Musophobia is the fear of mice or rats and the word originates from Latin Mus which means mice and Greek phobos which means deep fear or dread. Other terms used for fear of rats and mice include Murophobia, which is derived from the word ‘Murine’ or the ‘Muridae’ family of mice/rats and Suriphobia which is derived from souris, which is French for mouse.
Famous personality with an extreme, unreasonable and irrational fear of mice includes Dr Genna Crosser who not only first diagnosed this phobia in her patient but also suffered from it herself.
Causes of Musophobia
Musophobia is a very common phobia affecting hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. Where some people think of mice as “cute and cuddly”; phobics tend to find them “disgusting and carriers of disease”.
- Rats and mice are known carriers of pathogens. They are also infamous in history for spreading the Black Plague which wiped away large chunks of the human population. In general, they are known to dwell in sewers, drainages and dark, wet or dirty places. Rats are also known to carry fleas and other parasites that harm not just humans but pets as well.
- Wild rats and rodents are not welcome guests in human homes, so they tend to hide in cracks and crevices found around pantries, kitchens and other places having an abundant storage of food. Naturally, they might spring on unsuspecting individuals and startle them.
- Like most animal phobias, the fear of mice also stems, usually, from a negative or traumatic experience with rats. Incidents in childhood where a rat has bitten a child or loved ones can also trigger this phobia.
- Humans are conditioned from childhood to fear wild rats and rodents. An adult, parent or caregiver, might have been startled by a rat and screamed or climbed up on a chair. Children unknowingly learn to imitate this behavior and the occasional fright triggers an anxiety response that might turn into lifelong phobia of rats and mice.
- Popular culture depicts these creatures in negative light: cartoons (Tom and Jerry), books (Pied Piper of Hamilton), movies, and TV shows etc show stereotypical traits about them. Typically: a rat scares the woman protagonist who jumps and climbs up screaming on a chair/table. (Despite these stereotypes, Musophobia actually affects both genders equally.)
Symptoms of Musophobia
The symptoms of Musophobia vary depending on the extent of fear the phobic experiences. Just like any other Zoophobia, the fear of mice typically triggers physical and mental symptoms which include:
- Screaming, crying, climbing on beds or tables/chairs
- Trying to flee
- Shaking, trembling, and sweating profusely.
- Having accelerated heartbeat, breathing rapidly or gasping
- Feeling nauseated, vomiting or having other signs of gastrointestinal distress
Musophobes might experience anxiety/panic attacks at the mere mention of mice, or even from watching them feeding on trash, or in pictures, on TV etc.
Treating and overcoming the fear of mice or rats
The treatment and diagnosis of Musophobia is similar to that of other animal or specific phobias in that; any standard therapies like psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, gradual desensitization therapy etc may be used for it.
Patients should educate themselves about mice. Thanks to advances in modern medicine, plague has been eradicated and is at least not as dangerous as it once was. Rats inhabiting domestic or residential areas are themselves afraid of humans and generally stay out of their way. Wild rats and mice do spread diseases, so it is best to prevent them from coming inside the home by minimizing clutter and food sources in and around it.
If your squeamishness regarding mice is affecting you on a daily basis or you are afraid of stepping out after dark or are constantly thinking about mice, then your doctor might prescribe anxiety reducing medication for the same. Do note that such medicines do not cure the fear of mice; rather they only give temporary relief from the symptoms. It is best that you opt for long term solutions like Hypnotherapy, NLP or neuro-lingustic programming, talk therapy etc to cure your Musophobia once and for all.
Fortune says
I am happy to read all your comments. It makes me feel better. About an hour ago, a rat got into my room through the window. Now I can’t fall asleep even though I sleep on top of a bunked bed. I feel like it’s going to come to my bed, and I am just sweating profusely, jumping at every sound.
Melody says
Wow, I personally love rats, but reading about people not liking rats just makes me wonder, will I get some chicken nuggets?
Daniela says
I’ve had this mouse (or rat, whatever it is) in my house for almost two months now. The first time I saw it I nearly screamed and it was like 5 feet away! And last night I couldn’t sleep cause I was too scared. The night before I could almost swear that a rat had gotten on my bed. Just the thought of it made my heart beat so fast. So I couldn’t stop thinking of it last night. I was sweating so bad and my heart was beating really fast, I really don’t know how I survived the night. So due to the thought of having a rat/mouse on my bed I stayed up for like 1 1/2 hours last night. The only thing that made me feel better was turning the light on. I had to keep the light on the whole night for me to be able to sleep, and every single little noise I hear makes me panic cause I think it might be the rat/mouse. Yesterday when I was going to get something out of my room, I saw rat/mouse poop. I got nauseous, and I usually don’t get nauseous. Now I’m scared to go into my room cause I’m thinking that the rat/mouse might come out wherever it’s hiding. So, by chance, does anybody know how to get rid of the rat/mouse I got in my house? We tried glue traps, the little green square thingies, but it still won’t go away! Now the only solution we see is having to put the cat inside the house. If anyone can help me, please reply to this comment. I would really appreciate it if you did.
Jemma says
I have a mouse/mice in my home. I noticed it 8 days ago and I have been living in fear since. Every time I see it my heart beats so fast and I cry my eyes out, I can’t help it. I have spent so much money on everything I’ve found from traps to peppermint to poison and peanut butter etc. I have pest control coming out on Monday too, I hope this works. It’s only been 8 days. I can’t imagine living like this for much longer, how do you all get over your fear?
Daniela says
If I knew how, I’d tell you. But sadly, I don’t know how to get over this fear. Usually singing a song in my head or thinking of something I like helps, but when it comes to mice, nothing seems to work. You could try what I do and see if it helps.
Nico says
I’m really afraid of mice. I’m scared to get a pet mouse or rat. If I see a rat or mouse in my shed or in the backyard, I’ll buy mouse traps or rat traps if I have to.
Michelle Latoraco says
If i see a mouse i jump. And if i hear a loud noise within 24 hours of the sighting then i will cringe
Kea says
I have a very terrible phobia of rats and even a dead one or its skin I can’t, and people look at me like I’m not normal. Its too painful for work
mark says
I have killed 2 rats in my home and the smell is engrained in my head. I am moving in 32 days but now my brain is convincing my nose that I can smell them. Every little scratch turns out to be my kids but not until the back of head goes ice cold prickles and I start dripping sweat. It sucks , I have 2 kids and I’m a panicky mess
Amanda Says says
No I will cry too
Ilmahu says
Am I one of the only people who will cry when they see mice
Bec says
Nope not alone at all. I’m currently sat on my bed only just having stopped crying and shaking after waking up in the night to mouse poo on the end of the bed where I sleep. Just the thought it was there triggered an attack of the tears and shakes… Im not sure I’ll be able to sleep at all.
Hayley says
That’s LITERALLY what I’m doing right now. Wow. I’m legitimately paralyzed with fear. I also just happen to have chronic insomnia so I can’t sleep this fear off even if I wanted to (which I really want to)
Daniela says
Sigh, I totally get you.
Des says
This sucks. But I’m glad I’m not alone as a lot of people are making me feel really stupid for being so scared of a tiny mouse in my apartment. But I’m terrified and can’t help it.
melanie mejia says
thank you!!