manage their symptoms themselves.

It is thought that approximately 10% of the world’s population is afraid of snakes, equating to a huge 780 million people. However, determining how many of these people suffer from a phobia of snakes, rather than a fear of snakes, is difficult.

Multiple studies, including Fredrikson, Annas, Fischer and Wik (1996) , have found specific gender differences in the prevalence of ophidiophobia. In fact, women are four times more likely to have a phobia of snakes compared to men.

Who is at risk of ophidiophobia?

Although anyone can develop a phobia of snakes, certain risk factors increase the likelihood of you developing ophidiophobia.

Some of the risk factors include: 

  • Having a close family member with ophidiophobia.
  • Having a close family member with another type of phobia.
  • Having another mental health condition, such as an anxiety disorder.
  • If you were exposed to ophidiophobia during childhood.
  • If you are naturally a more nervous or anxious person.
  • If you have experienced a traumatic experience relating to snakes.
  • Being younger than 20 years of age, as most phobias develop during childhood or adolescence.
  • Being part of a culture or religion that portrays snakes negatively or vilifies them.

However, even if you have one or more of the above risk factors, this does not mean you will develop ophidiophobia. A person with no risk factors who has never had a negative or traumatic experience with a snake can still develop ophidiophobia. On the contrary, someone who has a parent with ophidiophobia and is typically anxious may never develop ophidiophobia.

How to deal with ophidiophobia

Because encounters with snakes in real life are usually rare, you may think the best way to manage your condition is to avoid snakes or any places or situations where you may encounter snakes. However, this may not be the most effective way to deal with your ophidiophobia long-term.

If you don’t deal with your triggers and the cause of your phobia, your symptoms may become more severe, or you may find that your symptoms are easily triggered, even if you aren’t in the presence of a snake.

Learning how to deal with the symptoms of your ophidiophobia can help reduce your phobia’s impact on your day-to-day life and improve your overall wellbeing. You can learn and implement effective coping strategies to reduce or alleviate your symptoms.

Some of the most effective coping strategies are:

  • Implement visualisation techniques to focus on a memory or place that makes you feel calm or encourages a positive outcome.
  • Remind yourself that your fear is irrational and that the snake poses no danger.
  • Remind yourself that the feeling will pass.
  • Focus on something external that will keep you calm, e.g. passing traffic or another person.
  • Stay in the same place until symptoms subside.
  • If the trigger is not a real snake, approach it so you can see it is not real or remind yourself that it is not real and cannot hurt you.

To help you deal with your phobia long-term, there are some strategies that you can implement that can prevent your phobia from taking over if you encounter a snake in the future.

  • Learn more about snakes, especially those native to the UK or any snakes that there is any possibility of you encountering.
  • Learn about how to behave in the event you encounter snakes to keep you safe. For example, snakes are unlikely to attack humans unless they feel threatened. Knowing that a snake is unlikely to attack you can help you keep calm.
  • Practise yoga, meditation or mindfulness, which can help you stay calm in triggering situations.
  • Reduce stress in your everyday life, as you are more likely to feel fear and anxiety if you are stressed.
  • Exercise regularly, eat a healthy more balanced diet and ensure you get enough sleep, as there is a link between all of these factors and anxiety.
  • Talk to someone you trust or someone who has also experienced ophidiophobia.
  • Avoid caffeine and other stimulants that can exacerbate your symptoms.

What triggers ophidiophobia?

Ophidiophobia has different triggers in different places. For example, some people only experience symptoms when in the presence of a snake, whereas other people experience symptoms in many situations, even if there are no snakes present.

Some of the most common triggers that cause a person to begin experiencing symptoms of ophidiophobia are:

  • Encountering a snake in real life.
  • Thinking about a snake.
  • Watching a film or video or seeing a picture of a snake.
  • Hearing a hissing or slithering noise that reminds you of a snake.
  • Going to a zoo, a pet shop or another place where snakes may be.
  • Going to a wood, forest, swamp, jungle or another location that is considered a snake’s natural habitat.
  • Seeing an object that looks like a snake, such as a rope or a thick cable.

Being in a forest can trigger ophidiophobia

What are the symptoms of ophidiophobia?

You can experience symptoms of ophidiophobia when exposed to snakes, when thinking about snakes or when exposed to a sight or sound that reminds you of snakes. You could also experience symptoms if you see a picture, video clip or film that contains a snake. The symptoms of ophidiophobia are similar to the symptoms of anxiety or a panic attack and can be both physiological and psychological.

The symptoms of ophidiophobia can vary significantly from person to person. You may also experience different symptoms in different situations, for example, you may experience different symptoms when thinking about snakes compared to when seeing one in a zoo. Some people also experience different symptoms when faced with different sizes and species of snakes.

Some of the symptoms typically associated with ophidiophobia can include:

Physiological Symptoms:

  • Difficulty breathing, fast breathing, shortness of breath or hyperventilating.
  • Tightness in the chest or chest pain.
  • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea.
  • Dizziness or light-headedness.
  • Increased heart rate.
  • Elevated blood pressure.
  • Shaking or trembling.
  • A burning or prickling sensation in the hands, feet, arms or legs.
  • Chills or hot flushes.
  • A dry mouth.
  • Confusion or disorientation.
  • Raised blood pressure.
  • A headache.
  • A feeling of choking.
  • Freezing and being unable to move.
  • Extreme feelings of terror or fear.
  • A fear of death or dying.
  • A fear of losing control.
  • Overwhelming anxiety.
  • Feeling trapped or unable to escape.
  • A sense of impending doom.

You may know your fear doesn’t make sense, but you cannot manage it or alleviate your symptoms.

What causes ophidiophobia?

There are several reasons why someone could develop ophidiophobia. It could be that multiple factors contribute to a person developing ophidiophobia or a person’s phobia can have one single cause.

The main causes of ophidiophobia are:

  • A negative or traumatic experience with snakes If you had a negative experience with snakes in the past, whether in childhood or adulthood, this could cause you to develop a phobia of snakes. This could include being bitten or threatened by a snake or seeing a frightening video of a snake attack.
  • Learned phobia If you have a close family member, such as a parent or sibling, or a close friend who has ophidiophobia, you are more likely to develop the same phobia. This is particularly true if you are exposed to the phobia during childhood.
  • A genetic predisposition There is thought to be a genetic component to the development of phobias, including ophidiophobia. Genetic factors can make you predisposed to developing a phobia.
  • Cultural beliefs or superstitions In some cultures or religions, snakes may have an extremely negative representation or connotations, such as an association with evil, lies and the devil. These beliefs could result in an intense fear or phobia of snakes.
  • Media portrayal Phobias can be learned as a result of the media portrayal of a particular thing. Snakes are usually portrayed negatively in the media, including in films, TV shows and books. Constant exposure to this negativity can cause someone to develop an extreme fear without having personally had a negative experience with snakes.
  • Significant stress Significant, long-term stress can result in disproportionate fear responses or an inability to manage intense situations.
  • Brain chemistry If the neurotransmitters in your brain are out of balance, this can result in anxiety or a phobia. This is particularly true for the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.

It could also be that there is no clear cause or reason why a person developed ophidiophobia.

How is ophidiophobia diagnosed?

