How serious can arachnophobia be?

Arachnophobia, otherwise known as spider phobia, is the intense fear of spiders and other arachnids. Classified as a specific phobia, arachnophobia causes clinically significant distress that can impact an individual’s quality of life.

What is the most debilitating phobia?

Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder) Social phobia involves the fear of social situations and can be quite debilitating. In many cases, these phobias can become so severe that people avoid events, places, and people who are likely to trigger an anxiety attack.

Why do I have severe arachnophobia?

Several theories may explain why someone can develop arachnophobia. This includes evolutionary threat responses, social depictions of spiders, and past trauma. If a person wishes to treat their arachnophobia, a doctor can suggest exposure therapy, CBT, or counseling.

Can phobias be debilitating?

A phobia is an overwhelming and debilitating fear of an object, place, situation, feeling or animal. Phobias are more pronounced than fears. They develop when a person has an exaggerated or unrealistic sense of danger about a situation or object.

How do you cure Arachnophobia?

Medical treatment. This includes the use of medications that can assist in the reduction of anxiety.

Psychotherapy. This is a common treatment for phobias which is usually done along with medical treatment.

Homeopathic treatment.

How do you get over Arachnophobia?

Exposure therapy. Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing a person to their phobia.

Hypnotherapy. Some anecdotal evidence suggests that hypnotism could help people overcome their arachnophobia.

Cognitive behavioral therapy. In cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT),a therapist will work with the person to help them overcome their phobic thoughts.

Why is arachnophobia so common?

Evolutionary. Evolutionary theory suggests people develop arachnophobia due to an evolved preparedness in dealing with potential threats.

Social theories. Another theory is that people’s fear of spiders is learned.

Past experience. If a person has a previous unpleasant or traumatic experience with a spider,this may cause arachnophobia to develop.

What are symptoms of Arachnophobia?

Unexplainable and constant fear of spiders ( Even the thought of seeing a spider can provoke the person to panic)

Irrelevant alertness associated with spiders.

Avoidance of places where spiders can be commonly found such as caves,museums,forests or old buildings