Woman struggling with myrmecophobia found dead in Ameenpur

A 25-year-old woman from Navya Homes Colony in Ameenpur, Sangareddy district, was found dead on Wednesday after reportedly struggling for years with myrmecophobia, an intense fear of ants.

Ameenpur Circle Inspector Naresh said as per her family, C. Manisha was reportedly battling the phobia since childhood. A note found at the scene read: “I am sorry, take all precautions… deposit ₹1,116 in Annavaram and Tirupati hundis, and don’t forget to offer rice to Ellamma.”

The officer added that as per her family, she used to have palpitations since childhood on the sight of ants and was consulting a doctor in Mancherial, and was also being counselled for it.

She ended her life while she was alone at home. Her husband, Srikanth, 35, was away on duty at the time. The couple got married in 2022 and have a three-year-old daughter, Anvika. Police registered a case and began an investigation into the incident.

Myrmecophobia is the irrational fear of ants. According to Dr. Hara Gopal, for someone who has it, even the sight or thought of ants, or at times just pictures or mentions of them, can cause acute anxiety, panic attacks, trembling, nausea or an intense need to escape.

“People who experience myrmecophobia often go to great lengths to avoid contact with ants. They might avoid picnics, gardens or outdoor gatherings, and may clean obsessively to ensure there are no ants around. The fear can grow so severe that it interferes with daily routines or social interactions,” said the doctor. 

(Roshini suicide prevention helpline numbers: 8142020033/44 and 040 66202000/2001.)