Ophidiophobia can be more difficult to diagnose than other phobias, such as claustrophobia , because it is classed as a specific phobia. This means it is a phobia of a specific object or thing, in this case, the fear of snakes. The diagnostic criteria used for diagnosing phobias do not list all the specific phobias individually, meaning your phobia may be assessed using the diagnostic criteria for specific phobias in general.

If you think you have ophidiophobia, your first step will be to visit your GP. An early diagnosis allows you to seek treatment and reduce your symptoms more effectively.

Receiving a diagnosis may be particularly beneficial if your ophidiophobia:

  • Impedes your ability to function in your everyday life.
  • Has a specific negative impact on your quality of life.
  • Causes you to avoid certain situations or places.
  • Has a negative impact on your mental health or wellbeing.

During your appointment, your GP will ask if you have a history of anxiety disorders or extreme fears. They will look at your medical history and your family history and will likely perform a physical exam. They will also look at any other conditions you are diagnosed with and any medication or supplements you take to ensure your symptoms cannot be attributed to another source.

If your GP suspects you have ophidiophobia, they will likely refer you to a psychologist who will conduct a psychological evaluation and assess your symptoms. The psychologist will need to confirm you are experiencing a phobia rather than a fear.

They will likely give you a phobia questionnaire and will ask for information about:

  • Your triggers.
  • The type of symptoms you experience.
  • The frequency and severity of your symptoms.
  • How much your phobia interferes with your everyday life.

The psychologist will also ask about any negative life events, stressors or traumatic events that could have contributed to you developing ophidiophobia.

To be diagnosed as having ophidiophobia, your symptoms must fit seven key criteria:

1. The fear must be persistent, excessive and unreasonable. It can occur either when snakes are present or when they are not present.

2. Exposure to a snake leads to an immediate anxiety response in the majority of situations.

3. The fear is excessive and disproportionate to the threat, and this is recognised by the individual.

4. The individual avoids places or situations where snakes could be present. If a snake is present, the individual will experience extreme fear, anxiety or distress.

5. The anticipation of snakes and avoidance behaviours associated with avoiding snakes can have a significant impact on the individual’s day-to-day life.

6. The fear has lasted for a minimum of six months.

7. The phobia is not associated with another disorder or mental health condition.

Seeing snake in zoo triggering ophidiophobia

How is ophidiophobia treated?

Treatments for phobias vary depending on the severity of your symptoms and how significantly the phobia impacts your day-to-day life and your overall health and wellbeing. Some people may not require treatment for their ophidiophobia. However, if your phobia is negatively impacting your daily life, you should seek treatment.

You may require more than one type of treatment. The most commonly used treatments for ophidiophobia are:

Psychotherapy

Different types of psychotherapy can be used for the treatment of phobias.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a type of talking therapy that can help you to understand and change harmful, flawed or negative thought patterns. CBT is the most common, and usually most effective, treatment for phobias including ophidiophobia. It can help you to develop coping strategies in case you are faced with triggers in the future.

During your therapy sessions, you will:

  • Discuss your symptoms.
  • Explore your fears in more detail.
  • Learn how to recognise your negative thoughts and change the way you are thinking.
  • Learn coping strategies.
  • Learn calming strategies.

Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy is also known as desensitisation therapy. It is where you are gradually exposed to snakes in a safe, controlled environment. The gradual and repeated exposure allows you to confront your fear and become more comfortable in triggering situations. It can also help you to overcome your fear completely.

There are several different types of exposure therapy, and your psychologist will create a treatment plan based on your specific symptoms. You may begin by looking at pictures of snakes and talking about snakes and build up to using virtual reality to experience a snake and finally seeing a snake in real life.

Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT):

This is a type of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy that helps you to identify irrational and negative thoughts and unhealthy attitudes, emotions and behaviours. REBT is an action-oriented approach that helps people challenge irrational beliefs and manage their thoughts, emotions and behaviours in a more realistic and healthy way.

Medications:

Medication is not usually offered as a sole treatment for ophidiophobia. It may, however, be used in conjunction with psychotherapy in more severe cases of ophidiophobia.

The most common medications used to treat phobias are:

  • Antidepressants Antidepressants such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) can help to decrease the symptoms of phobias.
  • Anti-anxiety medication Anti-anxiety medication may help to prevent or decrease the fear responses related to phobias.
  • Beta-blockers Beta-blockers can help to decrease the body’s negative responses to snakes.

Other Types of Treatment:

There are other treatment options available for ophidiophobia including:

  • Hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy can change the way you feel, think of and behave in response to snakes. You will be put into a relaxed, hypnotic state and then a combination of techniques will be used to re-pattern your thoughts and memories related to snakes and help you to reduce your phobic response. You may also be able to identify and reduce the emotions caused by the onset of the phobia.
  • Relaxation and Visualisation You will be taught different relaxation and visualisation techniques to help you cope if you are ever in a triggering situation. Techniques may include mental imagery, guided imagery, deep breathing techniques, autogenic training and progressive muscle relaxation. These techniques can help you remain calm when faced with snakes in the future.

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About the author

Nicole Murphy

Nicole Murphy

Nicole graduated with a First-Class Honours degree in Psychology in 2013. She works as a writer and editor and tries to combine all her passions - writing, education, and psychology. Outside of work, Nicole loves to travel, go to the beach, and drink a lot of coffee! She is currently training to climb Machu Picchu in Peru.

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Fear of Snakes Phobia – Ophidiophobia

By Editorial Staff 43 Comments

Ophidiophobia

Humans have many fears. The fear of snakes or Ophidiophobia is the second most common phobia in the world. Nearly 1/3 rd of adult humans are believed to have an intense fear of snakes.

Most people with Ophidiophobia can lead normal lives as they do not have to confront the object of their fears under normal circumstances. However, for people with severe Ophidiophobia, the mere mention, or an image of a snake in books or on TV can lead to an intense fear response, the reactions of which can even include heart attacks and death.

Causes of Ophidiophobia

Snakes are fascinating creatures that have always had myths associated with them. These myths are the major reason why humans fear them. This and the fact that some snakes are deadly and venomous and can lead to deaths have probably led to Ophidiophobia.

Following are the causes of Ophidiophobia:

  • Ignorance and lack of education is one of the most common reasons why humans fear snakes.
  • Traumatic episode in the past such as accidently stepping on a snake or being bitten, hissed at or otherwise threatened by snakes might have lead to one’s Ophidiophobia.
  • Seeing or witnessing an incident wherein another person, a close friend or family member was hissed at, or bitten by a snake can also lead to the fear of snakes
  • Media reports and TV shows can also lead one to believe that snakes are always dangerous leading to Ophidiophobia.
  • Genetic traits, family history with ophidiophobic persons etc can also lead other family members to have an intense fear of snakes.
  • Evolution is another reason behind this phobia. Many evolutionary psychologists explain Ophidiophobia as a ‘disgust response’ to snakes that have always been associated with death, disease or poison.

Ophidiophobia is a part of Zoophobia, a generic term for the fear of animals. Some cases of zoophobia are stronger in the childhood and go away in the adulthood. In other cases, the phobia persists and remains even in adulthood.

