About:
Ailurophobia is the irrational fear of cats. The meaning of the word comes from Greek origins. 'Ailouros' translates to cats and 'phobos', means to dread or to fear. The person with Ailurophobia cannot even bear the idea of being around a cat for any length of time and just the sight of one can cause them to panic. The most severe cases could even be triggered by just a picture of a cat.
Interesting Fact:
This phobia interestingly has several different names. Ailurophobia is also known as Gatophobia (Gato being the Spanish word for cat) and also Galeophobia. Galeo is another Greek word for cats.
Causes:
Fear of cats, like other animal phobias is usually learned at a young age from a parent, sibling or close friend. If a child watches a parent react in a fearful way from a cat such as pulling back in fear or screaming when seeing a cat, this will teach the child that cats are a danger to be avoided.
Some children might develop the fear from watching a cartoon or film that features a cat that they found scary. The phobia can also develop because a person might have been scratched and traumatized by the experience.
Another big reason someone can develop Ailurophobia is if they have a severe allergy to cats, and are thus fearful of the allergic reaction.
Cats can make a growling and hissing noise and look frightening when they are scared as they puff up. This might also be a trigger for the Ailurophobic.
Cats have also been demonized for generations. Many ancient folklore from several different cultures has cast cats as evil beings and witches' companions. Black cats are said to be bad luck. These preconceptions of cats can also feed into an Ailurophobic's fear, especially if they are particularly superstitious.
Some children might develop the fear from watching a cartoon or film that features a cat that they found scary. The phobia can also develop because a person might have been scratched and traumatized by the experience.
Another big reason someone can develop Ailurophobia is if they have a severe allergy to cats, and are thus fearful of the allergic reaction.
Cats can make a growling and hissing noise and look frightening when they are scared as they puff up. This might also be a trigger for the Ailurophobic.
Cats have also been demonized for generations. Many ancient folklore from several different cultures has cast cats as evil beings and witches' companions. Black cats are said to be bad luck. These preconceptions of cats can also feed into an Ailurophobic's fear, especially if they are particularly superstitious.
Symptoms:
A person afraid of cats will avoid being around or even seeing a cat at any cost. They often will scream and start running away if they come into contact with a cat. Some might even try to lash out at the cat if they feel particularly threatened. Their pulse will often race and breathing becomes rapid and inconsistent. They might feel a dry mouth and choking sensation. Some people experience a numbness or tingling feeling. They may even feel dizzy and faint if their panic is severe.
Symptoms can include:
People with Ailurophobia might get others to check for cats while they are out and about and may constantly look nervous when leaving the home.
Symptoms can include:
- Rapid heart rate
- Dizziness
- Hot or cold flashes
- Hysteria
- Chest pain
- Feeling of choking
- Fainting
- Trembling and/or sweating
- Numbness or tingling sensation
- Nausea or other gastrointestinal distress
People with Ailurophobia might get others to check for cats while they are out and about and may constantly look nervous when leaving the home.
Why You Should Get Treated:
Cats, like dogs, are the most popular pet for people to have. Not only this, but many urban areas have vast feral cat populations so cats are almost everywhere. They are very unpredictable, and can appear out of nowhere. Many friendly neighborhood pet cats will go up to any stranger and even follow them for cuddles! So by having a fear of cats, you will constantly be under stress and subconscious tension.
Leaving the home could always be a traumatic experience because of the fear of running into a cat and thus cause one to isolate and stay at home. This could then develop into Agoraphobia and keep a person away from friends and family, especially if they own a cat! This will affect mental health very negatively. Your life will become very limited if you are afraid of an animal that is almost everywhere!
Leaving the home could always be a traumatic experience because of the fear of running into a cat and thus cause one to isolate and stay at home. This could then develop into Agoraphobia and keep a person away from friends and family, especially if they own a cat! This will affect mental health very negatively. Your life will become very limited if you are afraid of an animal that is almost everywhere!
Why See The Phobia Guru For Treatment:
I am often able to help people break free of their phobia in just one session with the scientifically proven power of hypnotherapy, combined with NLP and an immersive therapy option. My therapy skillfully combines these techniques uniquely to create the most powerful, effective and quickest way to beat a phobia. You will be in the hands of a trained phobia expert who will help you transform your mind and liberate yourself from even the most extreme fears.
Hypnotherapy is so effective with phobias because it tackles the underlying trigger of the phobia within the subconscious. Once a person has access to their subconscious they can eliminate their conditioned response to the stimulus. So instead of treating just the symptoms, hypnotherapy can heal the source for a lasting result. The best part about hypnotherapy and phobias is that often it only takes one session to completely get over the phobia so you do not have to spend a lot of money on continual treatment. The NHS also promotes hypnotherapy as an effective treatment for phobias.
Hypnotherapy is so effective with phobias because it tackles the underlying trigger of the phobia within the subconscious. Once a person has access to their subconscious they can eliminate their conditioned response to the stimulus. So instead of treating just the symptoms, hypnotherapy can heal the source for a lasting result. The best part about hypnotherapy and phobias is that often it only takes one session to completely get over the phobia so you do not have to spend a lot of money on continual treatment. The NHS also promotes hypnotherapy as an effective treatment for phobias.