Anyone had a spider phobia cured?
Discussion
Straight to the point, I'm scared of nothing in life, apart from f
king spiders. Yesterday one of the classic English giant house spiders suddenly appeared next to me on the sofa and as usual in that sort of situation, I screamed like an absolute pussy and wanted to die. I need to get this sorted before my 3 year old inherits this fear, likeI did from my mother.
Anyone had this 'issue' fixed? I know London zoo offer some sort of 'course' or whatever it's called, but it's fully booked this year.
king spiders. Yesterday one of the classic English giant house spiders suddenly appeared next to me on the sofa and as usual in that sort of situation, I screamed like an absolute pussy and wanted to die. I need to get this sorted before my 3 year old inherits this fear, likeI did from my mother. Anyone had this 'issue' fixed? I know London zoo offer some sort of 'course' or whatever it's called, but it's fully booked this year.
Repeated exposure did it for me. Living in an old house full of the buggers left me with no choice. I still get the odd fright, but it's not like when I was younger and literally could not be in the same room as one. Start with the small ones, pick them up, as you get braver/more comfortable go for the slightly larger ones. I'm still not a fan of them, but they don't make my blood run cold anymore. Like you, having kids kind of forced me to MTFU.
WH16 said:
Repeated exposure did it for me. Living in an old house full of the buggers left me with no choice. I still get the odd fright, but it's not like when I was younger and literally could not be in the same room as one. Start with the small ones, pick them up, as you get braver/more comfortable go for the slightly larger ones. I'm still not a fan of them, but they don't make my blood run cold anymore. Like you, having kids kind of forced me to MTFU.
I don't think a spider small enough exists for me to just start picking them up I don't know if this will help as it's only my experience and I don't have a phobia of spiders. I wouldn't even say I dislike them as I know they do a lot of good. I just don't like them in my bedroom when I'm trying to sleep so I will get rid of them. To do that I just get a pint glass then slide a coaster or bit of paper underneath and put them outside.
My daughter is wary of them and can get upset if they are in her room so we started to look at them when we got them in a glass. Look at their legs, markings etc. and then using my phone we would do a search to try and find out what species of spider it is. It seemed to calm her down and she actually became interested in them instead of being scared. Give it a go if you can, they are fascinating creatures.
My daughter is wary of them and can get upset if they are in her room so we started to look at them when we got them in a glass. Look at their legs, markings etc. and then using my phone we would do a search to try and find out what species of spider it is. It seemed to calm her down and she actually became interested in them instead of being scared. Give it a go if you can, they are fascinating creatures.
Think repeated exposure is the way to go unless you want to get some behavior therapy booked in.
It might sound daft but get some furry black pipe cleaners that kids use in school.
Fashion a spider out of it then just keep it next to you in your eyeline.
You'll soon get used to it hopefully to the point where it won't bother you and then it can be translated to the real thing.
It might sound daft but get some furry black pipe cleaners that kids use in school.
Fashion a spider out of it then just keep it next to you in your eyeline.
You'll soon get used to it hopefully to the point where it won't bother you and then it can be translated to the real thing.
I used to be like that and would kill them instantly. Then I got older and realised it wasn't their fault I was freaked out by them and they didn't deserve to die for that.
So then I started making the effort to catch and release and although they still freak you out when they surprise you, you do get a lot more used to being near them.
So then I started making the effort to catch and release and although they still freak you out when they surprise you, you do get a lot more used to being near them.
I kill every one I find inside my house. Thankfully, I live in a newish and well sealed/insulated house, so I don't get too many in the house. But the other night I saw one of those huge ones which scurries along and hides behind things. I couldn't rest until I found it and killed it.
I'm not particularly scared of them, but I just hate them with a passion.
My hatred increased the other day when I was standing on a railway station platform and felt a scratch on my neck. Wiped my neck with my hand and a massive green and black spider flew off onto the ground. It had bit me. Stamped on it immediately. My neck tingled and felt funny for hours afterwards.
They are just horrible little things which will bite you if they get the change. Kill them all.
I'm not particularly scared of them, but I just hate them with a passion.
My hatred increased the other day when I was standing on a railway station platform and felt a scratch on my neck. Wiped my neck with my hand and a massive green and black spider flew off onto the ground. It had bit me. Stamped on it immediately. My neck tingled and felt funny for hours afterwards.
They are just horrible little things which will bite you if they get the change. Kill them all.
Mont Blanc said:
I kill every one I find inside my house. Thankfully, I live in a newish and well sealed/insulated house, so I don't get too many in the house. But the other night I saw one of those huge ones which scurries along and hides behind things. I couldn't rest until I found it and killed it.
I'm not particularly scared of them, but I just hate them with a passion.
My hatred increased the other day when I was standing on a railway station platform and felt a scratch on my neck. Wiped my neck with my hand and a massive green and black spider flew off onto the ground. It had bit me. Stamped on it immediately. My neck tingled and felt funny for hours afterwards.
They are just horrible little things which will bite you if they get the change. Kill them all.
Did you try climbing the nearest wall?I'm not particularly scared of them, but I just hate them with a passion.
My hatred increased the other day when I was standing on a railway station platform and felt a scratch on my neck. Wiped my neck with my hand and a massive green and black spider flew off onto the ground. It had bit me. Stamped on it immediately. My neck tingled and felt funny for hours afterwards.