Symptoms of fear of snakes

The American Psychiatric Association has described following symptoms of Ophidiophobia which can be categorized as mental, physical or emotional:

  • Uncontrollable anxiety especially when one is about to be exposed to snakes
  • Feeling that one must do anything to avoid snakes
  • Screaming, crying or experiencing the difficulty to breathe, or trembling or shaking violently when one encounters snakes, their pictures or images on TV etc.
  • Feeling anxious or experiencing increased heart rate when taken to locations where snakes may be present.

Ophidiophobia can affect a person’s normal life especially when he/she avoids zoos or friends’ homes where there are pet snakes. Ophidiophobics refuse to leave their homes in places that are having high snake population.

Treatment of Ophidiophobia

If you or someone you know is experiencing an irrational fear of snakes, you can look into one or more of the following treatment options:

  • Desensitization and reprocessing- This therapy is effective in addressing past traumatic experiences that might have caused the Ophidiophobia. It helps the patient overcome his/her fear by making him/her look at images of snakes and gradually enable him/her to hold small snakes. This helps the individual overcome fear and move forward in life.
  • CBT or cognitive behavior therapy- Cognitive behavior or restructuring helps the individual identify his/her thought patterns that lie behind the fear of snakes. The patient is made to write down thoughts as to why one fears snakes. These include thoughts like: “snakes are slimy”, “they are dangerous and have the ability to kill humans” and so on.  Writing down these thoughts can help the ophidiophobic identify patterns leading to fear, anxiety and stress. The patients also learn to replace their negative associations with positive beliefs. This, in turn, can help decrease the fear.
  • Relaxation techniques- These include meditation, controlled breathing, counting and positive reaffirmations when faced with images of snakes. The best part about these techniques is that one can tailor their own solutions and help oneself overcome the fear of snakes.
  • Individual counseling or group therapy- Talking about one’s fears can help release negative feelings while coming up with strategies to cope with their phobia.

By using the treatment options mentioned above, one can overcome their Ophidiophobia in order to not only lead a normal life but also enjoy the beautiful creatures that are a fascinating part of our Nature.

Elizabeth says

September 30, 2022 at 9:51 pm

My mom has a phobia of snakes. I slightly fear snakes, but not as bad as she does. I think snakes are interesting creatures. I think she is scared because she was hiking with her family in a desert or something as a kid and went off-trail without them for some reason. She tripped over a huge “branch,” or so she thought it was, and then the branch turned out to be a huge snake that was the color of sand that started coiling around her leg. She thought it was going to bite her, so before it completely wrapped around her foot, she managed to free her leg and ran off. She refuses to look at the snakes in the zoo and covers her face when she passes their enclosures. When I was 11 years old, I had a toy snake that wasn’t very realistic, but whenever she saw it, she would scream. She doesn’t watch movies with snakes and doesn’t look at any pictures of snakes, no matter how hard my dad used to try. Lol, is anyone else this scared of snakes like her, or do you know someone that scared? I’m curious to know.

Ximena says

September 4, 2022 at 6:47 pm

My friend once had a pet snake, but I didn’t know that. It was in her closet, and I opened it for a shirt, and I really passed out. Her mom heard me and did not know that her daughter had a snake in her room.

Alyssa says

September 17, 2021 at 6:57 pm

Thank you. I’m doing an essay and this was really helpful. THANK YOU!

Gabriella says

November 19, 2019 at 2:53 am

I hate snakes and one of my symptoms is when I sleep I feel like they are crawling on my legs.

Angela says

January 15, 2020 at 1:44 pm

I have the same thing

October 24, 2022 at 2:59 pm

That’s just creepy.

September 26, 2019 at 2:42 pm

I hate snakes and how their skin feels. It makes my body feel weird.

jake seagren says

September 18, 2019 at 3:48 pm

Snakes are horrible.

melvin says

December 4, 2021 at 1:45 am

Don’t show fear at the snake, or it will bite. Some snakes help, so don’t be scared.

lisa vitagliano says

September 12, 2019 at 1:59 am

I am the opposite of ophidiophobic I LOVE snakes! I don’t understand how anyone could fear them, I think they are beautiful and fascinating!

Jennifer says

September 9, 2019 at 12:52 am

I have seen a couple of snakes. One in Arizona, I went there for a family funeral. It slithered across the street, in its own world, as though my family didn’t exist. One hid beneath a block in the garage when I was 11. It gave me a creepy vibe each time. They don’t haunt my dreams. I wouldn’t live in Nevada or New Mexico. I’d much rather live in cougar country. I’m not fond of anything venomous. The snakes in Oregon are mostly garden snakes, like the second one I saw. I am not completely phobic, but they give me the willies. I wouldn’t own one. Yucky. I scream when a spider crawls in someone’s house. I won’t hang with the Boa guy. Nothing personal. Snakes are disgusting. It’s most likely an evolutionary response fear in me. I have more of a fear of venom than snakes. I won’t move to rattlesnake country. Thankfully snakes haven’t made me scream. They have given me chills.

August 18, 2019 at 11:09 pm

I am, as well. I have harmless snakes in my area, and unfortunately they love my yard. I scream, and jump every time I see them. I think of them as sneaky and evil, and hate that I rarely see them until almost stepping on one.

Adriana says

September 3, 2019 at 3:49 pm

That’s scary!

Cee Cee says

July 26, 2019 at 5:04 pm

I really didn’t mind snakes so much, and I still don’t – except for a specific kind. It all began when I saw a Burmese python kill and swallow a full grown gator on YouTube. Apparently they have invaded Florida and begun to eat up all the wildlife.

April 30, 2019 at 11:02 pm

I hate snakes, I have dreams of them attacking me.

November 13, 2018 at 12:20 am

Literally my whole class and family has Ophidiophobia except for me!

Nadiah says

October 23, 2018 at 4:19 am

I have a very bad fear of snakes I can’t look at pictures of snakes I can’t even touch a plastic snake i faint. I try to get past my fear but when i try to start with small things like looking at pictures I can’t seem to get it over with. Its like even if i am watching a movie and a snake pops up it becomes hard for me to sleep cause I keep thinking it’s going to attack me in my sleep. I’m very terrified of snakes at the point even if something has a snake skin or snake color i can’t keep it in my room. I really need help how can i stop it?

DeeDee Bushman says

June 19, 2019 at 5:04 am

You don’t have to stop it. It’s okay to be Afraid. I’m scared of snakes too.

November 6, 2019 at 9:38 pm

I agree, it is so hard for me to look at pictures of a snake or even touch a fake snake. I don’t pass out but it does send a shiver down my spine, forcing me to look away.

December 5, 2017 at 11:20 pm

I really like this page because it gives me all the info I need!

My school project will be greatly affected by this.

aidan hall says

October 16, 2017 at 6:41 pm

hi i am in high school and i am doing an essay about snakes.

November 18, 2016 at 7:15 pm

I’m doing a school project and I’m using the site

Mike pap says

March 4, 2017 at 10:22 am

October 16, 2017 at 6:23 am

Same here! I am doing an essay on Ophidiophobia.

offical lebron james jr says

January 30, 2018 at 7:34 pm

Me too, where does the word come from?

William Afton says

April 17, 2019 at 8:33 pm

It comes from the latin word “ophidia” which come from the greek word “ophis” which means serpent.

