Fear of cats, also known as ailurophobia, is a feeling that it is harmful or evil.
An ailurophobe views it as sadistic or sneaky.
Some are not able to leave the house or watch television fearing they will meet or see a cat.
The fear is created by the unconscious mind.
It is a collection of memories that may have been forgotten but become accessible at a later time.
The sight of a cat can trigger the unconscious mind bringing out the fear.
The symptoms may include intense fear, sweating, heart palpitations, nausea, dry mouth and tightness in the throat and chest.
It is not a dislike of cats but a negative reaction.
The reaction can be caused by purring, pictures in books and on television or the sight of the animal.
Although there could be several causes, the most common is a childhood experience of being bitten or scratched.
Another cause is the belief that a cat is related to evil or black magic.
The fear can be transmitted from parent to child.
An ailurophobe will tend to stare a a cat when it is present.
A cat will want to be near the ailurophobe because it does not like to be stared at.
Treatment for the fear can be looking at cat photos, watching videos and being in the same room with a restrained or unrestrained cat.
Reducing anxiety with deep breathing can also be effective.
If the fear can not be overcome by normal means, consulting a therapist or psychiatrist may be necessary.
Some infamous people have suffered from this fear.
: Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Hitler, Julius Caesar and Mussolini.
La Toya Jackson fear was caused seeing a relative attacked by a cat when she was a child.
An ailurophilia is a love of cats.