Apiphobia

Apiphobia, also called melissophobia, is a specific phobia triggered by the presence or anticipation of bees, and is considered a variation of entomophobia, the broader fear of insects. It arises mainly from fear of being stung, and psychologically is shaped by cognitive distortions such as exaggerating the likelihood of encountering a bee, catastrophizing the consequences of a sting, and underestimating one's own ability to cope. The fear can affect quality of life by producing anxiety around ordinary outdoor activities, with symptoms of panic when a bee is seen. Exposure therapy is the treatment most often used for apiphobia, as for other specific phobias.