A
female
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes:This isn't a relationship question but I really need help with a phobia I have.I don't know how to control my fear of spiders. I'm absolutely terrified of them. I think that if a spider were to touch me, I would either have a heart attack, or pass out. I've always been deathly afraid of them. The other day, a camel cricket jumped on me and I thought it was a spider... I lost control and screamed and jumped about ten feet.What I'm really afraid of, even more so than spiders, is my fear of losing control, not being able to control my reflexes, and causing harm to myself or someone else should a spider get on me. I can't explain why I feel the way I feel or why spiders disturb me so much; I just can't stand them. I KNOW that it's irrational and that most spiders are harmless but the thought of touching a spider gives me chest pains. I don't feel this way about mammals and I actually love (domestic) animals. I've never been the least bit afraid of dogs (breed whatever), cats, or horses. I need to learn to control my phobia, or just extinguish it, because I'm so afraid that one day I'm going to panic and have an accident if a spider appears. How do I get rid of my phobia? Reply to this Question
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (24 March 2010): Hahaha, the mods said "it's ruining my life." That's a bit dramatic, but I am so afraid that my inability to control my reflexes could be dangerous. I just jump whenever a spider gets near me.
NotmyName, thank you so much. I'm seriously thinking about hypnotherapy.
Thanks for telling me about surface spray... I'll look into getting some.
What scares me, is how dangerous it could be for me to lose control, as a reflex.
I'm so afraid that I'll be operating some dangerous piece of machinery and lose control of it, for example, if a spider gets on me.
Last year, an orb weaver spider (BIG ugly spider... looks like Shelob from Lord of the Rings) got in my HAIR... I still have nightmares about it. I thought I was gonna have a heart attack.
I love animals too!
I see you live in Australia... uh oh... I hear they have some really nasty spiders over there?
The only really dangerous ones here, that I know of, are black widows and brown recluse. I killed a brown recluse the other day... they're really dangerous; their bite can cause necrosis.
I wonder what causes this phobia? My mom doesn't understand it, but I know that you understand. I can't explain why I feel like this, spiders are just CREEPY. If I find one that's harmless I usually get up the courage to scoop it up and put it in the yard.
Did you read Lord of the Rings? Remember Shelob? I read it as a kid and I think that has something to do with my arachnophobia now.
I'm a softy for animals too!
I had a white rat for a pet when I was a kid and my mom was scared to death of my rat. It used to freak her out when I'd hold him and pet him.
My mom is terrified of cats, and big dogs. We have a German Shepherd but I begged her to allow us to adopt her (she was a stray dog).
I've worked with dogs at the animal shelter and I walked the dogs... a lot of people are afraid of certain breeds; not me.
But, in spite of all this, I'm scared to DEATH of spiders.
I don't understand how anyone can be afraid of cats... but my mom is.
My mom has a severe phobia of cats... I don't understand that at all. But she reprimands me for my spider fear.
Thanks for your advice and for understanding... I've made up my mind to get over this phobia. :-) Good luck to you too... I understand how it feels to be arachnophobic.
A
female
reader, Not My Name  +, writes (24 March 2010):
 I sympathise completely ((((xxxx))))) as I too am severly arachnophoic. Can't even look at pictures of them let alone the real thing without my heart just about seizing up in my chest. Actually, swear on my son (not just said for convienience lol) an hour ago I woke up from having a nightmare about one that my boyfriend had taken out the house earlier. Ugghh!
My only comfort is that I keep surface spray in most rooms and my car too coz if one is near a doorway I am as good as imprisoned in the room until I can summon up the balls to do a mexican hat dance just about in tears and hysterics killing it. Might be a small comfort to you too to stock up on the stuff.
Not fly spray tho - get the good stuff (surface spray or spider control) coz it bangs em on the head in a couple of minutes or less. Also spray every few months around all your doors and windows, (inc the car) to minimize encounters. Or drop a pesticide bomb that can last around 6 months. Don't have wood bark in your garden, ... and consider cutting down any tree's close to your home. I did this and it helped tremendously with the numbers.
BTW - sorry to people who think killing them is cruel. I honestly remove bugs off my fire wood before burning it I am such a softy for animals - even insects, ... but I just can't live terrorized so make an exception for spidy's even tho I feel pretty bad about it.
Anyway, there are arachnophobia therapy sessions you can take where they slowly introduce you to them,.. with little money spiders first, and apparently lots of peeps can work up to letting the big dirty hairy bastards walk on them. I have opted not to go this route myself coz I think I would be too traumatized.
Hypnotherapy may also help to at least take the edge of the phobia if not conquer it.
Goodluck with what ever you decide to do about this and keep us updated down the track on any progress.
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