Understanding Ornithophobia (Fear of Birds)

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsDiagnosisCausesTreatmentCopingFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Causes

Treatment

Coping

Frequently Asked Questions

Ornithophobia is the fear of birds, and it can take many forms.Some people fear only birds of prey, while others are afraid of household pets like parakeets.

A central feature of any phobia includes that a person is persistently afraid of the object or situation, even if it is not an immediate threat.

Birds are present throughout populated areas of the world, making it hard to go through an entire day without a single encounter. Therefore, it is not uncommon for those with ornithophobia to gradually restrict their activities. For example, you may avoid outdoor activities. You may even becomeagoraphobic, or afraid to leave your house for fear of confronting a bird.

Symptoms of Ornithophobia

Like many specificphobias, the symptoms of ornithophobia vary according to its severity.You might fear only large birds or only wild birds. You might be afraid of specimens that have undergone taxidermy, such as those in natural history museums. You may fear all representations of birds, including photos.

When forced to confront a bird, you might shake, cry, freeze in place, run away, or attempt to hide.In addition, you will likely experience common signs of a phobia which include:

You might also experienceanticipatory anxietyin the days before a likely confrontation with birds. While you don’t need to have panic disorder in order to have a specific phobia, you may find that the feared object or situation could trigger a panic attack.

The symptoms ofpanic attacksinclude extreme fear, chest-tightening, chills, dizziness, nausea, and more. Panic attacks usually subside on their own, but if you find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms and are concerned, don’t hesitate to reach out to a health care professional who will be able to address your situation.

Anatidaephobia: A Fear of Ducks

Diagnosis of Ornithophobia

The fifth edition of the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition” (DSM-5) has criteria used to diagnose specific phobias like ornithophobia. These are:

The DSM also notes that individuals with an animal phobia tend to experience panic-related symptoms upon exposure to the animal, or even when they anticipate that they could be exposed to the animal.

Though a person could have both panic disorder and ornithophobia, you can also be diagnosed with ornithophobia without having panic disorder.

Causes of the Fear of Birds

Like mostanimal phobias, the most common cause of ornithophobia is a negative encounter with the feared animal.Many birds can be somewhat aggressive in hunting for food, and it’s not uncommon for people to have unpleasant run-ins with pigeons or seagulls, for instance.

Experts find that you don’t have to experience the negative encounter directly.If your parents were afraid of birds, for example, this could be enough to trigger a phobia as well through a learned response.

If phobias run in your family, it’s more likely that you will develop one. Studies have found that phobias and other mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and panic disorder have genetic influences.

Studies show that thefear of deathcan significantly contribute to psychological conditions. If you have an underlying fear of death, it could be a contributing factor to your ornithophobia.

Treatment for Ornithophobia

Ornithophobia typically responds well to a combination of therapy and medication, which is often the treatment that is effective for other types of phobias.

Psychotherapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) techniques may help with your ornithophobia.A trained therapist can help you confront your fear, replacing your negative thoughts with more positive self-talk. They may also teach yourelaxation techniquesto use when your anxiety flares.

Systematic desensitization, in which you are gradually exposed to birds while practicing your new relaxation skills, can also be helpful.

This is a similar method to exposure therapy.Hypnotherapy may be a useful form of therapy as well. This is when a therapist communicates suggestions to your subconscious mind that can help you to overcome certain feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.

Medication

If your phobia is severe, your healthcare provider may suggestmedicationsin conjunction with therapy. The goal is to reduce your fear to a manageable level so that you can begin to work through it and regain control of your life.

Common medications given for phobias like ornithophobia include antidepressants,beta blockers, and in some casesbenzodiazepines(like Xanax). Clomipramine (Anafranil) is a type of antidepressant that is often used for phobias.

There are potential side effects of this medication, such as dry mouth, dizziness, and tremors. Be sure to consult with your health care provider about these or any other effects you might notice.

In addition, benzodiazepines do have potential for addiction. They should only be taken for a short amount of time under close supervision from your health care provider.

Coping With a Fear of Birds

Coping with a phobia isn’t easy, but there are actionable steps you can take to help ease your anxiety and begin your path to recovery. For instance, meditation has been found to decrease worrying and improve your state of mind.

Studies have found that breathing exercises are also effective for managing stress.This can have a positive effect on phobia-related anxiety and stress.

In addition, phobias can sometimes result in a person experiencinglow self-esteemand related anxiety and depression.Speaking with a health care professional, as well as getting adequate rest, eating a nutritious diet, and incorporating exercise into your routine are all great steps as you monitor your symptoms.

If you or a loved one are experiencing ornithophobia, it’s helpful to seek support for these related symptoms. Showing someone with a phobia that they are supported can be a great first step, so they know they aren’t alone and they have resources around them to help.

Living with ornithophobia can feel overwhelming, but remember you aren’t alone. If you are experiencing symptoms that keep you from fulfilling your everyday needs—such as eating, sleeping, or working—contact a mental health professional who can help you get started on your recovery journey.

The fear of birds is known as ornithophobia. The terms is derived from the Greek “ornis” meaning “bird” and “phobos” meaning “fear.”

