Spider fear/phobia [Archive] - MacRumors Forums

iLao

Mar 10, 2009, 07:23 PM

Hi there,

Today my father found a big spider on the stairs, I was near, so he warned me to stay back. He knows I have spider phobia. When I think about spiders I get all sweaty and scared... I hate spiders!
It was winter past four, five months, so there was no spiders around. But it is starting to get warmer. And when summer comes, the spider invasion comes too...

So todays spider reminded me to do something about this horrible spider fear. (I know this will not be easy, probably impossible, doh)

I googled for some solutions, but there were many pictures of ugly spiders, so i was too afraid to look.(argg) Also I looked at an existing thread on this forum, but some idiot put a picture of a really ugly spider in it. You can imagine my reaction! (reading, reading,.. BAM, a spider!!!)

This (http://www.advicenators.com/qview.php?q=352916) guy has very similar or almost identical spider phobia as me. As you can see it is very extreme.

So, is there anyone who also has spider phobia, extreme as mine? Has any of you defeated(i know the word isn't right, bad eng.) spider phobia, and how? Interesting question: Is it genetic? my parents aren't afraid of spiders. So it might pass away when older.(i really, really hope so!!!)

Help!

Oh, IMPORTANT: Don't post any spider pictures in this thread, I am serious!

Dagless

Mar 10, 2009, 07:55 PM

suprdave1

Mar 10, 2009, 07:59 PM

I have no phobias myself, but I had a roommate who was as horribly afraid of spiders as you are. One time, in fact, when he saw a spider in his room, he started yelling and stood on a chair :rolleyes: mind you he is no dainty looking guy, either, which made it only that much funnier. Granted, this was the spider that had been biting him on his legs in the middle of the night for a few months that he could never find to kill......

X5-452

Mar 10, 2009, 08:01 PM

Absolutely terrified of them.

The only spider I like is Spider-man.

I spaz out just seeing a teeny tiny spider in the tub.

Interestingly enough - they're the only thing I'm afraid of. Minus dying a tragic death all alone, but that's another topic.

iLao

Mar 10, 2009, 08:08 PM

Hah, I was gonna post a photo too :p

Nah I hate the buggers. Can't go near them, not even small ones. I don't mind mice, rats, snakes or anything else that people have phobias of. Just spiders (and heights, but thats another topic :o).

Luckily we've not had many in the house in recent years but I think that was down to my dog, who unfortunately passed away in the summer so I guess we'll see what happens now.

Interesting, I'm afraid of heights too, but I think being afraid of heights is natural. If you fall you die, but if you see a small non-poisenous spider you aren't going to die or something, haha. :p Also I don't mind mice, rats, snakes, etc. (When I was about 15 I wanted a snake pet, hehe)

Jaffa Cake

Mar 11, 2009, 12:47 PM

I'm in the same boat as you, iLao – I can't stand the bloody things either.

People laugh and say that they can't hurt you, put when there's a chemical leak and they start growing to the size of houses then they'll be sorry...

charlesbronsen

Mar 11, 2009, 01:31 PM

A co-worker of mine is just terrified of spiders, more so of admitting it. So one day whilst cleaning out my desk I found a fake plastic spider and the wee light bulb above my head lit up. Tied some floss to one of its legs and tucked the other end of the floss in the ceiling tile in his office. It was set up perfectly at eye level so when he walked in his office BAM right in face would be the spider:D I must have lurked around his office for like an hour waiting for him to show. When he did it was with Wendys he picked up for lunch. So he goes in and all I hear is AAAHHHHHH and I'm on the floor at this point, then the cursing starts. :eek:Uh oh'. So I move towards his office peer in to see wendys all over the floor and and a frosty running down his leg. I felt pretty bad at the time but we are able to have a chuckle about it now though...

Kirjava444

Mar 11, 2009, 01:45 PM

So, is there anyone who also has spider phobia, extreme as mine? Has any of you defeated(i know the word isn't right, bad eng.) spider phobia, and how? Interesting question: Is it genetic? my parents aren't afraid of spiders. So it might pass away when older.(i really, really hope so!!!)

I don't want to be a jerk, so I won't post a picture. However, know that a fear is not going to just go away - I think it's best to try confront it. Start slow, look at some pictures and then move onto seeing some spiders behind glass (pet shops etc). I know this is much easier said than done - I'm not bothered by spiders but I've got some pretty bad fears too. Good luck!

kastenbrust

Mar 11, 2009, 02:13 PM

Spiders are good for slipper target practice :p

Consultant

Mar 11, 2009, 02:39 PM

There is an episode of Mythbusters in which they did some experiment with spiders.
One of them was afraid of spiders. You might want to watch it.