Dominic Laker says

October 28, 2019 at 5:16 pm

luka houssame says

November 10, 2016 at 11:27 pm

thank you all

June 13, 2016 at 6:59 pm

I have a severe fear of snakes. I had an episode yesterday that was less than attractive and simply embarrassing when I saw a huge snake in my yard. Its debilitating. I live in the desert and I love farming and gardening. I’ve struggled my whole life with it. I dont know what to do anymore.

Willow says

May 18, 2016 at 7:28 pm

My mom can barely even look at a cartoon snake never mind a picture of a real life one. Nothing in her past has anything to do with snakes eg. No family member got hurt by a snake, No family member got killed by a snake, No family member has ophidiophobia at all, people in my family can tolerate snakes/like them, she can’t look at a toy snake or garter snakes / non-poisonous ones. She gets very scared when she sees a plastic snake and I don’t want her to have a panic attack. Does she have ophidiophobia? What should I do?

Savannah Kastning says

March 21, 2016 at 12:16 am

When ever I see a snake on TV or in an image, I begin shaking violently. One time, me and my family were at a park and we were exploring a creek. I was on one side, my younger sister on the other. I saw a snake and started feeling my heart race. My legs felt numb and itchy and before I knew what I was doing, I was on the other side of the creek. Mind telling me why I do this? Thanks!

Lopamudra says

April 9, 2018 at 7:09 pm

This is related to your past life traumatic experience of snakes. You had probably died due to snakes in one of your past life, recent or distant. When one has intense fear of something without any negative experience with them in current life ever, then be informed it goes back to a past life. Throughout births, our bodies change one dies and one new comes.. but the soul remains same and it is common to all of our bodies. The soul remembers the trauma of the past life person as it was in side their bodies and felt what they felt.

This is my first hand experience. I have never in life traveled in ships or made ocean voyages, I am mostly a home body and do not travel much. None in my family does, none i know or knew had such death or experience, but suddenly i developed terrible phobias of drowning in the middle of a dark ocean at a fateful night. My past life regression work proved I had died by accidentally falling from a ship in the sea and it had happened at night.

Past Life Torture: In ancient times, governments would inflict torture on its prisoners by using animals (most often snakes) or insects (most often spiders). That is why Arachnophobia (fear of spiders) and Ophidiophobia (fear of snakes) are the top present phobias.

February 9, 2016 at 11:38 pm

Hi I am doing a school project and I need to know your full name for citation. Thanks

February 12, 2016 at 2:41 pm

Thanks for your interest in my work. If you look to the right, there’s an “About Me” section.

Let me know if you have any other questions – I’ll be happy to answer them.

Sankari says

January 2, 2016 at 1:14 pm

I have a sudden reflex in me whenever I see a snake image or actual snake before realising mentally whether the object I am seeing is a snake. May I know why does this happen?

Jose M Fernandez says

November 2, 2015 at 3:22 am

It´s strange when you love something that so many people just fear to death. I don’t know, but once I heard that when you treat someone that loves something you fear, it can help to “defeat” your fear.

ibrahim says

October 4, 2015 at 7:53 pm

Awesome post but here’s my question, do you think it’s possible to overcome snake phobia if the options you’ve given on how to treat it are unavailable in your vicinity?

Torean Williams says

September 16, 2015 at 2:44 pm

That snake is scary.

Sabrina says

August 3, 2015 at 8:43 pm

I’m currently writing an informative essay and I need the date of when you published this post about Ophidiophobia for citation. Thank you.

August 14, 2015 at 9:35 am

This article was first published 30 December and has been updated a few times since then. Have a great weekend.

November 5, 2015 at 9:26 pm

Hi I am doing an essay.

July 3, 2015 at 5:54 pm

I’m not afraid of snakes surprisingly. When I was a kid, my friends and I would go hunting for garden snakes. It’s funny because I have a fear of spiders, roaches, centipedes, worms, caterpillars, and pitbulls.

November 21, 2014 at 8:35 pm

This helps a lot thank you so much and how you doin.

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SnakeSnuggles

Why Are People Afraid of Snakes? Causes, Symptoms & Treatment (2024)

By: Author Mutasim Sweileh

Posted on Last updated: March 13, 2024

This site is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through links.

why are people afraid of snakes

It can be so severe that it interferes with their life and sense of well-being. In this article, we’ll look at why people are afraid of snakes: its causes, symptoms, and treatments available to help those who struggle with an extreme fear like ophidiophobia.

Table Of Contents

Key Takeaways

Reasons for ophidiophobia (snake phobia), symptoms of snake phobia, how common is an intense fear of snakes, why do boys and girls respond differently to snakes, humans not born with fear of snakes but conditioned to fear potential threats, evolution of snake phobia, overcoming fear of snakes, how can i decrease my fear of snakes, what is the difference between ophidiophobia and herpetophobia, are snakes dangerous to humans, what are the best ways to interact with snakes, are snakes beneficial to the environment.

  • Ophidiophobia affects a significant number of adults and teens.
  • Boys tend to be more fearful of snakes than girls.
  • Fear of snakes is an instinctive reaction, not solely a learned behavior.
  • Symptoms of ophidiophobia include anxiety, panic, avoidance, and physical reactions when encountering snakes.

Reasons for Ophidiophobia (Snake Phobia)

Common symptoms are avoidance, panic when seeing or hearing snakes , as well as physical symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, trembling, and urges to run away or hide. Diagnosis is based on the severity of these symptoms along with how much they interfere with daily life activities, lasting for over 6 months .

Treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and hypnotherapy can help those suffering from snake phobia by gradually exposing them to their fear stimulus – snakes, both venomous and nonvenomous alike.

Although there is no definitive prevention method available, people can manage early signs before more severe anxiety develops through breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, meditation, yoga, etc.

Overcoming this fear takes time, patience, support, and understanding that most North American species are harmless. It is also important to positively experience handling snakes, which helps erase years worth of conditioned fear.

All of these steps lead up towards respecting, but not necessarily loving, these animals.

Symptoms of Snake Phobia

Specific phobias can lead people down paths that affect their daily lives. People suffering from ophidiophobia may have difficulty going outside for fear they’ll come across one unexpectedly. The physical effects on the body are real – trembling hands, racing heart rate – all because someone saw something harmless but feared it due to conditioned responses over time.

Treatment options exist, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy, which allow patients small successes in overcoming fears until eventually, those fears no longer control them.

How Common is an Intense Fear of Snakes

Diagnosis is based on symptoms interfering with life for more than six months. Treatments range from cognitive-behavioral therapy to exposure therapy or hypnotherapy, including anti-anxiety medications that may help manage the severe symptoms associated with ophidiophobia.

Rhesus monkeys have been observed exhibiting similar behaviors when shown a stick or a rattlesnake, indicating an innate understanding of potential danger from some species of snakes. However, this does not necessarily mean people are born afraid. Rather, it could be argued that we learn our fears early in life, which can lead to both specific phobias and generalized fear responses depending on the individual’s experience over time.

With graduated exposure therapies along with support techniques like breathing exercises, yoga practice, muscle relaxation, and even meditation, overcoming this powerful fear response can become achievable given enough patience and effort.

Positive experiences handling harmless North American species gently by others who remain calm during these encounters make conquering your own ophidiophobia possible without forcing yourself into loving them.

Why Do Boys and Girls Respond Differently to Snakes

Girls tend to be less fearful when it comes to venomous species and are better at recognizing if a snake poses no threat or is not interested in them. In contrast, boys may react out of panic even when there isn’t any immediate danger from a bite or other harm by the snake’s tail.

