Ophidiophobia is a specific phobia of snakes. This intense fear is one of the most common, aside from height phobia. A person will experience irrational anxiety not only when he or she sees a snake in person, but also when seeing this animal on television or in a cage, to hearing stories about it. 

In addition, regardless of size, people can also experience panic attacks with small, non-venomous snakes. Their fear is often disproportionate to the actual threat. Thus, it is not uncommon for sufferers to avoid campgrounds, hiking, pet stores, or the homes of people who keep snakes as much as possible.

Symptoms

Anxiety and panic attacks when they feel danger or impending doom are the main symptoms in someone with a specific phobia, including snakes. They will prepare themselves to run and hide immediately, or even anticipate themselves not to get close to the situation. However, there are also other symptoms that can accompany it, such as the following:

• Increased heart rate

• Sweating

• Trembling

• Shortness of breath

• Chest pain

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Nausea

Causes

Until now, it is not believed what can actually cause a specific phobia, such as ophidiophobia. However, some experts believe that it is often caused by a combination of factors, such as:

• Genetics: a family history of a particular anxiety disorder or fear

• Learning the behavior of others: having family, close friends, or relatives who are afraid of snakes can lead one to develop similar anxieties

• Myths or beliefs: many bad stories about snakes are culturally related

• Traumatic experiences: having been bitten by a snake or seeing something scary related to snakes

Ophidiophobia can be caused by traumatic experiences

Diagnosis

There is no specific test to diagnose ophidiophobia, but the condition is determined based on an assessment. This includes what the symptoms are, how long they have been present, and whether they have interfered with daily life on an ongoing basis. Some criteria that must be met include:

• Persistent excessive or unreasonable fear of snakes, both when they are present and absent, for at least 6 months.

• Exposure to snakes causes immediate anxiety

• Realizing that the fear is not worth the threat

• Avoiding certain places or situations where snakes may be present

• Not associated with another mental health condition

Treatment

The type of treatment that people with ophidiophobia need to undergo depends on how much impact the fear has on one's life. But in general, the strategy is to undergo psychotherapy and/or combine it with the consumption of certain medications to relieve the symptoms (not cure them).

• Psychotherapy: cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, or technology-assisted therapy

• Medications: antidepressants, anti-anxiety, beta-blockers

One strategy for dealing with specific phobias is constant exposure.

Ophidiophobia is a specific type of phobia where a person feels an overwhelming fear of snakes. Not only when meeting one in person, but also when seeing it on television or thinking about it. Panic attacks will occur, even though the actual threat is not that severe. However, this is nothing to be ashamed of.
 

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