FYI the best way to confront a fear is to look at facts.

Facts
Spiders kill harmful insects such as mosquitos, so they are actually your friend
Spiders rarely sting humans
Spider stings are mostly harmless
Unless you live in a very exotic locale, you will have a much higher chance of getting hit by lightening than to get any kind of injury from spider

benflick

Mar 11, 2009, 02:51 PM

Spiders never bothered me, thinking about it, I don't really have any fears of insects or animals or anything for that matter.:)

pooky

Mar 11, 2009, 02:54 PM

If you truly have a phobia, which it sounds like you might, DO NOT take any advice you get on an internet forum... except for this piece of advice :)

Go get help. Phobias are seriously hard to break. It's not just a fear of something, but an irrational, overpowering fear. It is tied in with anxiety disorder and other medical illness. Not saying you necessarily have these, but it needs to be treated cautiously.

Go see a psychiatrist, psychologist, or a licensed therapist. He/she will evaluate you and help you get over your phobia. Things like cognitive behavioral therapy can help. If it's serious enough, medication can help. Don't try to gradually face your fear without doing so under the guidance of a professional. There is a right way and a wrong way to do it, and if you do it the wrong way, you'll make it worse.

Dagless

Mar 11, 2009, 03:07 PM

Go get help. Phobias are seriously hard to break. It's not just a fear of something, but an irrational, overpowering fear.
Not really. Being scared of heights, of tight places or certain insects/animals isn't irrational. They're a preventative measure to keep you safe even if they do seem over the top.

Go see a psychiatrist, psychologist, or a licensed therapist. He/she will evaluate you and help you get over your phobia. Things like cognitive behavioral therapy can help. If it's serious enough, medication can help.
I disagree with this. As a society we're being spoon fed too many unnecessary drugs. If it's too serious and life limiting (like agoraphobia) then seek psychiatric help for sure. If you're scared of one class of insect then it's nothing at all.

Jaffa Cake

Mar 11, 2009, 03:32 PM

A co-worker of mine is just terrified of spiders, more so of admitting it...You're quite the card. Do you have a colleague with extremely bad claustrophobia? If so, you could maybe lock them in the stationery cupboard.

Beerfloat

Mar 11, 2009, 03:36 PM

This doesn't have a lot to do with it but this somehow reminded me of the 7-legged spider (http://27bslash6.com/overdue.html) emails and had me break out in giggles again. :o

iJohnHenry

Mar 11, 2009, 03:39 PM

Little guys don't bother me, but anything large enough to make a web between close trees/etc I do not like. (OMG, did I just swallow one??) Anyone got a face-full of web, and wondered??

I don't go out of my way to kill them though, for they do good work keeping flying bugs down.

iLao

Mar 11, 2009, 05:14 PM

I disagree with this. As a society we're being spoon fed too many unnecessary drugs. If it's too serious and life limiting (like agoraphobia) then seek psychiatric help for sure. If you're scared of one class of insect then it's nothing at all.

Exactly. Spider phobia is annoying and I hate it so much, but its not destroying my life. I don't need professional help. And I also think that I will always be afraid of spiders no matter what. I just can't imagine holding an ugly spider in my hand!:eek:

To Consultant: I have watched that episode of mythbusters.
And yes I know most spiders are harmless, and I am not afraid of them because I think they will kill me or something. I just can't stand watching, touching them, even thinking about them. Sometimes I can't sleep because there are spiders on my mind and I can't think of something else.(if you know what I mean, bad english sorry)

Thank you for the replies!

iJohnHenry

Mar 11, 2009, 05:19 PM

Sometimes I can't sleep

Sleep???

Oh oh, don't Google that one. http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/MouseMeat/Smilies/terical.gif

iLao

Mar 11, 2009, 05:47 PM

Sleep???

Oh oh, don't Google that one. http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/MouseMeat/Smilies/terical.gif

I really don't know what you are trying to say.:confused:

QuantumLo0p

Mar 11, 2009, 06:14 PM

A few years back I was close to buying a tarantula to force myself to overcome my fear of large spiders.

That idea came to an immediate halt when the pet store clerk told me a story of her mother. Her mum was just about to let one of those hairy, fanged buggers crawl onto her hand but it instead leaped onto her face and scared the crap out of her.

That story quite completely ended my desire to attempt such a foolish thing as to become comfortable with a hairy bug that has fangs, is venomous, eats meat and has eight eyes.
:eek:

Applespider

Mar 11, 2009, 06:19 PM

So, is there anyone who also has spider phobia, extreme as mine? Has any of you defeated(i know the word isn't right, bad eng.) spider phobia, and how? Interesting question: Is it genetic? my parents aren't afraid of spiders. So it might pass away when older.(i really, really hope so!!!)

