Botanophobia

Botanophobia is a morbid fear of plants.

Triggers and avoidance

A powerful trigger of fear is that some plants are harmful or even deadly, such as poison ivy. Sufferers tend to stay indoors away from plants and not eat vegetables produced by plants. Sufferers would avoid going to forests and gardens.

Stories depicting plants attacking people is the less common cause of botanophobia.

Symptoms and treatment

Sufferers of botanophobia may have symptoms including panic, nervousness, fast breathing, rapid pulse, trembling, and shaking, especially when near plants or within the sight.

Botanophobia can be treated by teaching sufferers that plants are everywhere and most are harmless. Then separating into harmful plants and harmless plants can be taught. But even botanophobes know that plants are almost everywhere, especially grass and trees, which are harmless. In response, therapies are better treatment options, such as behavioral therapy. Sometimes medication is included with therapy.

See also

• List of phobias