Danny Video Essay

Little Danny suffered from a condition called "cynophobia", fear of dogs or animals. Animal phobias are among the most common of the specific phobias and 36% of patients who seek treatment report being afraid of dogs or cats. Although snakes and spiders are more common animal phobias, Cynophobia is especially weakening because of the high prevalence of dogs. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSMV-IV-TR) reports that only 12% to 30% of those suffering from a specific phobia will seek treatment.

When Danny was 18 months old, a dog jump on him while he was in his carriage, since then he has suffered from fear of dogs. His full-blown phobia is so intense, irrational fear that causes his intense stress and interfered with his day-to-day life, like walking to school. A strong fear or phobia of dogs can make the most pleasant walk full with anxiety. Hearing a dog bark can cause immediate panic and a powerful urge to run away. Of course, many dogs will take this as an invitation to play and chase you, which will make the situation even worse. As in the Danny video, Danny was so afraid to go to school without his mother walking with him. The fear of a dog jumping and biting him is devastating for him to imagine. It was shown while he was at the park with his first attempt at graduated exposure therapy; he was trying to run to avoid the many dogs in the park.

Danny wants to enjoy and love the dog, but it's taking a toll on him. His mother took him to a therapist that was able to slowly help him overcome his fear of dogs. He was able to overcome his fear of dogs by gently allowing his unconscious mind to learn a new way of responding to dogs. Danny was able to relax around the dog through his weekly therapy, which eventually led to diminishing his fear of dogs.

The type of therapy that was used on Danny was a behavioral therapy called Systematic Desensitization or graduated exposure therapy, which is