All about kinophobia

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

The fear of dogs in panic is called kinophobia. This mental disorder is characterized by obsessive fear, not amenable to self-control. Mild excitement gradually develops into a panic attack.

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

The following reasons contribute to the emergence of anxiety disorder.

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

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

• A traumatic situation occurs when an injury occurs on contact with an animal: from a slight scratch to a serious bite.
• Rogue Pack Attack on a person leaves a deep mark on the psyche.
• The development of this phobia can contribute to an inferiority complex caused by the lack of some qualities attributed to dogs, for example, loyalty and courage. Due to the recognition of one's own inferiority, fear is formed.

Those who have not always experienced real dog bites acquire a phobia. Some people, repeatedly bitten by dogs, did not develop any phobia. After that, a person may become afraid of large dogs, but fear does not lead to anxiety disorder.

Experts distinguish two types of kinophobia - true and false. A true phobia is characterized by an overwhelming horror when a person meets a dog. The person suffering from the disease may even fall into a stupor from uncontrollable fear. Fear comes in various forms:

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

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

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

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

Such people are characterized by the following psychotic symptoms:

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

In a person suffering from a phobia, when meeting an animal, the following somatic reaction can be observed:

• pallor of the skin;
• increased sweating;
• rush of blood to the head, distinct tinnitus;
• heart rhythm disorder;
• clear audibility of your own heartbeat;
• trembling in the arms and legs;
• muscle tension;
• dry throat;
• hoarseness of voice;
• nausea;
• stomach upset;
• intense thirst;
• increased urge to urinate;
• dizziness;
• migraine;
• changes in blood pressure;
• constriction of the chest;
• lack of oxygen, difficulty breathing.

With the disappearance of the object of fear, the symptomatology immediately disappears. Increased anxiety and nervousness are felt by people with severe phobias. The individual is under constant stress due to the fear of accidentally meeting the dog. The feeling of unjustified fear leads to insomnia, neuroses and general mental exhaustion.

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

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

Diagnostics is carried out according to the following parameters:

• identification of primary anxiety manifestations, physiological and psychological symptoms;
• the appearance of anxiety and panic attacks when colliding with a specific object and a specific situation;
• avoiding possible encounters with dogs;
• absence of other psychopathological disorders.

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

Homeopathy is also used to treat kinophobia.... She is able to rid a person of destructive emotions. The use of homeopathic remedies helps to soften the heat of fears and neutralize the resulting panic.

A lasting positive result is observed with long-term drug treatment. Medicines should be taken strictly as directed by the psychotherapist. He writes them out after a comprehensive examination and diagnosis of cinophobia. Medicines do not completely cure the disease, but acute symptoms are relieved.

To reduce anxiety and combat neurosis, the therapist may prescribe tranquilizers. Antidepressants help to avoid panic attacks. Sedatives used to get rid of insomnia, reduce the severity of mental reactions and deal with stress. It is not uncommon for a patient to become addicted to drugs.

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

Experts widely use the method of approaching the object of fear. The psychotherapist carefully corrects the patient's behavior, observing his reaction to the dog. The doctor develops the opposite view of the animal. The patient begins to look at him as an object that does not pose any threat to health and life.

Then comes the second method: drawing closer to fear itself. The distance is reduced gradually. First, they practice watching videos, studying the breeds and habits of the animal.This is followed by observation of the dog from the side. Then a person spends some time in the same room with a dog on a leash. After a certain number of sessions, it is allowed to pet the animal, and then take it out for a walk.

A psychotherapist may suggest taking advantage of the method of reincarnation. When meeting a dog, you need to imagine yourself as an object that does not arouse any interest in the dog. Then there is confidence that the dog will definitely not attack.

Many experts recommend purchasing a puppy.

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

First of all, a person suffering from a phobia needs to bring his nervous system back to normal. Respiratory gymnastics, relaxation, decoctions and tinctures of valerian, peony, motherwort help to get rid of unnecessary anxiety and stress, contribute to the development of control over your feelings. Has a positive effect on calming the nervous system carbohydrate diet.

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

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

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

Experts recommend following the following behavior pattern when meeting a dog:

• you cannot look the animal directly in the eyes, otherwise a direct look can serve as a signal for an attack;
• do not make any sudden movements, do not wave your hands, but behave calmly, demonstrate your friendliness with all kinds;
• you should not smile broadly, otherwise the animal may take a smile for a demonstration of fangs and attack a person;
• it is advisable to switch the dog's attention with a carefully thrown object that can be gnawed;
• in no case should you run away from a pack of dogs;
• in case of an obvious attempt to attack an aggressive dog, you need to try to neutralize it by kicking it on the nose.