Ranidaphobia
The Fear of Frogs
Ranidaphobia???
People who suffer from Ranidaphobia develop an outright fear of frogs. (Guess they're not a fan of Kermit the Frog).The term used to describe this phobia/fear of frogs is called Ranidaphobia. This word originates from Latin source ‘Rani/ranidae’ meaning the family of amphibians including frogs, toads, newts etc and phobos which is Greek for fear.
Causes:
- Modern TV shows on science have shown that many species of frogs are poisonous/allergy inducing, causing children to develop a phobia of frogs after reading about them or watching such shows.
- A negative experience with frogs in childhood
- Some students asked to dissect frogs in Biology experience twitching legs of dead frogs and have developed deep dread of these creatures ever since.
- Frogs are also found in toilets or dirty cramped spaces. People who are afraid of dirt or un-cleanliness are likely to develop this fear of frogs.
- These creatures are good at camouflage and blending with their natural environment. They tend to make a sudden appearance scaring people who then associate them with the panic felt at their presence.
Symptoms:
- Anxiety (screaming, shaking, crying, increased heartbeat, sweating, trembling etc)
- Cannot bear to even look at pictures of frogs or TV/nature shows about them
- Refusing to walk in tall grass in spring/summer months and especially at night, or swim in ponds or pools where frogs generally lurk
- Tends to think that a frog will jump on his/her head and this can make one hysterical or paralyzed with fear.
Overcoming Ranidaphobia:
Cognitive behavior therapy and Psychotherapy are both highly effective in achieving this goal. Both can help the phobic rationalize his fear of frogs. Ranidaphobic individuals should also try to gradually expose themselves to the object of fear, in this case, frogs. Listening to sounds of frogs, seeing frog photos on the internet, or talking and discussing it with loved ones (or with others in online/offline support groups) can also help one overcome Ranidaphobia.
Peyton's ranidaphobia