A fear of snakes is common, with roughly 50% of the population reporting anxiety about the reptile, but for 2-3% of people, this fear causes significant distress or impairment.1 2 These individuals struggle with an anxiety disorder called ophidiophobia, which can usually be treated with therapy or a combination of medication and therapy.3 4
What Is Ophidiophobia?
Ophidiophobia is an anxiety disorder that is categorized as a specific phobia. Unlike other anxiety disorders, people with specific phobias experience intense anxiety and fear in response to certain situations, objects, or animals. Specific phobias are common, affecting between 3-15% of people at some point in their lives.1,2 Some of the most common specific phobias are a fear of public speaking, flying, needles, spiders, and snakes.
Here are the differences between a “normal” fear and a phobia:
| Normal fear of snakes | Phobia of snakes (Ophidiophobia) |
| Disliking or feeling grossed out by snakes | Fear, panic or terror of snakes |
| Feeling scared when seeing snakes | Intense anxiety at the thought of snakes |
| Not wanting to touch/get close to snakes | Not being able to even look at snakes |
| Only thinking of snakes when you see one | Frequent thoughts of snakes |
| Not changing your routine to avoid snakes | Changing your routine to avoid snakes |
| More intense fear of poisonous snakes | Intense fear of all snakes |
| Able to tolerate snakes in cages/zoos | Unable to tolerate snakes in cages/zoos |
Ophidiophobia Symptoms
All specific phobias are diagnosed by licensed health and mental health providers using a standardized set of symptoms from the DSM-5. People with ophidiophobia describe intense anxiety about snakes, and active efforts to avoid any encounter with snakes.
Possible symptoms of specific phobias include:5
- A persistent fear that is excessive or unreasonable that occurs when a person encounters or anticipates a specific object or situation
- Exposure to the feared object or situation leads to immediate symptoms of anxiety
- There is a recognition that the fear is excessive or that the response is disproportionate
- The phobia is avoided or endured with intense distress
- The avoidance, anticipation or distress experienced before or during the situation interferes significantly with the person’s routine, work, relationships, or social activities
- The fear is persistent and occurs for at least six months
- The anxiety and avoidance cannot be better explained by another mental health disorder (like an anxiety disorder or PTSD)
- Panic attacks
While people may experience different symptoms during a panic attack, common symptoms include:5
- Heart palpitations or racing heart
- Chest tightness or pain
- Trouble breathing or hyperventilation
- Dizziness or loss of consciousness
- Confusion and disorientation
- Feeling a loss of control
- Fear of dying
- Nausea, vomiting, or G.I. problems
Why Are People Afraid of Snakes?
Some researchers believe that the fear of snakes is “programmed” into the human brain as a survival instinct.6 According to research, it’s a universal fear that occurs in almost all countries and cultures around the world.1,2
While having some level of fear towards snakes is normal, many people who develop ophidiophobia describe having had negative encounters with snakes that intensified their fears.2 According to research on the different kinds of life experiences that can lead to phobias, there may be three “pathways” that make a person more likely to develop a phobia.7
The three “pathways” that make a person more likely to develop a phobia are:
- Direct learning experience: A direct learning experience is when a person has a traumatic or stressful experience and subsequently develops a phobia (e.g., developing ophidiophobia after being bit by a snake)
- Observational learning experience: An observational learning experience occurs when a person observes others having strong fear reactions to an object or situation, and then develops this response themselves (e.g., developing ophidiophobia after a loved one is bit by a snake)
- Informational learning experience: An informational learning experience occurs when a person develops a fear after learning some information, instead of having directly experienced or witnessed something (e.g., Developing ophidiophobia after watching a documentary on poisonous snakes)
Treatment for the Fear of Snakes
Often, people who struggle with ophidiophobia are able to overcome (or at least manage) their fear in therapy. Some people also benefit from a combination of therapy and medication, especially if they’re struggling with another co-occurring mental health disorder.
Here are the most effective treatments for phobias:
Therapy
Therapy is highly effective for treating anxiety disorders and specific phobias. That said, certain types of therapy have more research to support their work.4
Here are four types of therapy that might be used for a fear of snakes:
- Exposure therapy: One of the fastest and most effective methods of treating phobias. It involves working with a trained therapist to gradually increase exposure to snakes. Exposure therapy for ophidiophobia may involve working on being able to look at cartoon images of snakes and then gradually working up to looking at more realistic images and videos.