They are just horrible little things which will bite you if they get the change. Kill them all.
Study them!
During Covid, I got properly into macro photography and spent ages in the garden getting up close and personal to all manner of little critters including many spiders. When observed at very close quarters, they're fascinating creatures - and some are actually quite cute. You also quickly come to realise they really couldn't give a monkeys about you. They're only interested in the flies.
I wouldn't say I had a phobia against spiders prior but they certainly gave me the willies a bit. Now, I'm happy to scoop them up and place them outside rather than the glass and card-type transit option.
During Covid, I got properly into macro photography and spent ages in the garden getting up close and personal to all manner of little critters including many spiders. When observed at very close quarters, they're fascinating creatures - and some are actually quite cute. You also quickly come to realise they really couldn't give a monkeys about you. They're only interested in the flies.
I wouldn't say I had a phobia against spiders prior but they certainly gave me the willies a bit. Now, I'm happy to scoop them up and place them outside rather than the glass and card-type transit option.
Used to hate them, especially the big ones, but there are so many in my old house that you get used to it. If I turn the lights when I enter a room and one is staring at me, I'll probably say, "Evening!" and get on with whatever I wanted to do in that room. If it's in the way, I might kick it to one side or under the sofa or whatever.
Anyway, try hypnotherapy or EFT.
Oh, and yes, you're correct - you got it from your mum and can instill that behaviour in your children.
Anyway, try hypnotherapy or EFT.
Oh, and yes, you're correct - you got it from your mum and can instill that behaviour in your children.
My wife and kids go ballistic, so I'm the designated spider catcher.
I make an effort to stay calm, catch them in a glass with a piece of paper/card underneath and release them.
I don't like them, but also I don't care about them, but having said that if I spot one it'll always get evicted, I couldn't sleep if I knew there was one lurking in the bedroom.
Definitely make the effort to catch them rather than fleeing and not knowing where they've gone.
My wife had hypnosis to stop smoking and fear of flying, never worked, but years later she can do both now quite easily.
I make an effort to stay calm, catch them in a glass with a piece of paper/card underneath and release them.
I don't like them, but also I don't care about them, but having said that if I spot one it'll always get evicted, I couldn't sleep if I knew there was one lurking in the bedroom.
Definitely make the effort to catch them rather than fleeing and not knowing where they've gone.
My wife had hypnosis to stop smoking and fear of flying, never worked, but years later she can do both now quite easily.
UTH said:
Straight to the point, I'm scared of nothing in life, apart from fking spiders. Yesterday one of the classic English giant house spiders suddenly appeared next to me on the sofa and as usual in that sort of situation, I screamed like an absolute pussy and wanted to die. I need to get this sorted before my 3 year old inherits this fear, likeI did from my mother.
Anyone had this 'issue' fixed? I know London zoo offer some sort of 'course' or whatever it's called, but it's fully booked this year.
There was a TV series about this place in Amsterdam:king spiders. Yesterday one of the classic English giant house spiders suddenly appeared next to me on the sofa and as usual in that sort of situation, I screamed like an absolute pussy and wanted to die. I need to get this sorted before my 3 year old inherits this fear, likeI did from my mother. Anyone had this 'issue' fixed? I know London zoo offer some sort of 'course' or whatever it's called, but it's fully booked this year.
https://kindtclinics.com/en/
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-fear-clini...
They seemed to get good results, but maybe they only showed the successful cases. Good excuse for a short break in Amsterdam though.
simon_harris said:
Mont Blanc said:
I kill every one I find inside my house. Thankfully, I live in a newish and well sealed/insulated house, so I don't get too many in the house. But the other night I saw one of those huge ones which scurries along and hides behind things. I couldn't rest until I found it and killed it.
I'm not particularly scared of them, but I just hate them with a passion.
My hatred increased the other day when I was standing on a railway station platform and felt a scratch on my neck. Wiped my neck with my hand and a massive green and black spider flew off onto the ground. It had bit me. Stamped on it immediately. My neck tingled and felt funny for hours afterwards.
They are just horrible little things which will bite you if they get the change. Kill them all.
Did you try climbing the nearest wall?I'm not particularly scared of them, but I just hate them with a passion.
My hatred increased the other day when I was standing on a railway station platform and felt a scratch on my neck. Wiped my neck with my hand and a massive green and black spider flew off onto the ground. It had bit me. Stamped on it immediately. My neck tingled and felt funny for hours afterwards.
They are just horrible little things which will bite you if they get the change. Kill them all.
I used to hate spiders and I think if I woke up with one crawling across my face or on my pillow I would still freak out; in fact a couple of months ago pulled back my duvet to get into bed and one was just chilling there like he owned the place. But elsewhere in the house I'm ok with them now, as they keep the bug population under control, especially in the autumn evenings with the windows ajar and the lights on.
I'm more freaked out by those giant moths nowadays tbh
I'm more freaked out by those giant moths nowadays tbh
UTH said:
WH16 said:
Repeated exposure did it for me. Living in an old house full of the buggers left me with no choice. I still get the odd fright, but it's not like when I was younger and literally could not be in the same room as one. Start with the small ones, pick them up, as you get braver/more comfortable go for the slightly larger ones. I'm still not a fan of them, but they don't make my blood run cold anymore. Like you, having kids kind of forced me to MTFU.
I don't think a spider small enough exists for me to just start picking them up Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff