Motephobia consists of an exaggerated and irrational fear of butterflies, developing in these people symptoms of panic, nausea or anxiety when they see images or contact with these insects or even other insects with wings, such as moths.
People who have this phobia are afraid that the wings of these insects come into contact with the skin, giving the sensation of crawling or rubbing on the skin.
What Motephobia Causes
Some people with Mothophobia also tend to be afraid of birds and other flying insects, which may be related to the evolutionary fear that humans have associated with flying animals, and so usually people who are afraid of butterflies are also afraid of other insects with wings. People with this phobia are often imagined to be attacked by these winged creatures.
Butterflies and moths tend to exist in swarms, as is the case with bees for example. Negative or traumatic experience with these insects in childhood may have triggered the butterfly phobia.
Motephobia can also become a parasitic delirium, which is a mental problem in which the person with a phobia has a permanent sensation of insects crawling on the skin and can cause, in extreme cases, damage to the skin due to an intense itching.
Possible symptoms
Some people with Mothophobia are afraid even just looking at photographs of butterflies, which cause a deep anxiety, disgust or panic just thinking of butterflies.
In addition, other symptoms such as tremors, attempted escape, crying, shrieks, chills, agitation, intense sweating, palpitations, dry mouth and wheezing may occur. In more severe cases, the person may refuse to leave home for fear of finding butterflies.
Most phobics avoid gardens, parks, zoos, florist shops or where butterflies can be found.
How To Lose Fear Of Butterflies
There are ways that can help mitigate or even lessen the fear of butterflies, such as starting with seeing pictures or pictures of butterflies on the Internet or in books, for example, drawing these insects or viewing realistic videos, using self-help books, or attending group and talk about this fear with family and friends.
In more severe cases and if the phobia affects a person's daily life, it is advisable to consult a therapist.
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