I have an extremely phsycotic Phobia with Waterbugs (BIG ROACHES).?

Question

I have an extremely phsycotic Phobia with Waterbugs (BIG ROACHES). What should I do ? I hate the fact that everywhere that I go they exist. I need help. What should I do and where can I go for help. Serious answers only and, prefferred by someone with the same Phobia. Can anyone help? Please!!!!

Answer 1

Fears of insects (including roaches) are actually pretty common. This is hard for you, I know--but believe it or not, as long as nothing else is going on, this is an easy difficulty to have treated.

This type of phobia is actually easily treated by a licensed psychologist specializing in anxiety disorders. Most things you get off the internet (life coaching, EMDR, EFT, hypnosis, self-help books, and the like) are just rip offs and wastes of time and money, typically put out by those looking to take advantage of desparate people or by those without appropriate training/qualifications, or those who are no where near the mainstream of competent psychological care.

The only scientifically proven way to treat phobias is with exposure therapy (it's not called "aversion therapy") and you'll want that done under the care of a trained professional. There typically aren't many complications to this kind of treatment and there certainly aren't any deep or underlying problems that require years of therapy (In other words, ignore suggestions for psychodynamic or psychoanalytic treatment--your fear is not because of the way your mom treated you when you were 2 or some other such nonsense!). Exposure sounds scary, but nothing should be forced on you, nothing should take you by surprise, and everything should go at a controlled, gradual pace.

You should expect as little as 3-4 hours of treatment on one end to around 8-10 sessions/hours at the other to see results. Skip psychodynamic or psychoanalytic therapy--no proven benefits. Also, medication is NOT recommended for specific phobias and generally won't help with the fear itself. There is no need to use a combination of techniques either. The buzz words to use are that you want either a "behavioral" or a "cognitive-behavioral" psychologist who will use an "empirically supported treatment" (this just means using one of several treatments that have received considerable study and have been found to work the best).

You've got several options. Most universities that have graduate programs in psychology have training centers where the professors supervise care for a significantly reduced price (some as little as 10-15% of community prices!). The experts and specialists are actually hiding out in these types of settings because they can do their research there. Along these lines, if they have a study going, you may even get help for free. You can also try ADAA or ABCT's websites and their find a therapist links. Generally, you'll want to see a specialist for this so do a little digging as described above and don't just settle for the nearest hospital or mental health clinic--along the same lines, if you were having surgery you wouldn't just settle for whoever you came across in the phone book--you'd want references, you'd want to make sure they specialize in treating what you've got, etc.

You taken an important step by asking the right questions and realizing the fear is getting in the way of you living your life, now the challenge is to find a qualified professional and keep your motivation to overcome this just a little while longer.

Best of luck.

Answer 2

OK there is something that you can do. You need to find a therapist that deals in aversion therapy. That means that you will be exposed gradually to the thing that you hate and learn to control your reaction to it. In order to find a therapist that deals in that kind of therapy you should contact your local hospital with a mental health clinic and or the local hospital that has a school affiliated with it. Those would be your best bet. If you live in an area where they come into your house or apartment try putting down some boric acid (not if you have small children) and that will help kill them. ,Lay the boric acid along the floor near where they come into the house near water pipes and places where it's cool and dry. Water bugs are not roaches they are beetles which is why they have a hard shell. You can get boric acid from almost any drug store.

Answer 3

Man, aren't those things AWESOME? Somehow a couple of them find a way into my house EVERY Summer- & my girlfriend freaks out with just as equal regularity... And there's NO escaping them either- so FORGET about moving to Nome, AK to escape them! So here's what I'd suggest; ask around your area to see if you can find an Entimologist (that's a person who specializes in bugs). Call him/her & explain your Phobia... They might know of a way to "desensitize" you from your Fear of those Waterbugs. They really ARE harmless you know (& can't live for more than a day or so- when trapped in our homes...-There just isn't enough THERE for them to eat). It's their appearance & size that rattles us. But get HELP to cure your Phobia- by ALL means. You sound too young to die of a heart attack the next time you see one! Good luck!

Answer 4

I think we all have that same phobia about those.They are much more afraid of you.Sometimes not living on the ground floor will reduce bugs and insects.

Answer 5

I have the same phobia possibly worse lol. I usually close my eyes and take deep breaths, pretend like they are not there.

Answer 6

''palmetto bugs'' are interesting..mutated roaches that can fly!! :)

just stop thinking about it..you are working yourself up.

be afraid of bugs like scorpions .. now thats a scary bug.looks like a damn evil crab with a needle for a tail...bleh