I have this Fear of...?

Question

SPIDERS! I hate spiders and i want to get over my fear of them! Whenever i see a spider i cant feel my legs and i feel like i am going to pass out! I cant squish them because my hands get jello-like and i control where my hands go. Anyone know how to get over my fear??

Answer 1

no,...but this crazy, spiders are like ants, insects. sure they are spookier, but, they are killable just the same.

Answer 2

It's funny, I was talking to my sister (a psychologist) about the subject of phobias just last night, and this one came up. Almost all phobias have two ways to get past them.

The first way is a slow, slow exposure. Start with a spider in a cage across the room, and just be in that room until you don't freak out. It may take doing this daily for months, it may take a short time, it all depends on the person. Slowly start getting closer to the caged spider when you do this. Eventually have the spider out of a cage and be away from it and slowly get closer, and so on until you're okay holding a tarantula or something equally impressive.

The second way is a bit more cruel, and it comes with overexposure, and while quite effective, is indeed a very, very emotional experience. That would entail simply jumping to the last step and having a spider crawl all up and down your arm which could possibly end the phobia right then and there or after a few tries, etc.

I reccomend doing the first of these, as it is less emotional and probably more effective.

Either way, best of luck!

Answer 3

Don't try and squish them.
Grab a cup and a piece of paper to capture them with and help them get back outside. By focusing on finding those 2 items, you will be freed from the spiders death grip of terror. By the time you go to capture it, chances are it will have disappeared.
Web spiders are beneficial for keeping flys down to a minimum in summer.
Wandering spiders are beneficial to your outdoor habitat. They eat some garden pests.
If you really hate spiders, put up a lot of birdhouses on your property. Birds love to eat spiders.

Answer 4

Although some people say exposure therapy is beneficial. There is a lot of evidence that say it is not. It can be very traumatizing so please do not do this unless you look into it further. NEVER try exposure therapy by yourself or with an counselor who is not trained in this field, it should only be done by someone who has experience!!

One suggestion that I have is learn about the cultural signficance of spiders from a variety of cultures. I am afraid of spiders as well. Knowing that they have meaning helps me think of them in a different way.

Answer 5

the only way i can think of for you to get over this is to actually face it you re going to have to kill one or touch one with i know probably scares the hell out of you there are lots of people with this fear and i think everyone to some extent is scared of them maybe you should try going to a pet store and just looking at the tarantulas they have in there that would be a start

Answer 6

i like spiderman! BUT I HATE ROACHES!! EWWWWWW

its hard to get over a fear like that.. like the same thing happens to me but with roaches! and i hate that.. cause i can hear then hissing and i can feel them crawling on my shoulder when they arent really there.. ewwwww!

Answer 7

I would go to see a professional hypnotherapist they are very good at helping people with phobias. you could also buy a self help hypnosis CD that you could listen to at home they are good.

Answer 8

u have arachnophobia. just go out and get some spiders.

Answer 9

if its really serious , you may consider cognitive behavior therapy. its for people who have fears and anxiety.