Herpetophobia and Its Treatment

Herpetophobia is a fear of reptiles, specifically snakes and lizards. The severity of this relatively common specific phobia can vary drastically, making it difficult to know if you have a clinical phobia or simply a fear. A mental health professional is required to make a clinical diagnosis of a phobia based on the criteria found in the DSM.

Specific phobias are an irrational fear of a situation or object. While certain phobias are more common (acrophobia or fear of heights, for example), there is really no limit to the number of things that can provoke fear or anxiety under the right circumstances.

All types of phobia are forms of anxiety disorders and affect 9% of people in the United States. The other two types of phobia are agoraphobia and social phobia (social anxiety disorder).

An Evolutionary Phobia

There is a theory that herpetophobia, along with arachnophobia (fear of spiders), is an evolutionary phobia. Theorists posit that our ancestors tended to fear animals—both vertebrates and invertebrates—that could cause harm. So, the sheer number of venomous reptiles in the environment could have caused herpetophobia to develop over time.

While such creatures are not as dangerous to us now as they once were, the fear and anxiety may be instinctual, according to the theory. Fear was a way to protect ourselves and keep ourselves alive in the face of potential dangers, which would in turn be a beneficial trait and behavior to pass down to future generations.

Herpetophobia Is Highly Personalized

Herpetophobia is a very personalized phobia, meaning that symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. While you might only be afraid when touching a large snake, another sufferer might have a more severe case and cannot even look at photographs of small, harmless geckos.

Your various symptoms of herpetophobia might include:

• Fear whenever you are in proximity to a reptile
• The inability to shop in pet stores that offer reptiles for sale
• Refusal to go on hiking trips or other activities during which there is a chance of encountering a reptile
• Overreacting, such as screaming crying, shaking or hyperventilating, if you unexpectedly encounter the reptile of your fear

Characteristics of a less severe phobia include being able to tolerate reptiles in the area, but panicking if you come into physical contact with one.

You will not be diagnosed with a clinical phobia unless the fear is life-limiting, lasts over 6 months, and is out of proportion to the actual level of danger. Fear of a poisonous rattlesnake, for example, likely doesn't qualify, as the danger in this case could be very real, and the level of fear appropriate.

Treatment for Herpetophobia

A specific phobia only requires treatment if it interferes with your daily activities, including your job and personal relationships. If you think you're exhibiting symptoms of herpetophobia, consult a doctor or therapist to determine if it's just an everyday fear or you meet the criteria for a clinical diagnosis.

In many cases, medication may be prescribed to help treat some of the symptoms associated with your fear, such as anxiety or depression, but a comprehensive course of treatment will likely also involve a therapist.

Systematic Desensitization Therapy

Systematic desensitization, based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy, can successfully treat 90% of people with herpetophobia. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, according to Tom G. Stevens, Ph.D., a psychologist and professor emeritus at California University, you can guide yourself through the steps or seek the help of a mental health professional.

This method takes various forms and is the common mode of treatment for the vast majority of specific phobia cases. This kind of therapy involves exposing you to the object of your fear, but in a carefully controlled, safe environment. It allows the person in treatment to proceed at their own pace and it reduces the discomfort they may feel from addressing their fears.

Eventually, the idea is that you will grow more and more comfortable with the object of your fear, until you no longer feel anxious in its presence. This kind of treatment is both safe and effective, so it's important to remember that you're not alone and that there is help available to you.