Arachnophobia is an excessive and irrational fear of spiders. Arachnophobia It is one of the most common types of phobias. Usually, sufferers arachnophobia afraid of spiders because of their shape and the way they walk.
people with arachnophobia may experience fear, panic, and anxiety when seeing spiders in person, seeing spiders in pictures and movies, or even just imagining them. However, with proper treatment, this phobia can of course be cured.
Symptom Arachnophobia
In addition to experiencing excessive fear, panic, and anxiety, sufferers arachnophobia will generally experience physical symptoms, such as:
- Dizzy
- Stomach ache
- Nauseous
- Sweating
- Shaky
- Hard to breathe
- Heart beating fast
In addition, sufferers arachnophobia may also adopt certain habits to overcome his fear of spiders, such as avoiding places or situations where he might see spiders, to isolating himself.
Reason Arachnophobia
Arachnophobia classified into specific phobias, namely the phobia of a particular object, animal, activity, or situation
- traumatic event
- Have close family and relatives who also have a phobia of spiders
- Knowing negative stories or information about spiders, for example having heard of other people's scary experiences with spiders
Handling Arachnophobia
To diagnose someone suffering arachnophobia, The psychologist or psychiatrist will review several things first, such as the symptoms experienced, how long the symptoms have lasted, and how the impact of these symptoms on the sufferer's life.
If a psychologist or psychiatrist diagnoses you with arachnophobia, Like other specific phobias, this condition can be treated by:
1. Desensitization therapy
Desensitization therapy, also known as exposure therapy, is one of the most effective therapies for treating phobias. In the case of arachnophobia, this therapy is done to help you gradually face your fear of spiders.
For example, initially you will be asked to think of or look at a picture of a spider. As you get used to it, you will be asked to look directly at the spider, and so on until your phobia is completely cured.
2. Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is therapy used to stop negative thoughts about feared objects or situations, such as spiders. This therapy is done by changing the way you see spiders, so you no longer think of them as something dangerous or scary.
3. Medicines
Generally, the two therapies above are sufficient to treat arachnophobia. However, in some cases, medication may be prescribed to reduce symptoms arachnophobia.
Some medications that a psychiatrist or psychologist can prescribe to treat: arachnophobia are antidepressants, sedatives, and beta-blocking drugs.
If you experience symptoms arachnophobia as above, especially if it affects your daily life, you should consult a psychologist or psychiatrist. That way, you can get the right treatment.