Studies conducted on children between 3-6 years old also showed differences between genders. One girl expressed curiosity instead of fear towards her first encounter with a live reptile, while another was frozen with terror for many minutes afterward! It appears gender can play an important role in developing ophidiophobia (snake phobia).

With proper guidance from parents, however, both genders can learn valuable lessons about respecting these creatures without having their natural fears spiral into irrational panic attacks due to their presence near them.

Humans Not Born With Fear of Snakes but Conditioned to Fear Potential Threats

Snake fears are categorized as anxiety disorders – specific fears that can cause panic when encountered. It is believed humans evolved the ability to detect the snake quickly due to its potential for danger, even though babies are unafraid before they learn their fear from adults or traumatic experiences.

While anti-anxiety medications can help symptoms and cognitive behavioral therapy can assist in replacing negative thoughts about a snake with positive ones, exposure therapy is slowly exposing oneself to the idea of snakes until an individual feels comfortable enough around them has also proven successful in overcoming this particular fear.

Although there is no known prevention against developing ophidiophobia, understanding that most North American species of snakes pose little risk helps people gain control over their irrational anxieties so they don’t needlessly live in fear any longer.

Evolution of Snake Phobia

The prevalence of snake phobias shows that it is a widespread fear. 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 5 teens suffer from ophidiophobia or snake phobia. This suggests it is an instinctive reaction rather than simply learned behavior due to cultural beliefs or traumatic experiences alone.

Humans are predisposed towards developing such fears easily when presented with common dangers like snakes.

The evolution of this particular type of anxiety can be seen through its effects on individuals who face difficulty managing even early symptoms. They must seek treatment if these symptoms interfere with everyday life activities.

This highlights how important overcoming such fears can be for one’s overall wellbeing.

Overcoming Fear of Snakes

Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps unlearn negative thoughts, while hypnotherapy reduces fear through a trance-like state.

Gradually expose yourself to the idea of snakes: first through cartoon images and then through real-life encounters. Seek out positive experiences handling them, and seeing others do it calmly also eases anxiety.

Numeric list for visualizing the process:

  • Understand snakes are harmless.
  • Unlearn negative thoughts with cognitive-behavioral therapy or hypnotherapy.
  • Gradual exposure from cartoons to real-life situations.
  • Have positive experiences interacting with and watching others handle snakes safely .
  • Emphasize respect instead of forcing love and take back control in daily life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Decrease your fear of snakes by using cognitive-behavioral therapy to unlearn negative thoughts, hypnotherapy for a focused trance-like state, graduated exposure therapy from cartoons to real life, and understanding that they are harmless.

Ophidiophobia is the fear of snakes specifically, while herpetophobia encompasses a broader fear of reptiles and amphibians. Both phobias cause anxiety when confronted with or thinking about these creatures, but ophidiophobia is often more severe.

Symptoms include avoidance, panic attacks, and physical reactions like trembling or dizziness. Treatment includes cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure therapy to reduce fears over time.

Snakes are generally not dangerous to humans, unless provoked. Most North American species are harmless and will only bite if threatened or disturbed. Fear of snakes is often learned in childhood and can be unlearned with patience, support, understanding, and positive experiences handling them.

Interacting with snakes can be achieved through exposure therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and hypnotherapy. Gradually expose yourself to the idea of snakes in a safe environment for the best results.

Yes, snakes are beneficial to the environment as they keep pest populations in check and can help maintain ecological balance. They also provide food for other animals and even play a role in seed dispersal.

Ultimately, ophidiophobia or snake phobia is a common phenomenon and is deeply ingrained in human nature. People have been conditioned to fear potential threats, and snakes often fall into this category.

It is difficult to tackle this intense fear, but it is possible to overcome it with the right treatment and support. By slowly exposing yourself to the idea of snakes, understanding that most snake species are harmless, and having positive experiences handling snakes, you can gradually unlearn your fear and develop a sense of respect towards these creatures.

With patience and dedication, you can conquer your ophidiophobia and discover a newfound appreciation for snakes.

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Ophidiophobia: Fear of Snakes

  • Ophidiophobia: Fear of Snakes

Ophidiophobia is an intense and irrational fear of snakes . It is a common phobia that can cause significant distress and avoidance behaviours in individuals, impacting their daily lives and interactions with the natural environment.

What is Ophidiophobia

  • Ophidiophobia is the fear or phobia of snakes.
  • It is a specific phobia characterized by excessive and irrational fear or anxiety when encountering snakes.
  • Common symptoms include panic attacks, sweating, trembling, and avoidance behaviors.
  • Ophidiophobia can be caused by evolutionary factors, traumatic experiences, or cultural influences.
  • Treatment options for ophidiophobia include therapy, exposure techniques, and cognitive-behavioral interventions.
Ophidiophobia Definition "Ophidiophobia is a specific phobia characterized by an intense and irrational phobia or fear of snakes "

Ophidiophobia (Fear of Snakes): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment - Drlogy

Ophidiophobia Symptoms

Emotionally and physically, the response to Ophidiophobia is similar to that of any other phobia, with common symptoms including:

Here are the overall Ophidiophobia symptoms.

  • Excessive fear or anxiety when encountering snakes
  • Panic attacks or heightened anxiety in the presence or anticipation of snakes
  • Rapid heartbeat, sweating, and trembling when near snakes
  • Avoidance of snakes or snake-related situations
  • Anticipatory anxiety and feelings of dread before encounters with snakes
  • Hypervigilance and heightened awareness of snake presence
  • Intrusive thoughts or intrusive images related to snakes
  • Negative beliefs or thoughts about snakes
  • Physical symptoms such as nausea, dry mouth, and increased muscle tension
Common Ophidiophobia symptoms include intense fear or anxiety in response to seeing snakes around them.

What Causes Ophidiophobia

Here are some of the main causes of Ophidiophobia.

  • Evolutionary factors : Humans may have developed a fear of snakes as a survival mechanism due to their potential threat in the ancestral environment.
  • Traumatic experiences : Negative encounters or traumatic events involving snakes, such as bites or witnessing snake-related incidents, can contribute to the development of ophidiophobia.
  • Cultural influences : Cultural beliefs, myths, and media portrayal of snakes as dangerous or evil creatures can contribute to the development or reinforcement of ophidiophobia.
  • Learned behaviour : Observing others expressing fear or having negative experiences with snakes can influence the development of ophidiophobia.
  • Genetic predisposition : Some research suggests that a genetic predisposition or family history of anxiety disorders may contribute to the development of specific phobias, including ophidiophobia.
Causes of Ophidiophobia can be attributed to traumatic experiences, cultural influences, evolutionary factors, Learned behaviour and Genetic predisposition .

Ophidiophobia Complications

Ophidiophobia complications can involve the development of other phobias and anxiety disorders, leading to a significant impact on daily life and well-being.

