How do I get over my phobia?

Question

So I am terrified of spiders. I don't really have any reason, I'm not afraid of them in a life threating way.. When I was younger, I was with my sister picking back berries and I but a berry in my mouth and there was a spider on I felt him crawl in my mouth before I spit him out.. It was tramatic to say the least lol.

So anyways, how do I get over my phobia of spiders and other bugs? I was thinking about trapping a spider in a jar and keeping him for a while..?

Answer 1

Let's try this. You HATED the spider for crawling into your mouth. It got killed alright (I suppose). But it was you who went to its home and probably terrified it.  With small brains, "He" was just trying to escape the "intruder" and unfortunately ended up into to giant's mouth. He was just trying to live his life in peace. Poor spider. He was created by God that way. But he seems small and disgusting to some people. Let's give them a break.

Answer 2

repeated exposure will help, i don't know if there is a "cure" for phobia's.  

Answer 3

I've always belived that knowledge overcomes fear.  The more you know about and understand something the less there is to fear!  Your experience would have been extremely traumatising!  Why dont you go to a nearby zoo and do a tour with a keeper of the spider exhibit?  The keeper will be someone who's  life work is spiders and they will be able to answer all your questions and even some that you wouldn't even think to ask.  They'll be able to explain all about them and you will have the opportunity to view some spiders with the assurance that you are safe with the glass casing between you and them.  If you dont have a zoo nearby you could try your local library.  

Answer 4

Everyone has phobias... I do too.. It is important to understand that when we are phobic to something, we blow it out of proportion and think of impractical possibilities which are close to impossible. Like Im phobic to blood and when I cut myself, no matter how small, I think that my body is gonna drain out all my blood, that's silly and to understand and believe that helps in reducing the phobia.

Keeping a spider near you and watching it all the time might cure your phobia but it might psyche you out also. Try reading about non poisonous ones and watch a documentary on them. Always keep a bug spray in your room to assure yourself that it couldn't harm you.

Best of luck :)

Answer 5

I'm a grad psych student and I am still horribly aracnophobic!

Unfortunately the only real way to actually get over a phobia is through a process of learning relaxation techniques (breathing exercises, meditation, etc.) and then slowly, over time, introducing you closer and closer to the thing you fear... still this is uncomfortable, takes a lot of work, and personally I never even tried it because I'm not that interested to get along with spiders. I just try to stay away from them as much as possible :).

Answer 6

I know how find a spider squish it and your fear is over