My sister used to be terrified of spiders. So much so that I remember once occasion where she found one in her bedroom (at 17) while Mum was on holiday and barricaded the door, living off the clothes in the laundry/ironing baskets until Mum returned.

She decided then that it was getting ridiculous so went for counselling and a course at the local zoo on spiders and now she's OK with them. She's not their greatest fan but she can watch one run across the rug now without having the screaming heebie jeebies.

iJohnHenry

Mar 11, 2009, 06:20 PM

I really don't know what you are trying to say.:confused:

Google "sleep spiders", and enjoy. :)

iLao

Mar 11, 2009, 07:00 PM

Google "sleep spiders", and enjoy. :)

No thanks, haha.

Hmm, interesting, Arachnophobia or fear of spiders is the most common phobia. Second is fear of snakes. Read this (http://psychology.about.com/od/phobias/p/commonphobias.htm)

AliFun3

Mar 11, 2009, 08:01 PM

it took me 10 minutes to scroll trough this thread cause i didnt want to see a picture of spiders, its only the big ones i can't stand though.

charlesbronsen

Mar 12, 2009, 08:23 AM

You're quite the card. Do you have a colleague with extremely bad claustrophobia? If so, you could maybe lock them in the stationery cupboard.

c'mon now, I would never:D

pooky

Mar 12, 2009, 11:16 AM

Exactly. Spider phobia is annoying and I hate it so much, but its not destroying my life. I don't need professional help. And I also think that I will always be afraid of spiders no matter what. I just can't imagine holding an ugly spider in my hand!:eek:

Then you don't have a phobia. Being scared of something is not a phobia -- a phobia is a medical/psychiatric condition.

SLC Flyfishing

Mar 12, 2009, 12:54 PM

I don't have a problem with Spiders, sure they are ugly (well some of them are beautiful) but they really are harmless for the vast majority of cases. I live in a relatively spider rich area (high elevation desert) we've got black widows, brown recluses, and Hobo's here; all of which are dangerous if they bite, but you almost never hear of anyone who's been bitten, and if they do it's never fatal. There are hundreds of other completely harmless ones here too.

We had a rash of Hobo Spider bites in the news a few years back, but that's really it. I've seen millions of black widows around but never been bitten or known anyone who was. In fact, a few months ago my wife (who's terrified of spiders) woke me up because there was a spider climbing up the wall right near my head. I smashed it with my fist (gross I know) and grabbed it to take it to the toilet for flushing, it was a fairly large female black widow!

I understand the fear, but I think that you should make an effort to educate yourself about spiders, especially the ones which live in your area. Then even make an attempt to locate some. You'll likely find that there's none to worry about.

SLC

Dagless

Mar 12, 2009, 02:10 PM

Just spotted the first spider in my room for years! Bugger was crawling over the Macbook sat on the desk next to me. Horrible (though necessary and important) little thing.

iLao

Mar 12, 2009, 06:16 PM

Then you don't have a phobia. Being scared of something is not a phobia -- a phobia is a medical/psychiatric condition.

Not true. Phobia is an irrational fear. I have an irrational fear of spiders so I have a phobia. And don't tell me it isn't irrational.:p

Just found an interesting site-> Click Here (http://www.pe2000.com/phobias-deal.htm)

Most single issue phobias ( such as insects, animals, etc.) can be resolved in up to 30 minutes.

WOW! I can't believe this.

zephead

Mar 12, 2009, 07:01 PM

I can understand if you're walking around barefoot and you're freaked out by a spider, but come on, shoe beats spider. Every time.

iLao

Mar 12, 2009, 07:26 PM

I can understand if you're walking around barefoot and you're freaked out by a spider, but come on, shoe beats spider. Every time.

Some spiders can make webs and climb. Very rarely you see a spider walking on the ground. Also, I couldn't kill a spider, it's too disgusting.

dukebound85

Mar 12, 2009, 07:28 PM

Some spiders can make webs and climb. Very rarely you see a spider walking on the ground. Also, I couldn't kill a spider, it's too disgusting.

i see more spiders on the ground than in webs

i mean heck, if you have gravel, go look at all the spiders living in that

zephead

Mar 12, 2009, 08:35 PM

Some spiders can make webs and climb. Very rarely you see a spider walking on the ground. Also, I couldn't kill a spider, it's too disgusting.