Breakdown of Complications:

  • Restricted activities : Approximately 40% of individuals with ophidiophobia may limit their participation in outdoor activities, hiking, or nature-related events due to fear of encountering snakes
  • Avoidance behaviours : Around 55% of people with ophidiophobia often leads to avoidance of environments where snakes might be present, such as gardens, parks, or wilderness areas.
  • Panic or anxiety attacks : 60% of individuals face sudden and intense episodes of panic or anxiety that can occur when faced with snakes or even at the thought of encountering them. 
  • Social and emotional impact : Ophidiophobia can impact social interactions, relationships, and job opportunities that involve exposure to snakes, affecting approximately 65% of individuals.
  • Emotional distress and impairment : Ophidiophobia can cause significant emotional distress, impair daily functioning, and lead to a diminished quality of life for approximately 45% of those affected.
Please note that the percentages mentioned represent approximate resemblances between Ophidiophobia and the listed complications, and individual experiences may vary.

Similar to Other Phobias Like Ophidiophobia

Here is a detailed breakdown of similar other phobias like Ophidiophobia.

Please note that the percentages provided represent approximate resemblances between Ophidiophobia and the mentioned phobias, and individual experiences may vary.

Ophidiophobia Diagnosis

Here are some of the Ophidiophobia diagnoses that can be used for your health.

  • Clinical interview and assessment by a mental health professional.
  • Evaluation of specific phobia criteria from diagnostic manuals (e.g., DSM-5).
  • Discussion of fear and avoidance patterns related to snakes.
  • Ruling out other possible causes of the symptoms.
  • Consideration of the impact of ophidiophobia on daily functioning and well-being.

Ophidiophobia Treatment

Ophidiophobia treatment involves various therapeutic approaches aimed at reducing fear and anxiety related to the fear of snakes. Here are some of the treatments.

  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is to identify and challenge irrational thoughts and beliefs about snakes.
  • Gradual Exposure Therapy gradually and safely exposes the individual to snakes, starting with less anxiety-provoking situations.
  • Relaxation Techniques such as deep breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation to manage anxiety symptoms.
  • Virtual Reality Therapy to simulate snake encounters in a controlled environment.
  • Medications (such as anti-anxiety or beta-blocker medications) may be prescribed in some cases to help manage anxiety symptoms.
It is crucial to consult a qualified mental health professional to assess the severity of Ophidiophobia and create an individualized treatment plan.

5 Best Ophidiophobia Therapy Guide

Here's a brief guide to different therapies used in the treatment of Ophidiophobia to overcome the fear of snakes.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT):

  • Identify and challenge irrational thoughts and beliefs about snakes.
  • Learn coping skills and relaxation techniques to manage anxiety.
  • Gradually expose oneself to snakes in a controlled and safe manner.
  • Address underlying fears and core beliefs related to snakes.
  • Develop strategies to prevent relapse and maintain progress.

Exposure Therapy:

  • Gradually expose oneself to snakes, starting with less anxiety-provoking situations.
  • Create a fear hierarchy and systematically confront feared situations.
  • Practice relaxation techniques during exposure to managing anxiety.
  • Receive support and guidance from a therapist throughout the exposure process.
  • Reinforce positive experiences and successes during exposures.

Virtual Reality Therapy:

  • Utilize virtual reality technology to simulate snake encounters in a controlled environment.
  • Gradually increase the intensity of virtual snake exposures based on individual comfort levels.
  • Practice coping skills and relaxation techniques while engaging with virtual snakes.
  • Receive guidance and support from a therapist trained in virtual reality exposure therapy.
  • Provide a safe and controlled space for exposure to snakes without real-world risks.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR):

  • Cultivate present-moment awareness to reduce anxiety and fear responses.
  • Practice meditation and breathing exercises to enhance relaxation and focus.
  • Develop non-judgmental acceptance of fear and anxiety related to snakes.
  • Utilize mindfulness techniques to observe and regulate emotions during exposure to snakes.
  • Enhance overall well-being and resilience through regular mindfulness practice.

Support Groups:

  • Connect with others who share similar fears and experiences with snakes.
  • Share personal stories, challenges, and coping strategies in a supportive environment.
  • Receive encouragement and validation from group members.
  • Learn from others' successes and setbacks in overcoming ophidiophobia.
  • Gain a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation.
Please note that these are simplified explanations, and it's important to consult a qualified mental health professional for a comprehensive understanding of these therapies and their application to Ophidiophobia.

Ophidiophobia Life Style Changes

Making lifestyle changes can be beneficial in managing Ophidiophobia, helping individuals to cope better with their fear. Here are some of them:

  • Education and information : Learn about snakes, their behavior, and their habitats. Understanding more about snakes can help dispel myths and misconceptions, reducing fear.
  • Exposure therapy : Gradually expose yourself to snakes in controlled environments, such as through pictures, videos, or visiting reptile exhibits, to desensitize the fear response.
  • Physical activity and relaxation techniques : Engage in regular exercise or physical activities to reduce overall anxiety levels. Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to manage anxiety symptoms.
  • Support system : Seek support from friends, family, or support groups who understand and can provide encouragement and reassurance during the process of overcoming ophidiophobia.
  • Positive self-talk and visualization : Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations and visualize yourself confidently handling snake-related situations. Focus on building self-confidence and challenging irrational beliefs.
It's important to note that while lifestyle changes can be helpful, they should be implemented in conjunction with appropriate therapy and guidance from a mental health professional to ensure a comprehensive approach to managing Ophidiophobia

Ophidiophobia Diet and Healthy Foods

Here's an example of t for Ophidiophobia and a healthy diet according to dietitians:

Please note that while a healthy diet can support overall well-being, it is not a standalone treatment for phobias. It is important to seek professional help and follow appropriate therapy for overcoming ophidiophobia.

5 Best Daily Routine Habits For Overcoming Ophidiophobia

Here are 5 best daily routine habits to help overcome Ophidiophobia.

Deep Breathing Exercises:

  • Time: Morning and evening
  • Practice deep, slow breaths to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.

Visualization Techniques:

  • Time: Throughout the day
  • Imagine positive scenarios involving snakes and visualize yourself feeling calm and in control.

Self-Exposure Exercises:

  • Time: Afternoon
  • Start with looking at pictures of snakes, then gradually progress to videos and eventually real-life encounters (under professional guidance).

Affirmations and Positive Self-Talk:

  • Time: Anytime needed
  • Repeat positive statements about snakes, such as "I am safe, and I can handle this," to challenge fearful thoughts.

Relaxation Activities:

  • Time: Evening
  • Engage in relaxing activities like meditation, yoga, or listening to calming music to unwind and reduce overall stress levels.
Please note that the suggested times are flexible and can be adjusted to fit your schedule. Consistency and persistence in incorporating these habits can contribute to the process of overcoming Ophidiophobia.

Ophidiophobia Consultant, Specialist Doctors, or Therapist

Here are Ophidiophobia Consultants, Specialist Doctors, or Therapists who can help you to overcoming fear.

When seeking help for Ophidiophobia, it is recommended to consult with a Clinical Psychologist who specializes in anxiety disorders and phobias related to phobias. Their expertise can provide effective treatment and support in overcoming Ophidiophobia or overcoming fear.

7 Interesting Facts of Ophidiophobia

Here are 7 Interesting Facts About Ophidiophobia.

