What is the name of the fear of mice and rats? - briefly
The fear of mice and rats is termed musophobia (also called muriphobia), a specific phobia of rodents. It is classified among animal‑type phobias in clinical psychology.
What is the name of the fear of mice and rats? - in detail
Musophobia, also referred to as muriphobia, designates the specific phobia of rodents, chiefly mice and rats. The term derives from the Greek mus (μῦς, “mouse”) and phobos (φόβος, “fear”). It is classified in the DSM‑5 and ICD‑11 as a specific anxiety disorder triggered by the presence, anticipation, or even the thought of these animals.
Typical manifestations include:
- Immediate physiological arousal (elevated heart rate, sweating, trembling)
- Persistent avoidance of environments where rodents may appear (basements, attics, storage areas)
- Intrusive thoughts or images of mice or rats
- Distress that interferes with daily functioning, such as refusal to enter restaurants with visible pest control activity
Diagnostic criteria require that the fear be excessive, persistent for at least six months, and cause significant impairment. Differential diagnosis excludes broader rodent phobia (generalized rodentophobia) and related animal phobias such as arachnophobia or ophidiophobia.
Epidemiological data suggest that musophobia affects roughly 2–5 % of the general population, with a higher prevalence among females. Onset commonly occurs in childhood or early adolescence, often after a distressing encounter with a mouse or rat.
Evidence‑based interventions comprise:
- Cognitive‑behavioral therapy (CBT) with exposure hierarchy, progressing from imagined contact to real‑world encounters.
- Systematic desensitization combining relaxation techniques with gradual exposure.
- Pharmacological adjuncts, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or benzodiazepines, reserved for severe cases.
- Virtual‑reality exposure, offering controlled simulation of rodent presence.
Prognosis improves markedly when treatment begins early and adheres to a structured exposure protocol. Relapse rates decline after completion of therapy, especially when patients maintain periodic booster sessions.