Learn More:What Is Exposure Therapy?

It is difficult to determine the exact prevalence of ornithophobia, but one older study found that 12.% of women and 3.3% of men experienced an animal-related specific phobia.The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that around 12.5% of all adults in the U.S. will have some type of specific phobia at some point during their life.

If someone you care about has a fear of birds or some other type of specific phobia, it is important to take their fear seriously even if you do not share it. Be empathetic and avoid pressuring them. In situations when they experience a fear reaction, stay calm and ask them what you can do to help. Offering distractions or helping them to relax can be beneficial. Remind them that help is available and offer to help them find professional treatments that might help them cope with their fears.

22 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorder.Thng C, Lim-Ashworth N, Poh B, Lim CG.Recent developments in the intervention of specific phobia among adults: a rapid review.F1000Res.2020;9:195. doi:10.12688/f1000research.20082.1Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Symptoms.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Symptoms panic disorders.Mangot A, Trivedi S, Munoli R.A rare case of alektorophobia treated successfully with graded exposure therapy.Ind Psychiatry J.2016;25(1):116. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.196039Polák J, Rádlová S, Janovcová M, Flegr J, Landová E, Frynta D.Scary and nasty beasts: Self-reported fear and disgust of common phobic animals.British Journal of Psychology. 2020;111(2):297-321. doi:10.1111/bjop.12409Lueken U, Kruschwitz J, Muehlhan M, Siegert J, Hoyer J, Wittchen H.How specific is specific phobia? Different neural response patterns in two subtypes of specific phobia.Neuroimage. 2011;56(1):363-372. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.02.015National Health Services.Phobias - Overview.Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/s2215-0366(18)30169-xIverach L, Menzies RG, Menzies RE.Death anxiety and its role in psychopathology: Reviewing the status of a transdiagnostic construct.Clinical Psychology Review.2014;34(7):580-593. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2014.09.002Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Understand the facts: Specific phobias treatment.American Psychiatric Association.What are anxiety disorders?Hasbi M, Effendy E.Hypnotherapy: A case of anxiety person who doesn’t want to use medication.Open Access Maced J Med Sci.2019;7(16):2698-2700. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2019.820National Health Services.Phobias - Treatment.Goyal M, Singh S, Sibinga EMS, et al.Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being.JAMA Intern Med.2014;174(3):357. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018Zaccaro A, Piarulli A, Laurino M, et al.How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing.Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 2018;12. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353van Tuijl LA, Glashouwer KA, Bockting CLH, Tendeiro JN, Penninx BWJH, de Jong PJ.Implicit and explicit self-esteem in current, remitted, recovered, and comorbid depression and anxiety disorders: The NESDA study. Seedat S, ed.PLoS ONE. 2016;11(11):e0166116. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0166116National Health Services.Self-help - phobias.Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-XFredrikson M, Annas P, Fischer H, Wik G.Gender and age differences in the prevalence of specific fears and phobias.Behav Res Ther. 1996;34(1):33-9. doi:10.1016/0005-7967(95)00048-3National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Ed). Washington DC; 2013.​​

22 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorder.Thng C, Lim-Ashworth N, Poh B, Lim CG.Recent developments in the intervention of specific phobia among adults: a rapid review.F1000Res.2020;9:195. doi:10.12688/f1000research.20082.1Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Symptoms.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Symptoms panic disorders.Mangot A, Trivedi S, Munoli R.A rare case of alektorophobia treated successfully with graded exposure therapy.Ind Psychiatry J.2016;25(1):116. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.196039Polák J, Rádlová S, Janovcová M, Flegr J, Landová E, Frynta D.Scary and nasty beasts: Self-reported fear and disgust of common phobic animals.British Journal of Psychology. 2020;111(2):297-321. doi:10.1111/bjop.12409Lueken U, Kruschwitz J, Muehlhan M, Siegert J, Hoyer J, Wittchen H.How specific is specific phobia? Different neural response patterns in two subtypes of specific phobia.Neuroimage. 2011;56(1):363-372. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.02.015National Health Services.Phobias - Overview.Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/s2215-0366(18)30169-xIverach L, Menzies RG, Menzies RE.Death anxiety and its role in psychopathology: Reviewing the status of a transdiagnostic construct.Clinical Psychology Review.2014;34(7):580-593. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2014.09.002Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Understand the facts: Specific phobias treatment.American Psychiatric Association.What are anxiety disorders?Hasbi M, Effendy E.Hypnotherapy: A case of anxiety person who doesn’t want to use medication.Open Access Maced J Med Sci.2019;7(16):2698-2700. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2019.820National Health Services.Phobias - Treatment.Goyal M, Singh S, Sibinga EMS, et al.Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being.JAMA Intern Med.2014;174(3):357. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018Zaccaro A, Piarulli A, Laurino M, et al.How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing.Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 2018;12. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353van Tuijl LA, Glashouwer KA, Bockting CLH, Tendeiro JN, Penninx BWJH, de Jong PJ.Implicit and explicit self-esteem in current, remitted, recovered, and comorbid depression and anxiety disorders: The NESDA study. Seedat S, ed.PLoS ONE. 2016;11(11):e0166116. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0166116National Health Services.Self-help - phobias.Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-XFredrikson M, Annas P, Fischer H, Wik G.Gender and age differences in the prevalence of specific fears and phobias.Behav Res Ther. 1996;34(1):33-9. doi:10.1016/0005-7967(95)00048-3National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Ed). Washington DC; 2013.​​