  • Ophidiophobia, or the fear of snakes, is one of the most common specific phobias globally.
  • The fear of snakes may have evolutionary roots, as humans and primates historically needed to be cautious of venomous snakes for survival.
  • Cultural beliefs and representations of snakes as dangerous or evil creatures can contribute to the development or reinforcement of ophidiophobia.
  • Many well-known individuals, including celebrities, suffer from ophidiophobia. For example, singer Justin Timberlake and actress Scarlett Johansson have openly admitted their fear of snakes.
  • Ophidiophobia exists across various cultures and geographic locations, highlighting its prevalence and impact.
  • Virtual reality therapy has emerged as a promising treatment approach for ophidiophobia, allowing individuals to confront their fear in a controlled and safe environment.
  • Ophidiophobia can significantly affect a person's daily life, limiting their ability to enjoy outdoor activities, travel, or engage in professions that involve exposure to snakes.

5 Common Myths vs Facts About Ophidiophobia

Here are 5 common Myths vs Facts About Ophidiophobia or Fear of Snakes.

Conclusion In conclusion, Ophidiophobia is an extreme fear of snakes that can lead to significant distress and avoidance behaviors . Treatment options include therapies like CBT and exposure therapy, along with medication in some cases, to help individuals overcome their fear and improve their quality of life.
  • Ophidiophobia - Wikipedia [ 1 ].
  • Faster detection of snake and spider phobia - NIH [ 2 ].

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my phobia is snakes essay

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Ultimate Guide to Overcoming Ophidiophobia

[the fear of snakes].

By: Jennifer Dubose

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Ophidiophobia: the fear of snakes

I think of snakes ‘Kaa’ from the Jungle Book leaps out at me. He’s a cartoon character in a children’s movie, yet terrifying and menacing. Or I think about Cobra’s, Python’s, and Boa Constrictors—all snakes with the power to be lethal. There are also snakes that are harmless to humans, such as Garter snakes. However, no snake is harmless for those suffering from ophidiophobia—just a glimpse of any snake can elicit sheer terror.

Ophidiophobia  (pronounced [ Oh-fid-ee-oh foh-bee-uh ]) can be defined as the abnormal or irrational fear of snakes. Though not specifically designated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), Ophidiophobia is usually grouped under diagnosis F40.218—Other Animal Type Phobia.

If you’re afraid of snakes, guess what? You’re not alone. It is one of the most common phobias.

  • According to  YouGov , 64% of American adults are afraid of snakes, and 32% fall into the ‘very afraid’ category
  • YouGov also noted that 79% of adults 65 and older were afraid of snakes.
  • A Gallup Poll  showed that 62% of the women in their study were afraid of snakes compared to only 38% of men

Why Are People Afraid of Snakes?

An innate fear of snakes.

The Max Planck Institute in Germany hypothesized that we are born with an innate fear of the slithering creatures. It makes sense, right?

They are  dangerous & one could reasonably think that it’s hardwired into our genetics to shy away from something potentially harmful.  Their study  showed that a baby’s eyes dilate more at the sight of snakes versus something more tranquil such as a flower. Dilation of the eyes can be closely associated with stress, AKA fear. Boom. Theory proven.

Well, hold on a second—not all experts agree. Rutgers University conducted  another study  where infants under a year old watched videos of snakes who either spoke with either a scary voice or a happy one. Children paid more attention to the snakes with the fearful voice and when startled  did not show  accelerated heart rates. They were  not  scared. They were actually quite interested in snakes. This interest combined with an innate ability to quickly sense a snake’s movement could be the factor leading to fear.

Conditioned to be Afraid

Nervous Girl Holding Snake

In all likelihood, the ability to quickly spot a snake’s movement combined with curiosity plays a role. For example, a child playing outside sees a snake and becomes infatuated with it and reaches out to touch the creature. The snake, in an effort to protect itself, hisses at the child or even lashes out and manages to bite. One negative situation such as this can be painful and fear-inducing–forever associating a snake with fear.

Perhaps you grew up in a region of the world where there are lethal snakes. In this scenario, your parents likely will show fear in response to the sight of a snake and snatch you away. You would learn that you too should fear them. You would be taught to run away if you saw snakes because they had the potential to seriously harm you.

Symptoms of Ophidiophobia

So how do you know if you have a rational fear of snakes, or an abnormal response? Here are some symptoms:

  • The inability to participate in outdoor activities for fear of coming across a snake
  • The inability to enter a pet store or zoo for fear of seeing a snake
  • Intense fear and dread simply coming across a photo of a snake, or seeing one in a movie
  • Physical symptoms such as increased heart-rate, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea and vomiting, and full-blown panic attacks can be indicators

Snakes in the Movies

Snakes are usually portrayed in movies as terrifying and dangerous creatures, even in the children’s movie I mentioned earlier, The Jungle Book. Portraying snakes as creatures to be afraid can propagate fear to the general public. Other movies featuring characters afraid of or impacted by snakes include:

  • Indiana Jones: Jones, shown in the video above, falls into a train car full of snakes as a teenager and is tortured with a fear of them from there on out.
  • Snakes on a Plane: Someone releases snakes on a plane with the intent to kill a witness testifying against the mob. A fight to kill the snakes ensues.
  • Anaconda: A film crew is looking for a forgotten Amazonian Tribe in the depths of the jungle. The stumble upon someone who agrees to help them, but he’s actually in search of a rare anaconda worth a fortune. But the snake begins to pick them off, one-by-one.
  • Python: a Military plane crashes in a city where a killer python goes on a killing spree.

Snakes in the News

Movies aren’t the only media outlet depicting snakes in a fearful manner. Snake attacks are a fact of life, and the more newsworthy occurrences are covered in the media. To highlight just a few: In October 2017 in Indonesia,  a giant python  nearly bit off the arm of a security guard trying to remove it from a roadway. It was captured and killed, and  measured over 25 feet long .

A  19 year-old snake wrangler  in Australia was recently bitten by his pet Inland Taipan, one of the most venomous snakes in the world. He was rushed to the hospital and remains there in serious condition, battling the snake venom in the intensive care unit.

A  man in North Carolina  accidentally encountered some Copperhead snakes that were mating. His interruption caused hem to strike out, biting him repeatedly. His gut reaction was to kill them before calling 911 to care for his wounds.

Ophidiophobia Treatment 

Self-help options .

So how do you overcome an extreme fear of snakes? Here are some suggestions:

Medical Symbol with Snakes in it

1. Do your research: learn what snakes in your area may be hazardous — learn what they look like, their temperament, and where they are typically found. Stay away from them. But also learn about the snakes that are harmless and that you shouldn’t fear contact with.

2. Learn first aid so that if you were to encounter a snake, you are armed with the knowledge of how to treat a bite. Recognize that medicine is advanced and the majority of the time snake bites are completely treatable.

3. Expose yourself to snakes that are harmless. Look at photos of them until you no longer recoil in fear. Go to a pet store and look at them in enclosed spaces where they cannot touch you. Go to an exhibit at a zoo.

4. Some zoos offer interactive programs where you can touch or hold a snake under supervision of a trained professional. You can work up to approaching the object of your fear, and eventually simply touch it.

Professional Treatment

For more advanced treatment for Ophidiophobia, counseling is the best option to get personalized treatment. You should be able to find a qualified professional by searching online.

Alternatively, you can choose online therapy if you prefer to meet with a counselor from the privacy of your own home.

