I have a phobia of spiders... i know... so do many people but my phobia is starting to get extreme. I wake up in the middle of the night jump out of bed and switch the light on because i'm dreaming of one crawling on my bed. I'm not sleeping properly because i'm constantly thinking and dreaming about spiders. Things have got worse over the last two years and i'm at the point where i have a panic attack when i see or think about one. Where would i go to for help? I'm fairly young, 16, and desperate to find some help with this matter. Any advice on where to go for help or how to deal with it please answer this question!
TIA
2006-09-19 04:47:56 · 5 answers · asked by tward1989 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
I don't go to school anymore. I left last year after my exams. I'm nearly 17.
2006-09-19 04:54:48 · update #1
Please don't give me advice relating to school counselors or parents as i live alone and don't go to school.
2006-09-19 05:05:54 · update #2
An intense irrational fear that often leads to avoidance of an object or situation in your case spiders. Fear of spiders is common and usually begin in childhood or adolescence.
Phobias occur in over 10% of the general population. Your phobia is very close to become the anxiety disorder ( more advance form of phobia which interferes with the normal life.
You need to start treatment which may consist of:
Virtual reality or imagery exercise to desensitize patients to the feared entity. These are parts of systematic desensitization therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be beneficial. Cognitive behavioral therapy lets the patient understand the cycle of negative thought patterns, and ways to change these thought patterns. CBT may be conducted in a group setting. Gradual desensitization treatment and CBT are often successful, provided the patient is willing to endure some discomfort and to make a continuous effort over a long period of time.
Anti-anxiety or anti-depression medications can be of assistance in many cases. Benzodiazepines could be prescribed for short-term use.
These treatment options are not mutually exclusive. Often a therapist will suggest multiple treatments.
Treatments are provided by the psychologists or other health professionals trained and educated to perform psychological therapy.
2006-09-19 05:21:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to see a psychiatrist soon. Your phobia has turned into anxiety attacks which could lead to other disorders like agoraphobia (fear of open spaces/public). I'm sure a psychiatrist could prescribe medication to help you sleep and calm you down.
Some hypnotherapists may say they can hypnotize you to not be afraid of spiders. This may work, but I would suggest having a parent get in touch with a doctor as soon as possible. If they can't help, open up the phone book and look for a psychiatrist dealing with anxiety and phobias. Call and make an appointment.
2006-09-19 11:59:28 · answer #2 · answered by sgdylla 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At 16 most of us take things like phobia a little too far. I did, and sometimes you feel out of control, but you can control it. I over came mine on my own, but some people can't. Do research online about phobias. You will be able to overcome the fear at least enough to have a normal night's sleep. You might want to look at your local library for books on overcoming phobias, and ask your counselor at school if they know where you can get more info. Good luck.
2006-09-19 11:57:06 · answer #3 · answered by Dawn 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The most accepted form of treatment is aversion or behaviour treatment. These tend to involve a mixture of education and experience, most arachnobobes (in fact most people) have little real knowledge of spiders, learning allows the sufferer to use their own mind to counteract the rising emotions. Familiarisation or experience has a similar effect, giving people the opportunity to gain perceptual evidence of spiders as being basically harmless, to desensitise them. Although the details of all treatments depend on the therapist as well as on the age and experience of the sufferer a large degree of moral support is essential.
If you cannot desensitize yourself ( and this must be done with careful guidance and support), go see a doctor-they will most likely prescribe you something that wont get rid of your fear but calm you down a bit (ie a sedative). I learned to like spiders by telling myself over and over "they eat bugs, they eat bugs". Now dont get me wrong, I still dont want one on me, and I dont want to hold one and pet it, but I can live in harmony with them around the yard
2006-09-19 11:57:03 · answer #4 · answered by reconnermom 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You may want to either go to your school counsellor or a Psychologist
2006-09-19 11:50:59 · answer #5 · answered by gingersnapgrad2003 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