Abnormal fear of dogs is also known as cynophobia. It is categorized as a specific phobia, under anxiety disorders. Since dogs are popular pets, cynophobia sufferers face a large number of anxiety triggers.
Symptoms
Cynophobes experience anxiety at nothing more than thinking of a dog. Thus they feel compelled to avoid a number of places where "man's best-friend" might be. Consequently, the social interactions of cynophobes become limited. As is the case with any other type of phobia, the physical manifestations include sweating, heart palpitations, dizziness, difficulty breathing and other symptoms of anxiety.
Why Are People Scared of Dogs?
Many cynophobes are unaware of the underlying reasons behind their extreme fear of dogs. The phobia …show more content…
The approach entails applying relaxation techniques in combination with fear-inducing stimuli. Everything takes place in a controlled, safe environment. Wolpe's general procedure involves determining the individual's anxiety level, helping them engage in breathing exercises and finally urging them to visualize threatening stimuli.
Hoffman and Human (2003) employed systematic desensitization with 12 students exhibiting cyanophobic symptoms. The participants were asked to come in once a week, for an hour-long session, over the course of 5-7 weeks. After 8 months Hoffman and Human collected the final data, to conclude that in 75% of the patients cynophobia symptoms had been significantly reduced.
Self-Help Treatment Using Systematic Desensitization
Engaging in a therapeutic process, with the help of a licensed psychologist is always recommended. Nevertheless, you can try the following visualization techniques on your own, provided that safety is strictly observed. Ask a friend who is comfortable with dogs to assist throughout the process:
1. Try to come up with various situations that give you dog-related anxiety. Be as specific as you can in describing the scenarios, the environment where they would take place,
Symptoms
Cynophobes experience anxiety at nothing more than thinking of a dog. Thus they feel compelled to avoid a number of places where "man's best-friend" might be. Consequently, the social interactions of cynophobes become limited. As is the case with any other type of phobia, the physical manifestations include sweating, heart palpitations, dizziness, difficulty breathing and other symptoms of anxiety.
Why Are People Scared of Dogs?
Many cynophobes are unaware of the underlying reasons behind their extreme fear of dogs. The phobia …show more content…
The approach entails applying relaxation techniques in combination with fear-inducing stimuli. Everything takes place in a controlled, safe environment. Wolpe's general procedure involves determining the individual's anxiety level, helping them engage in breathing exercises and finally urging them to visualize threatening stimuli.
Hoffman and Human (2003) employed systematic desensitization with 12 students exhibiting cyanophobic symptoms. The participants were asked to come in once a week, for an hour-long session, over the course of 5-7 weeks. After 8 months Hoffman and Human collected the final data, to conclude that in 75% of the patients cynophobia symptoms had been significantly reduced.
Self-Help Treatment Using Systematic Desensitization
Engaging in a therapeutic process, with the help of a licensed psychologist is always recommended. Nevertheless, you can try the following visualization techniques on your own, provided that safety is strictly observed. Ask a friend who is comfortable with dogs to assist throughout the process:
1. Try to come up with various situations that give you dog-related anxiety. Be as specific as you can in describing the scenarios, the environment where they would take place,