Arachnophobia: overcome fear in 3 steps |

Arachnophobia is a mental health problem, an irrational and morbid fear of spiders. Follow some of the 3 steps.

Arachnophobia is a fairly common specific phobia that affects many people around the world. It can certainly be overcome with therapy and you can regain control of your life.

An irrational fear of spiders can interfere with a person’s normal activities, limiting their quality of life. For example, it can cause a person to avoid going for walks in forests, fields, etc.

Spiders are arachnids that also include scorpions, mites, and ticks.

These insects range in size from a tiny spider, measuring 0.2 millimeters long, to a tarantula with a leg span of almost thirty centimeters.

Most arachnids are not dangerous to people. However, some may only fear large spiders, while in other extreme cases people may have a phobia of even small spiders.

Fear of spiders may determine where the person with a fear of spiders decides to live, or where they go on vacation.

They may also avoid certain hobbies if they are in places where they think there may be spiders.

Also, a spider-shaped object may cause an attack in people with an irrational fear of spiders.

Symptoms:

Dizziness.
Tremors.
Nausea.
Increased blood pressure.
Accelerated breathing.
Cold sweats.
Catastrophic thoughts about what will happen
Feeling of loss of control over one’s body.
You feel anxiety when you see or think about spiders or spider webs.
Your anxiety gets worse as you get closer to the encounter.

Arachnophobics’ reactions often seem irrational to other people.

Causes:

Arachnophobia can develop due to negative experiences with spiders regarding how you respond to these arthropod insects.

Traumatic experiences with a spider in the past can trigger the fear.
Observing others who are afraid of spiders can lead to the behavior being learned and the fear being adopted.
Cultural influence: In some cultures, spiders are associated with danger or negative meanings.
There is a possibility that there is a genetic predisposition to this type of phobia.

Treatment for arachnophobia:

The good news is that arachnophobia can be overcome. If the pathological behavior continues for more than six months, it is advisable to go to a psychologist.

The most effective treatments are based on cognitive-behavioral techniques.

Follow one of these 3 steps:

Gradual exposure
Relaxation.
Cognitive restructuring.

Other recommendations to overcome it:

Learning everything about spiders can help you not to have the phobia.
Seeking help from a psychologist specializing in phobias can help you a lot.
Do not feel self-conscious about your fear, because it is common and can be cured.
Lean on friends and family.
Feel joy at your progress, no matter how small it may be.

Generally, it is common to use methods that expose the phobic to the animal that terrifies them, called shock therapy or systematic desensitization.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychologist-patient carried out online or at home. Consequently, it can help the patient manage and cope with the fear of spiders.

In this sense, this can help reduce the unpleasant thoughts associated with this terror. It is important for you to know that overcoming arachnophobia is possible. With patience and the right tools, you can learn to control your fear and live a life without fear of these insects.

Therefore, arachnophobia can significantly limit your quality of life.

Consequently, you avoid situations and places where you might encounter these arachnids. For this reason, a therapist specialized in phobias can help you develop a personalized treatment plan and accompany you throughout the process..

“Phobia is a feeling of hatred or rejection towards something that, while not an emotional health disorder, does generate many emotional, social and political problems.”