Checkout our other posts on phobias:

Fear of clowns - coulrophobia

*Disclaimer: Please know that there are dangerous and venomous snakes found worldwide. It is very rare to be bitten or hurt by a snake. However, a healthy fear of snakes and the knowledge that you should give them space is recommended. This article is addressing an unhealthy, abnormal fear of snakes.

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COMMENTS

  1. Ophidiophobia (Fear of Snakes)

    Snakes can be harmful to people, and stories often depict snakes as threatening and dangerous. So, a generalized fear of snakes is very common. One in 10 American adults and 1 in 5 teenagers will deal with a specific phobia disorder at some point in their lives, and ophidiophobia is one of the most common specific phobias.

  2. The Fear of Snakes, or Ophidiophobia

    Treatment. Ophidiophobia or ophiophobia is the fear of snakes. It is possibly the most common subcategory of herpetophobia, the fear of reptiles. Some researchers believe phobias related to reptiles (and snakes specifically) may be evolutionary, developed by our ancestors as a survival mechanism. However, this theory would not explain why snake ...

  3. Fear of Snakes: Understanding Ophidiophobia

    Abstract: Fear of snakes, also known as ophidiophobia, is a common and often debilitating phobia. This blog post aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the fear of snakes, its psychological meaning, and ways to overcome it. The post is structured with ten main headings, each with three subheadings, and seven points in each subheading.

  4. Why Are We Afraid of Snakes and How Do We Overcome That Fear?

    There is some evidence suggesting humans have a genetic predisposition to easily learn a fear of snakes at a young age, and while experimenting on kids is generally frowned upon, one study testing fear conditioning in rhesus monkeys sheds some light on the matter. When Chris took a field herpetology class he had a gut-wrenching fear of snakes.

  5. Ophidiophobia: Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment

    A fear of snakes, or ophidiophobia, is a common phobia in which a person finds it difficult to think about, discuss, or encounter a snake. The fear can result in changed routines or a person being ...

  6. What to Know About Ophidiophobia (Fear of Snakes)

    A fear of snakes is common, but for some this fear causes significant distress or impairment. ... Fear the serpent: A psychometric study of snake phobia. Psychiatry research, 242, 163-168. Zsido, A. N. (2017). The spider and the snake-A psychometric study of two phobias and insights from the Hungarian validation. Psychiatry research, 257, 61-66.

  7. Understanding Ophidiophobia: Snake Phobia

    Treatment. Snake phobia or ophidiophobia is an extreme fear of snakes. Many people are afraid of snakes, but those with ophidiophobia have an extreme and irrational amount of fear. Ophidiophobia is sometimes also called ophiophobia. Ophidiophobia may occur alone or along with a fear of reptiles, which is called herpetophobia .

  8. What to Know About Ophidiophobia (Fear of Snakes)

    Increased heart rate. Increased blood pressure. ‌Tremors. You have small or severe shaking or small or severe movements in one or more parts of your body. ‌Paresthesia, a burning or prickling ...

  9. Ophidiophobia: Understanding the Fear of Snakes

    Ophidiophobia refers to an atypical and illogical fear of snakes that falls under the larger category of herpetophobia or the fear of reptiles. Ophidiophobia is fairly common and can range in severity, as some individuals may only be mildly afraid, while others may possess a severe and incapacitating fear. A minor phobia might encompass a fear ...

  10. Ophidiophobia

    Ophidiophobia. The Punishment of Loki by J. Doyle Penrose. Ophidiophobia (or ophiophobia) is fear of snakes. It is sometimes called by the more general term herpetophobia, fear of reptiles. The word comes from the Greek words "ophis" ( ὄφις ), snake, and "phobia" ( φοβία) meaning fear. [1]

  11. The Fear Of Snakes : The Fear Of Snakes

    A phobia is an intense fear of something that, in reality, poses little or no actual danger. Common phobias and fears include closed-in places, heights, highway driving, flying insects, snakes, and needles. However, we can develop phobias of virtually anything. Most phobias develop in childhood, but they can also develop in adults. If you

  12. What is Ophidiophobia?

    Ophidiophobia is a specific phobia characterised by an extreme and overwhelming fear of snakes. Phobias, including ophidiophobia, are a type of anxiety disorder. Although many people have a fear of snakes, to be categorised as a phobia, the fear must be extreme and interfere with your day-to-day life, your overall wellbeing or your sense of safety.

  13. Fear of Snakes Phobia

    The fear of snakes or Ophidiophobia is the second most common phobia in the world. Nearly 1/3 rd of adult humans are believed to have an intense fear of snakes. Most people with Ophidiophobia can lead normal lives as they do not have to confront the object of their fears under normal circumstances. However, for people with severe Ophidiophobia ...

  14. Why Are People Afraid of Snakes? Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

    Snake phobia, or ophidiophobia, is an anxiety disorder that affects 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 5 teens, making it one of the more common phobias. Common symptoms are avoidance, panic when seeing or hearing snakes, as well as physical symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, trembling, and urges to run away or hide. Diagnosis is based on the severity of ...

  15. Ophidiophobia (Fear of Snakes): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

    It is a specific phobia characterized by excessive and irrational fear or anxiety when encountering snakes. Common symptoms include panic attacks, sweating, trembling, and avoidance behaviors. Ophidiophobia can be caused by evolutionary factors, traumatic experiences, or cultural influences. Treatment options for ophidiophobia include therapy ...

  16. Ophidiophobia

    Ophidiophobia, or the extreme fear of snakes, is the second most commonly reported phobia by adult humans (with arachnophobia, the fear of spiders, being number one). It is estimated that nearly ...

  17. How to Get Over the Fear of Snakes (Ophidiophobia)

    A fight to kill the snakes ensues. Anaconda: A film crew is looking for a forgotten Amazonian Tribe in the depths of the jungle. The stumble upon someone who agrees to help them, but he's actually in search of a rare anaconda worth a fortune. But the snake begins to pick them off, one-by-one. Python: a Military plane crashes in a city where a ...

  18. My Ophidiophobia

    My Ophidiophobia - Fear. I do not believe that I've never ever had a time in my life when I was not afraid of snakes. To me there is nothing more freighting than this crawling, scaly, unblinking reptile that male has actually abhorred considering that the start of time. The subfield that is primarily gotten in touch with fear is ...

  19. Phobias FAQ

    A phobia is an overwhelming and debilitating fear of an object or situation. Some people suffer from a phobia of snakes, frogs or toads. It is important to note that this is distinct from a dislike or mild fear, but rather a type of anxiety disorder with real consequences for the person affected. People with phobias might be able to avoid the ...

  20. Student Essay: Biggest fears

    Personally, I am afraid of three things. My top fears are heights, darkness and public speaking. My first fear is heights. Whenever I'm in a really high place, I get dizzy and uncomfortable. I ...

  21. Essay about My Biggest Fear

    Words: 747. Pages: 2. This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Papers provided by EduBirdie writers usually outdo students' samples. Cite This Essay. Download. Ever since I was young, my biggest fear has always been heights, I have other fears too, but none of them triggers me like this one.

  22. My fear to snakes Free Essays

    Fear usually develops during ones childhood. Fear also comes in a variety of common things such as Snakephobia ( fear of snakes) or Hypsiphobia ( fear of heights) but there are uncommon fears as well such as Hadephobia ( fear of hell) or Heliophobia ( fear of the sun). My biggest fear is actually very common called Coulrophobia ( fear of clowns)