Many therapies are available today to help one overcome different types of specific phobias. The good news for people with the extreme fear of cockroaches is that it can be overcome. Katsaridaphobia can sometimes get out of hand or outright dangerous when the phobic runs or darts out on the road into the traffic or tries to brush away the cockroach when driving etc which can lead to serious accidents.

Having a full blown panic attack where one feels like being choked, or experiences chest pains etc.

Feeling dizzy or weak in the knees, fainting.

Quiz: Do You Have an Anxiety Disorder? Take the Test Now Constantly spraying insecticides in the house and car, sweeping and brushing rugs and carpets, or cleaning kitchens and bathrooms etc to deter roaches are some signs of Katsaridaphobia.Īdditionally, the phobic might experience following physical symptoms upon sighting a cockroach: The phobic tries to clean his/her house thoroughly to ensure these creatures stay out. The fear of cockroaches often leads to obsessive compulsive disorder. In some cases though, it can persist into adulthood. Most childhood cases of Katsaridaphobia resolve over time. Adults expressing incredible fear at the sight of a cockroach can also unknowingly pass on their fear to children watching them.

Such children have a greater possibility of developing cockroach phobia. Children might have been punished or locked in closets or dark spaces where such creatures tend to hide. Many times, the Katsaridaphobic individual might have had a negative or traumatic experience with cockroaches in the past. Such a disgust response is usually evolutionary our prehistoric ancestors were programmed to stay alert to these creepy crawlers when they slept in caves and out in the open.

This can evoke deep fear or disgust response. Often, at night or in the absence of lights, they accidentally crawl or brush over our skin. Cockroaches are known to inhabit dark and warm places which are abundant with food.

Many people feel uncomfortable or afraid in the presence of insects and critters like cockroaches. Thus, an extreme, persistent and unwarranted fear of cockroaches can literally turn the sufferer’s life into a nightmare. Once, she even ran out of the shower with the soap still on, as she felt a cockroach had flown into the bathroom. It would make her “freeze on the spot or break into a cold sweat”. A teacher had to reportedly quit her job since she could not even bear her students saying the word ‘cockroaches’ aloud. The phobia or fear of cockroaches can be a debilitating one.

Carcass cry of fear