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorder.Thng C, Lim-Ashworth N, Poh B, Lim CG.Recent developments in the intervention of specific phobia among adults: a rapid review.F1000Res.2020;9:195. doi:10.12688/f1000research.20082.1Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Symptoms.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Symptoms panic disorders.Mangot A, Trivedi S, Munoli R.A rare case of alektorophobia treated successfully with graded exposure therapy.Ind Psychiatry J.2016;25(1):116. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.196039Polák J, Rádlová S, Janovcová M, Flegr J, Landová E, Frynta D.Scary and nasty beasts: Self-reported fear and disgust of common phobic animals.British Journal of Psychology. 2020;111(2):297-321. doi:10.1111/bjop.12409Lueken U, Kruschwitz J, Muehlhan M, Siegert J, Hoyer J, Wittchen H.How specific is specific phobia? Different neural response patterns in two subtypes of specific phobia.Neuroimage. 2011;56(1):363-372. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.02.015National Health Services.Phobias - Overview.Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/s2215-0366(18)30169-xIverach L, Menzies RG, Menzies RE.Death anxiety and its role in psychopathology: Reviewing the status of a transdiagnostic construct.Clinical Psychology Review.2014;34(7):580-593. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2014.09.002Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Understand the facts: Specific phobias treatment.American Psychiatric Association.What are anxiety disorders?Hasbi M, Effendy E.Hypnotherapy: A case of anxiety person who doesn’t want to use medication.Open Access Maced J Med Sci.2019;7(16):2698-2700. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2019.820National Health Services.Phobias - Treatment.Goyal M, Singh S, Sibinga EMS, et al.Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being.JAMA Intern Med.2014;174(3):357. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018Zaccaro A, Piarulli A, Laurino M, et al.How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing.Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 2018;12. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353van Tuijl LA, Glashouwer KA, Bockting CLH, Tendeiro JN, Penninx BWJH, de Jong PJ.Implicit and explicit self-esteem in current, remitted, recovered, and comorbid depression and anxiety disorders: The NESDA study. Seedat S, ed.PLoS ONE. 2016;11(11):e0166116. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0166116National Health Services.Self-help - phobias.Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-XFredrikson M, Annas P, Fischer H, Wik G.Gender and age differences in the prevalence of specific fears and phobias.Behav Res Ther. 1996;34(1):33-9. doi:10.1016/0005-7967(95)00048-3National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.

National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.

National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorder.

Thng C, Lim-Ashworth N, Poh B, Lim CG.Recent developments in the intervention of specific phobia among adults: a rapid review.F1000Res.2020;9:195. doi:10.12688/f1000research.20082.1

Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Symptoms.

Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Symptoms panic disorders.

Mangot A, Trivedi S, Munoli R.A rare case of alektorophobia treated successfully with graded exposure therapy.Ind Psychiatry J.2016;25(1):116. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.196039

Polák J, Rádlová S, Janovcová M, Flegr J, Landová E, Frynta D.Scary and nasty beasts: Self-reported fear and disgust of common phobic animals.British Journal of Psychology. 2020;111(2):297-321. doi:10.1111/bjop.12409

Lueken U, Kruschwitz J, Muehlhan M, Siegert J, Hoyer J, Wittchen H.How specific is specific phobia? Different neural response patterns in two subtypes of specific phobia.Neuroimage. 2011;56(1):363-372. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.02.015

National Health Services.Phobias - Overview.

Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/s2215-0366(18)30169-x

Iverach L, Menzies RG, Menzies RE.Death anxiety and its role in psychopathology: Reviewing the status of a transdiagnostic construct.Clinical Psychology Review.2014;34(7):580-593. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2014.09.002

Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Understand the facts: Specific phobias treatment.

American Psychiatric Association.What are anxiety disorders?

Hasbi M, Effendy E.Hypnotherapy: A case of anxiety person who doesn’t want to use medication.Open Access Maced J Med Sci.2019;7(16):2698-2700. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2019.820

National Health Services.Phobias - Treatment.

Goyal M, Singh S, Sibinga EMS, et al.Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being.JAMA Intern Med.2014;174(3):357. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018

Zaccaro A, Piarulli A, Laurino M, et al.How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing.Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 2018;12. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353

van Tuijl LA, Glashouwer KA, Bockting CLH, Tendeiro JN, Penninx BWJH, de Jong PJ.Implicit and explicit self-esteem in current, remitted, recovered, and comorbid depression and anxiety disorders: The NESDA study. Seedat S, ed.PLoS ONE. 2016;11(11):e0166116. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0166116

National Health Services.Self-help - phobias.

Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-X

Fredrikson M, Annas P, Fischer H, Wik G.Gender and age differences in the prevalence of specific fears and phobias.Behav Res Ther. 1996;34(1):33-9. doi:10.1016/0005-7967(95)00048-3

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

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