A 25-year-old woman in Telangana’s Sangareddy district tragically died by suicide on November 4, reportedly due to an extreme fear of ants, a condition known as myrmecophobia. The woman, married in 2022 and mother to a three-year-old daughter, was found deceased in her home. Neighbors and relatives revealed to the police that her phobia of ants was deeply rooted, dating back to her childhood. This fear was so severe that she had previously sought professional counseling at a hospital in her hometown of Mancherial. The phobia apparently continued to impact her life significantly even after marriage.
On the day of the incident, she had left her daughter with a relative, stating she would return after tidying up the house. Her husband returned from work to find the house locked from the inside. With the assistance of neighbors, he managed to force entry, only to discover his wife unresponsive.
A suicide note found at the scene directly addressed her intense fear of ants. In the note to her husband, she expressed her inability to continue living due to the ants and urged him to care for their daughter. The note also contained family-related reminders, suggesting a decision made under duress. Police speculate that seeing ants while cleaning may have triggered a panic attack, leading to this extreme action. An investigation is underway, with authorities planning to interview family members and past counselors to gain further insight into the circumstances.
