How can you get over an extreme fear of snakes?

Question

I can't even look at them on tv!
They look so scary, and slimy.
I don't want to be so afraid of something like that though. If i think about them when i'm trying to go to sleep then i'll see them when i close my eyes. lol Then i can't sleep. wats wrong with me?

Answer 1

The only way to get over a fear is to face it. If you have a friend who owns a snake let him help you. Or you can go to a local pet store that sells snakes and ask them to help you. Have him or her hold the snake around you. Let your friend put the snake on you so you can feel the snake. You probably be surprised. They are not slimy or icky in any way. It will probably be really hard for you at first but after it is over and you come out unharmed you will feel much better. Most snakes can not hurt you. The snakes that can harm you would rather stay away from you than bite you.

Answer 2

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." - FDR

Seriously, the first thing that you need to get over your fear is to figure out WHY you think snakes are so scary. I used to be afraid of snakes too, because I got that from my parents and grandparents when I was little (the whole "evil serpent" thing). We lived out in the country, and I liked to play ouside (fishing, catching bugs, etc.) and we had a creek behind the house, so I would see snakes (garter and water) quite a bit. But none of them ever "chased" me or "jumped up and bit" me like my family told me they would. When I was in middle school, the uncle of one of the guys in my class did a program about snakes and brought some in and talked about them. At the end, he told us we could touch one of the snakes if we wanted to see what it felt like. My best friend (the one I was standing beside) decided to touch it, so I had to touch it too (it also helped that the guy was holding onto the head, so there was no way the snake could have bitten us.) It wasn't cold or slimy like I was always told. After about a year, my friend even got a snake as a pet, then a second one a few months later. So when I went over to visit, I got familiar with them and learned how to handle them. Now I have two of my own. So learning about snakes and being around some under controlled conditions helped me get over my own fear.

Find someone near you (friend, zoo, pet store, state park) that can tell you about snakes. Have someone who has snakes bring you a shed skin to touch (it's papery), and later introduce you to a small snake (about a foot or less long). At that size, there's not much a snake can do to you. As you get more comfortable, work up to larger snakes.

Most people that I know that are afraid of snakes are either afraid because because they don't know anything about them (or only know what other people have told them, which is often wrong) or they worry about being bitten or poisoned. I've been bitten by quite a few snakes, but I've had worse "bites" from blackberry and rose bushes. Venomous snakes are a legitimate concern, but that is a reason to RESPECT a snake, not fear it.

Answer 3

This project might want to likely be perfect dealt with by technique of a psychological healthcare professional if that is this intense... i have dealt with a lot less intense cases of ophidiophobia myself, and that took months... (had acquaintances interior the previous who were terrified of snakes... sorry, can't draw close out at my living house once you're terrified of snakes... so we worked by ability of it) yet in those cases I wasn't operating with absolutely everyone who couldn't even deliver themselves to seem at a photo, and for the most extreme case, the reason became glaring... even as she became 5 or 6, she almost stepped on an jap diamondback rattlesnake, and (clearly) her mothers and fathers (who were terrified of snakes) freaked out horribly. in case your phobia wasn't as extreme because that is, i might want to easily advise searching someone you sense you may believe who owns some snakes which could also help you artwork by ability of it, yet in a case like this, in case you want to get over it, I back, fairly advise professional help.

Answer 4

I know what your going through..I have a fear of spiders and I can relate. lol To tell you the truth...theres really no reason you should be afraid of snakes. Belive it or not, but there more afraid of you. The only time you should be afraid or nervous..is when your next to a venmous snake but other than that you shouldn't be afraid of em'. But don't think nothings wrong with you..its pretty normal for people having a fear for snakes...I know I once did. : ) Hope this helped.

-Jake

Answer 5

One of my best friends had this problem, and I told her in a very joking way that if she was going to be scared of snakes (she had a reason, nearly got bitten by a diamondback when she was little) she couldn't be my friend because she wouldn't want to be around my house.

Find someone who lives close by who you're comfortable with who owns and knows about snakes. If you're an extreme phobic where even seeing a picture of one freaks you out, you'll have to start small like that. "alright, I'm going to show you a picture of a snake, it's a whatever type of snake it is... blah blah blah" In my experience, fear of snakes is simply fear of the unknown. Learn about them and slowly slowly slowly work out your fears. I started my friend with newborn garter snakes and by the time I was done with her, she'd pick up anything in our collection.

You're not alone in this by any means, society seems to perpetuate this fear, from Eve being tricked by the serpent in the Garden on up, snakes have been given a bad reputation. You've already taken the first step in this, which is realizing and voicing an irrational fear.

Good luck on this, I hope it all works out.

Answer 6

It's normal and healthy to be cautious of snakes. They are not SLIMY- they are actually pretty cool, as long as you see them first. Where do you live? Why do you want to get over your fear- except for thinking about them before bed; my best advice is to just stay away from places where snakes live. Read something beautiful before bed. Go to a pet store that sells reptiles and snakes and ask them to help you get over it. They can educate you about them and maybe work you into actually touching one. Good luck. God bless.

Answer 7

Watch Snakes on a Plane

It should clear up overnight.

Answer 8

a snake is NOT slimy or scary. they are very smooth and feel nice to hold. you could hold a snake to get over your fears of them.

Answer 9

Go to a hypnotist, it's the fastest and best way to get over them. Yuck, what a horrible thing to dwell on, try to think happy thoughts! Every time you think of a snake, switch your brain to think of a kitten instead.

Answer 10

well i would suggest probably going to the zoo. if u still think they are scary buy a toy snake play with it awhile and see if you get over your fear thhen you shuald be okay.
P.S it worked for me!