Anyone else have/heard of a verrrry specific type of ornithophobia that I have? I am TERRIFIED of birds indoors. Birds outside? Absolutely fine, you go birds. Even pet birds indoors in cages freak me out. I was at work and a lady walked in with a parrot on her shoulder and I FLIPPED. I ran to my boss, told them we needed to call security, and hid in the back store room. I think it stems from a deep sadness of seeing majestic animals like parrots, or canaries, or even just pigeons in such an unnatural place as indoors. Plus, most exotic pet birds (or just domesticated birds in general) are trafficked or the offspring of trafficked birds. Anyway, I need to know if anyone else has this phobia and what you think about it.

Has anyone been able to manage agoraphobia without medication? I still go out and do a lot, but whenever I’m in a store, medical office, or similar place, I start feeling dizzy and get this intense fear and urge to leave. Has anyone experienced this and found something that helps? I’d love to hear what worked for you.