Cats are this former Durban woman’s worst nightmare
The story of a South African woman who can't even look at cats without screaming and going into a panic has caught the eye of Thandolwethu.
According to Metro Online, Jean Diffenthal, 55, can't stand cats. Her phobia for kitties makes her so scared to visit her family with cats around, so she pays them to put them away when she goes to visit.
Seeing a cat sends her heart racing. It became a nightmare for her to buy a home because she refused to view a property with a cat in it. Jean, however, is desperate to get some help to love a normal life.
"I can’t be in the same room as a cat or even look at this without freaking out. I’ll avoid the pet aisle at the supermarket so I don’t seem imagines of cats on tinned food. I’m from South Africa originally and when I got home to visit family I’ll pay to put their cats in the cattery while I’m there. I’ve got a tiny garden, but I’ve got about six cat repellents out there just in case. I feel my heart racing and I break out into a sweat whenever I spot one – even saying the word gives me the heebie-jeebies. I just tell people I’m allergic now to save time explaining the phobia because people just don’t understand it," said Jean.
Jean, who is originally from Durban, moved to Reading 16 years ago, and has had a fear of domestic house cats for as long as she can remember.
Watch Jean's interview here:
Have you ever had a phobia which took over your life? Let Thandolwethu know by sending her a voice note on 061 792 9495