Journal of Mental Health and Psychiatry

ABSTRACT

Background: Pteronophobia, a specific phobia characterized by an irrational fear of feathers, often causes significant distress and impairment in daily life. Recent research indicates that the consumption of refined sugars, such as white sugar, may have detrimental effects on mental health, potentially exacerbating anxiety and phobic responses. Palm leaf sugar, an alternative sweetener with a lower glycemic index and a higher content of minerals and antioxidants, may offer a beneficial substitute. This case study investigates the effects of substituting palm leaf sugar for white sugar in reducing symptoms of Pteronophobia in a woman. Methods: One woman 33 years old diagnosed with Pteronophobia, after poisoning from white powder suspected to be from chemical fertilizer, participated in the study. Over the course of three months, she replaced all regular sugar in her diet with palm leaf sugar. Anxiety and Pteronophobia severity were assessed before and after the intervention using standardized psychological tools, including the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale and the Pteronophobia Severity Scale (PSS). Results: After three months of substituting palm leaf sugar, there was a significant reduction in both anxiety and Pteronophobia severity. The participant’s anxiety score decreased by 12.5%, and the Pteronophobia severity score reduced by 14.3%. These findings suggest that palm leaf sugar may serve as a beneficial dietary alternative to white sugar, potentially alleviating anxiety and phobic symptoms. Conclusion: The case study suggests that palm leaf sugar could help manage anxiety and phobic responses in individuals with Pteronophobia. Future research with a larger sample size is necessary to confirm these results and explore the underlying mechanisms of its effects.

Keywords: Palm leaf sugar; Pteronophobia; Anxiety disorder; Specific phobia