March 1, 2013

• Phobia Entry

  It's the first day of March.  First thing in the morning.   I have just dropped Luci off at school, I am headed to my studio to pick up some things before my Friday classes start.  I go into the building and start up the stairs.  I hear a fluttering.  I pause.  I go up a few more stairs.  A bird flies across the top of the stairs.  I scream.  The heavy breathing starts.  The bird hears and flies back across where it came from.  I scream again, "Oh, God!"  I run down a few stairs.   Breathe.  I need in my office.  Maybe it won't fly by this time.  Breathe.   I sneak up a few steps.   I hear fluttering.  I tense.  I shake.  It lands at the top of the stairs.  I whine, "I can't, I can't, I can't, no". each time attempting to take the next step.  I take a very slow step upward.  It moves.  I run away.  The girls will have to practice without their tambourines and candy.  I can't.  By now I'm crying.  I get in my car.  Call my best friend.  I. Can't. Breathe.  She can't figure out what I'm saying.   Finally, she hears the word bird, and understands.  I told her it wasn't necessary for her to come save me, I left, but thanks for letting me have a panic attack over the phone.  

  Not a good start to my month.  

  You see, I have this irrational phobia of birds.  

  Ornithophobia is a type of specific phobia, which is an abnormal and irrational fear of birds. The origin of the word ornitho is Greek (meaning bird) andphobia is Greek (meaning fear). The fear of birds is not uncommon, and it stems from the menacing, darker image of some birds of prey. Some people may only fear predatory birds, such as vultures, while others will even be afraid of household pets in the likes of budgies.^[1]

  Sufferers of this phobia might fear that they will be attacked by a bird or may simply be uncomfortable around them. They would usually fear their fluttering wings, the way they move, the way they fearlessly fly towards people hoping for food, the texture of feathers, the fear of disease or any combination of these. Birds can also be loud, large and menacing, and they can demonstrate little fear of humans.^[2]

  The phobia itself causes heart palpitations, sweating, nervousness, and avoidance behavior in those who suffer from Ornithophobia. Without treatmentthe phobia can become life-limiting. The fear of birds has been well-documented in films and poetry.

   

   

  I have always said I hate the damn things.   places where the walk around under tables to get food are a nightmare for me.  I roll my windows up in my car when stopped and there are birds on nearby power lines, but I have never screamed and been thrown into a panic attack by one before.  I also have a tendency to put my arms over my head and quicken my pace when a swarm flies over.  I guess I've never had a bird with me in such a confined place before.  My phobia is a lot worse than I anticipated.  

  Leah K.

  • 4:11 pm
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