- Cognitive therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Another proven and effective type of therapy for phobias. This kind of therapy often involves working to replace irrational, fear-based thoughts with more helpful, rational thoughts.
- Relaxation training: A common therapeutic approach used to help people with specific phobias. This approach shows good efficacy when combined with CBT, exposure therapy, or other forms of therapy. Relaxation training may include learning to use mindfulness techniques, progressive muscle relaxation, or guided scripts.
- Hypnotherapy: A less common type of therapy that is sometimes used to treat phobias. It involves a therapist leading the client into a relaxed state of mind. Hypnosis can be effective for some people, but overall has less evidence to suggest it is effective in treating phobias.
Medication
Medication is less commonly used to treat specific phobias, but is helpful for some people who are struggling with intense anxiety or other mental health disorders. Medication should always be combined with therapy for the best results, although most therapists are unable to prescribe medication. Those interested in exploring options for medication may need to schedule an appointment with their doctor, a psychiatrist, or other prescribing professional.
Three types of medications used to help people with specific phobias include:4
- Benzodiazepines like Ativan or Xanax: Can provide immediate relief but also carry a high risk for abuse and addiction
- Beta blockers (often blood pressure medications used off-label for anxiety): Carry less risk and have fewer side effects
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): Typically used for depression and mood disorders, but can be helpful to some people with anxiety
Getting Help for Ophidiophobia
Seeking treatment for a snake phobia is often the easiest and fastest way to overcome a fear of snakes, but only 10-25% of people will take this step.4 8 Instead, many people try to cope with their fear by avoiding any situation where they may encounter snakes, even when doing so causes them to miss out on important activities they enjoy.
Research also shows that specific phobias often co-occur with other mental health conditions like anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders. In some cases, an untreated phobia can even lead one of these existing conditions to develop or worsen.8 Therapy can interrupt this cycle and help people manage their symptoms and improve their overall functioning, mental health, and quality of life.
Seeking out a therapist who is trained in CBT, exposure therapy, or some other proven type of therapy can help individuals with ophidiophobia overcome their fear, often in just a few sessions.4 If you need help finding a therapist, consider using our free online directory, which allows you to find a professional who is in-network with your insurance and specializes in the issue you need help with.
5 Tips to Overcome Fear of Snakes
In addition to seeking help from a professional therapist, there may be some ways to work on overcoming your fear of snakes on your own, including getting out in nature, going to the zoo, and educating yourself on snakes.
Here are five tips to work on overcoming your snake phobia:
1. Spend More Time Outside
This is especially important if you’ve avoided doing so because of your fear of seeing a snake. Spending time outdoors is good for your physical and mental health, and also can help you cut back on avoidance behaviors that may be making your fear worse.
2. Take a Trip to the Zoo
Encountering snakes in a controlled setting where there is a glass or metal barrier between you and the snake is a good way to begin confronting your fear of snakes head-on.
3. Educate Yourself About Snakes
Some snakes are dangerous, and others are harmless. Knowing the difference between poisonous snakes and harmless snakes can help you know which snakes you should avoid and which are unlikely to harm you. Knowledge is power, and it can also help you feel less anxious and more in control.
4. Use Mindfulness to Refocus Anxious Thoughts
When you feel panicked or afraid, your mind might start racing towards the “worst-case scenario,” no matter how unlikely it is to happen. If this happens to you, try to use mindfulness to refocus your attention on something in the present moment: your breath, your surroundings, or your five senses.
5. Set Realistic Goals for Yourself
While you may want to feel less anxious and afraid of snakes, you probably don’t need to become so comfortable with them that you are able to hold one or have one as a pet. Unless you’re working in a zoo or another field that requires frequent hands-on contact with snakes, it’s OK to set a more realistic goal to just be fine with seeing one or going on a hike.
Final Thoughts on Ophidiophobia
Most people are at least a little afraid of snakes, and having a healthy amount of fear is normal. Still, if your phobia causes you distress or holds you back from doing things you enjoy, therapy may be helpful. Through therapy, many people are able to overcome their phobias, or at least learn how to keep them from getting in the way of living a full, happy life.
