There are many phobias in the world around. A personās life is filled with so many difficulties that the psyche sometimes canāt stand it and gives out a non-standard reaction to the most ordinary situations. Most often, there are cases of fear of a particular animal. Most of all people are afraid of the species of rodents that are often found in human territories - these are mice and rats.
The reason for the fear of rats and mice
Genetics and scientists have found that the emergence of musophobia provoked the joint life of rodents and humans. At the beginning of their journey, people lived in caves in small groups consisting of several men and women. Each of them played a certain role - men hunted and obtained food, in their free time guarding the rest of the group, and women prepared food, looking after the children and the surrounding life. Times were not the easiest, therefore it was tight with food, and the remnants of food were ruthlessly hunted by the mice living in the same caves. When they did not find her, they could bite sleeping women and children. Some of them could get sick with dangerous diseases when the viruses carried by mice appeared in the blood. In addition to this, one can imagine the discontent of hungry men who, upon their return, learned of a significant depletion of food supplies.
Therefore, it is not surprising that many women began to beat a tantrum from one species of mice. This fear was so strong that it was gradually deposited in the genetic memory of mankind, starting its journey from one generation to another. Therefore, many representatives of humanity to this day panic at the same type of rodent.
In the case of rats, subconscious fear spurs an unsightly appearance - a bare tail, red eyes in the shape of beads, large fangs, a nasty squeaky voice. People who panicked violently at the sight of rodents believe in myths that they run through ventilation shafts, are able to move around telephone wires and develop a detailed attack on a person. No less rare is the fear of a rat bite, which can infect with something unpleasant.
The origin of the definition of zemmiphobia
Zemmiphobia (in other sources - zemmiphobia) stands for "fear of large diggers." Some researchers have become interested in the question of what it is.
The popular version is the popular name for naked rats, which practically do not differ in appearance and behavior from moles. The only difference is that on the front of the head they have pronounced fang-like teeth, with which they dig underground tunnels. They live in groups in Africa. Each of these colonies has from 80 to 300 goals. Among them there is only one main female, and her males are 19 individuals. Other members of the colony carry out work tasks or simply guard.
But it is still not confirmed by weighty evidence. Therefore, if it contains erroneous information, then science does not yet know where the word "zemmiphobia" came from.
The origin of the definition of musophobia
In some sources it is listed as musophobia (from the Greek word meaning mouse), in others - murophobia (taxonomic adjective "rat"). Along with them is mentioned suriphobia, derived from the French word "mouse".
Among doctors, only one person was the first to witness the existence of a fear of mice - this is Genna Krosser. Unfortunately, despite the information received, she also had to deal with such a deviation.
How is musophobia different from zemmiphobia
The manifestations of phobia include an elevated level of fear due to some environmental irritant. The leading place among the phenomena of phobia is the fear of mice and rats. Despite universal beliefs, these are completely different fears that have their own names.
Musophobia is a fear of mice, and zemmophobia is a fear of rats. Sometimes the term zemphobia refers to the fear of moles, which, in fact, can not harm human health. The only problems from them are the destruction of grain reserves and the emergence of underground holes where this is undesirable.
In parallel, there is a related phobia based on fear at the sight of bats. As a rule, it occurs in the avid moviegoers who too often watched horror movies involving vampires. Their panic often reaches such proportions that they quite seriously wait for the little mouse to turn into an insidious vampire and drink all their blood.
Factors that trigger the development of phobia
- Genetic memory.
- Children's fright.
- Attack of rats or mice on a person or animals belonging to him.
- Unpleasant contact experience with mice or rats.
- An opportunity to get infected from the slightest bite or scratch.
- The negative reputation created by the cinema.
Researchers believe that the phobia of rodents in ancient times was deposited in the genetic memory of people. Their life together was not always peaceful and calm. Men fed everyone, sometimes disappearing for days on a hunt. Therefore, the entire burden of everyday life lay entirely on the shoulders of women. The first representatives of the rodent families were not the most peaceful animals, because of which the people around them could sometimes suffer greatly. Most of the patients with musophobia are women and children, the smaller - men.
In especially neglected cases, with one glance at the mouse, people will be hysterical to such an extent that they begin to experience horror along with vomiting disgust. It is right. Thus, the body protects itself from the carrier of serious diseases, but at the same time it interferes with a normal life, forbidding a person to appear in those places where rodents can live.
Signs of a sick person
Any fear arises in a special way, and in its sensations does not resemble the feelings of another person. One hysteria man will run away as far as possible, with one look at the animal, and the other will stand like a statue, never moving. They are united by common manifestations of phobia:
- non-standard behavior;
- rapid inhalation and exhalation;
- trembling limbs;
- minor problems with the speech apparatus;
- bouts of nausea and regular dizziness;
- frequent sweating;
- growing panic;
- careful avoidance of rodent teeth to prevent accidental bites.
Musophobes understand the name of the fear of mice and the absurdity of their reaction to the most harmless rodent. But few people are able to take control of themselves, and they fall into a protracted depression from the additional fear of disgrace in front of their close circle. If no one helps them, the level of pathological panic will increase, growing with new deceptive fears.
In severe cases, the patient ceases to understand where reality surrounds him, and from what moment harmless fantasies begin. Fearing an attack by rodents, they can plug all openings that can be found at home so that the mice cannot get inside and find it.
Self treatment
If the manifestation of symptoms of phobia is irregular in nature, then the patient may well experience independent treatment methods. The most popular are films and children's cartoons with rats and mice, reading stories where rodents are involved in the main characters, as well as watching scientific programs about animal life. If fear has not touched the deeper layers of the subconscious, then the patient is 100% likely to defeat him.
No less effective methods include providing a comfortable life to a domestic rodent. Constant interaction with the animal allows us to verify its safety and understand that it is not much different from the more familiar cat or dog. Psychologists warn that starting the rapprochement process will be very difficult, but in the future everything will be made much easier.
As an additional aid to the patient, you can add a visit to pet stores. It is good if he can be accompanied by a person from close circle to morally support in difficult moments. During the visit, the patient should focus on rodents, notice the funny moments of their daily lives and fantasize about mouse thoughts that swarm in their head at the sight of the next visitor.
Specialist help
In the event that independent measures do not work, it is recommended to urgently visit a doctor. He will apply in the process of treatment specially developed techniques designed to cure the fear of mice and rats:
- Hypnotherapy sets up subliminal programs and tries to destroy the virus that hit them in the form of a poorly controlled phobia. If she managed to disconnect it, then all disturbing symptoms will instantly disappear. But many patients are afraid to entrust their consciousness to a stranger and therefore avoid hypnosis.
- Neuro-linguistic programming represents a phobia in the form of a distorted view of real life, which is in the hands of man himself. If the patient manages to examine his fears from a different angle, then it is entirely possible that they will cease to bother him.