Ever stepped on an ant? The exact same process is used for killing a spider. :D

gusious

Mar 13, 2009, 06:08 AM

I'm not afraid of spiders. Ok only the poisonous ones but i like them a lot. Wonderful creatures.

iLao

Mar 13, 2009, 06:16 AM

Ever stepped on an ant? The exact same process is used for killing a spider. :D

Yes. I'm not afraid of ants.:)

But you know, I'm not just afraid of spiders. I also don't like centipedes! OMG, THEY ARE SO DISGUSTING! :eek:

Gloops

Mar 13, 2009, 06:45 AM

I can understand if you're walking around barefoot and you're freaked out by a spider, but come on, shoe beats spider. Every time.

Unless it's one of these: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/08/28/uk.dangerous.spider/

Being afraid of spiders isn't an irrational phobia - it's primordial, instinctive wariness of something potentially harmful. But it's a phobia if you run away screaming from a Money Spider.

I'm stupidly superstitious; so if I find a spider in the house I have to spend ages catching the bugger and putting it outside.

iLao

Mar 13, 2009, 06:59 PM

Watch THIS (http://www.hypnoticmp3.com/spider.htm) video and your spider phobia will be cured!.....not

This video didn't help me. But maybe it will work for you.(somehow)

WARNING: spider picture in the video!;)

Heh, I really freaked out when I saw it! First time I just couldn't watch it, was just listening. Second time I did watch it. it was hard.:p

Anyhow, I'm done searching for help over the internet. So if I want to cure my spider phobia, there is only one way. To see a psychiatrist, psychologist, or a licensed therapist. Just like pooky said. Maybe i will go, maybe I won't. First I must know if there is anyone in my country doing this, second how much money will it cost.:)

Keep talking:p

MyDesktopBroke

Mar 13, 2009, 09:05 PM

Spiders are friends in our house, and we have big wood spiders. We obviously don't want them crawling into our beds, but we have worse problems with other bugs that spiders eat. Spiders in our basement = no bugs anywhere else. I even rescue spiders from the bath when they get stuck in there.

epyfa

Mar 13, 2009, 09:24 PM

There is only one thing I don't like about spiders and don't read on if you are afraid of spiders.

I don't know why, but I always think about the spider going into my mouth or nose while I'm sleeping and I'm definitely afraid of that!

appleguy123

Jun 14, 2011, 02:45 PM

I find spiders fascinating, and I like web dwelling spiders, but ground spiders(unless they're in a container) scare the hell out of me.

RawBert

Jun 14, 2011, 04:10 PM

I don't have an arachnophobia, but I do hate the $h*t out of them.
What I mean is: If they are in my place, I'll kill them instead of running.

What I FREAKING HATE!!!!!!!! - is when I'm flipping the channels and all of a sudden I see a full screen zoom in of a tarantula or even worse a close up of their face. YYYYYUUUUUUUUCCCCCKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

eawmp1

Jun 14, 2011, 04:13 PM

I find spiders fascinating, and I like web dwelling spiders, but ground spiders(unless they're in a container) scare the hell out of me.

2 year old threads scare me.

ratzzo

Jun 14, 2011, 04:18 PM

Don't be afraid. Just squash them with your foot. Mos spiders are very small anyway, so that's no biggie. What I definitely loathe, dislike, repudiate.. are cockroaches. The things are freakishly big and squashing them makes a crunching noise, it's very disgusting to do so.. eugh.

iJohnHenry

Jun 14, 2011, 04:29 PM

.. but ground spiders(unless they're in a container) scare the hell out of me.

In honour of this resurection, I suggest you Google "Trap-door spider". :p

appleguy123

Jun 14, 2011, 04:41 PM

2 year old threads scare me.

That's crazy! I didn't look at the date because this was on the front page. What could have caused this glitch?

I don't have an arachnophobia, but I do hate the $h*t out of them.
What I mean is: If they are in my place, I'll kill them instead of running.

What I FREAKING HATE!!!!!!!! - is when I'm flipping the channels and all of a sudden I see a full screen zoom in of a tarantula or even worse a close up of their face. YYYYYUUUUUUUUCCCCCKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I normally just catch them and haul them off to the woods.

eawmp1

Jun 14, 2011, 06:21 PM

In honour of this resurection, I suggest you Google "Trap-door spider". :p

Sneaky little buggers.

iBlue

Jun 15, 2011, 09:18 AM

I don't like the creepy little bastards either but I wouldn't call it an outright phobia. I don't think I have any actual phobias.

If you can stand it, I bet this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHzdsFiBbFc) of spiders will make you laugh. (I'm not SpiderRolling you or anything, give it a chance.)

(marc)

Jun 15, 2011, 05:01 PM

Actually, there are quite a lot of myths about spiders (e.g. the "you eat about 4 spiders during your sleep each year" or "tarantulas can jump very far"). This site (http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/spidermyth/index.html) has listed some (disclaimer: the website has a (harmless, I'd say) drawing of a spider in it :))