User:BParisian/sandbox

Lepidopterophobia ( from lepido- + Greek ptera, pl. of pteron, wing, winged creature) is the term for an irrational fear for creatures of the order Lepidoptera such as moths, and butterflies. While there are some people who have a slight fear of butterflies, Lepidopterophobia is an intense, irrational fear of Lepidopterans. Like victims of other zoophobias, people with Lepidopterophobia will go through great lengths in order to remove the Lepidoptera or themsleves from the area until the percieved threat is gone.

===Causes===

The acquisition of Lepidopterophobia can be linked to many of the same reasons people develop other phobias. A possible cause of the disorder are genetic or biological factors in which a genotype creates imbalances of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, which when tampered with can engender feeling of anxiety and mania. Other schools of thought suggest that the phobia is related to more enviromental factors, such as the assoiciation of a trauma to a Lepidopteran. Other experts theorize that the phobia could relate to the victim being raised in an enviroment where they came had little to know contact with butterflies or moths and there phobia being of something the simply dont understand (relating to Xenophobia).

==Symptoms==

A person has Lepidopterophobia when they execute extreme measures to avoid or dispose of the source of their fear. Physical actions include, but are not limited to Nausea, fast heartbeat, sweating, dry mouth and panic attacks.

==Treatment==

Several techniques Lepidopteophobes can use to reduce or rid of completely their phobia can include relxation techniques, desensitization therapy, Cognitive behavioral therapy, Hypnosis. While there are no specific medications for Lepidopterophobia anti-depressants like SSRIs and MAIOs have shown to reduce phobic symptoms.

==Sources==

http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/mental_health/mental_health_about/phobias/Pages/index.aspx

http://www.amcofh.org/homeopathic-phobias-treatment.html

http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site1448/mainpageS1448P1.html