Draft:Anthophobia



Anthophobia /ænθəfoʊbiə / is a type of specific phobia referring to an extreme fear of flowers. Anthophobia can be caused by negative past experiences with flowers, and it is closely linked with scent. Anthophobia can cause someone to be afraid to all flowers or a particular species, and various different parts of a flower, such as the petals or leaves, can trigger anthophobia. People with anthophobia exhibit avoidance behaviors towards flowers, however it can be cured in around 8 months through SSRI and Behavior Therapy. The exact number of people with anthophobia is unknown.

Symptoms
People with anthophobia can experience panic attacks at the sight or thought of flowers. Other, less severe symptoms include shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and sweating. These symptoms can vary across different people.

Causes
Anthophobia is typically caused by a negative experience with flowers in childhood. Such experiences include insect bites/stings, funerals, or allergies. Genetics and family history can also cause it. Anthophobia can be caused by insect phobias, making people avoid flowers where insects may be present. Specific phobias are more common in girls than in boys.