Do you suffer from arachnophobia? If so, the best way to calm your fears is by learning more about spiders. In this article, we will discuss arachnophobic.
Contents
What Is Arachnophobia?
A fear of spiders. People who suffer from arachnophobia tend to experience a sense of dread and anxiety even when they come into contact with pictures or drawings of the eight-legged creatures. The condition is classified as an anxiety disorder that can cause panic attacks in severe cases. You can treat this phobia through psychotherapy and medication. A study suggests that people with arachnophobia experienced less fear when they saw images of spiders with happy music, compared to those who looked at the same pictures alongside angry noise.
Symptoms of Arachnophobic Person
There are many symptoms to know if you want to know if someone close to you may be arachnophobic
Avoiding Going Out
They may fear going out of the house because they are afraid that there is a spider nearby. They might even avoid going near their garden or yard during outdoor activities for example camping and hiking
Feeling Uncomfortable with Spiders
Arachnophobic people may feel uneasy when spiders appear around them, especially if it happens suddenly. When seeing a spider unexpectedly makes you panic, then it’s likely that you’re suffering from arachnophobia. This is not only about having an extreme fear but also avoiding anything related to spiders at all costs
Thoughts About Death Or Dying
People who have a deep hatred towards spiders usually think that death is better than living with this anxiety which can lead to suicidal thoughts. It is possible that if you do not treat arachnophobia, it will lead to depression and anxiety
Being Physically Uncomfortable
Having an intense fear of spiders may also cause physical symptoms. You might feel nauseous or sweaty when you see a spider which can impact your daily life activities such as work and socializing with friends because this condition triggers panic attacks.
Sleeplessness
When someone is arachnophobic they are often overwhelmed by the thought of having a spider near them even during sleep. The person will experience nightmares about being chased by spiders or waking up abruptly at night due to their fears.
Causes of Being Arachnophobic
There are many causes of being arachnophobic. Some of them are:
Traumatic Experiences
Having a traumatic experience with spiders such as getting bitten or stung by one can trigger arachnophobia. You might think that spider bites are dangerous and need medical attention because you witnessed what happened to someone else
Direct Effects of Spiders
Some people develop their phobia after seeing the direct effects caused by some kind of spider, for example watching the news about how deadly they are. They may have seen family relatives being scared which made them believe it’s also true so they developed fear towards this creature too.
Genetics
If you have a parent or older family member who also has arachnophobia, then it’s likely that you’ve inherited the same trait. There is a high chance of inheriting this condition if your parents gets scared by something such as spiders.
Childhood Exposure
If you were constantly exposed to spiders when you were a child, then there’s a higher chance that you will develop this fear. This may be because the person was unable to understand what it is and becomes scared because of its appearance or how it moves.
Diagnosis of Arachnophobic
Usually, a mental health professional does the diagnosis of an arachnophobic. They will ask the person about their fears and any traumatic experiences related to spiders. The therapist may also want to know if there are other anxiety disorders present in order to provide the best treatment plan.
The mental health professional will also ask about any physical symptoms you may be having due to the fear of spiders. The therapist will observe if your body reacts in an intense manner when seeing a spider such as sweating, trembling, and feeling dizzy.
There are no such specific tests to diagnose arachnophobia, but there are diagnostic tools that can be used. One popular tool is the spider fear questionnaire which helps to measure the level of fear a person has towards spiders.
Treatment Options for Arachnophobia
There are many treatment options available for an arachnophobic depending on how severe the condition is. Some treatments include:
Exposure Therapy
This type of therapy involves gradual exposure to spiders in a safe and controlled environment. The therapist will help you face your fears by showing you different types of spiders such as tarantulas and asking you to touch them. This method may seem scary at first, but it’s very effective in helping people overcome their phobia.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This type of therapy focuses on changing the thoughts and beliefs that contribute to the fear of spiders. The therapist will help you understand how your thoughts are making you feel scared and helpless which can worsen the phobia. You will learn how to deal with anxiety-provoking situations in a more positive way.
Medication
Some people may need medication to treat their arachnophobia. Mental health professionals usually prescribe medications. It also depends on the person’s symptoms and the severity of the condition. Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications may help to reduce fear and improve quality of life.
Self-Help Tips For Arachnophobic
There are some self-help tips that can be helpful for an arachnophobic:
Write Down Your Fears
When you feel afraid, it’s often difficult to remember the details of what happened and why. Try writing down your feelings and thoughts when you encounter a spider in order to help yourself calm down. You can also write about how you would like to react next time so that this fear doesn’t control your life anymore.
Create A Relaxing Environment
Spiders usually appear at night which is the most stressful time for someone with arachnophobia because there aren’t any distractions such as TV or music playing loudly in the background. To make sure spiders won’t come into contact with you during these hours, create a relaxing environment by dimming lights and using calming scents such as lavender oil and cinnamon candles.
Avoid Eating Sweets Before Bedtime
Eating sweets before bedtime can cause your blood glucose levels to drop which triggers the release of stress hormones. Since you’re already anxious at night, this could make things worse and may lead to a panic attack in extreme cases. Avoiding sugary snacks within several hours before sleeping will help keep anxiety under control.
Keep Your Hands Clean
Spiders are attracted to scents such as perfumes or soaps on our skin, so try using unscented products when getting ready for bed. Also, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water right after coming back from work or school because spiders may be hiding in nooks and crannies around the house.
Learn More About Spiders And Their Behavior
You can learn more facts about spiders instead of just reading what other people say because they might be wrong which will help calm your fear towards these creatures. Talk with spider experts because they know how things work for them and may offer advice that’ll make you feel better when seeing one in real life too.
Conclusion
The fear of spiders is called arachnophobia. It can be triggered by seeing a spider, hearing about them, or even just thinking about it. Studies show that the most common phobia in people across cultures and age groups is the fear of spiders which makes up nearly 50% of all cases. There are many ways to deal with this condition such as exposure therapy, systematic desensitization, or even hypnosis but they’re not always successful for everyone so it’s best to consult your doctor first before trying anything else on your own.
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