Are you also very afraid of spiders? Let's talk about Arachnophobia!

Imagine you are cleaning your house. Suddenly you see a spider with a web in the corner of the room. For some people, it is not a big deal, they take a broom and sweep it away. But do you suddenly feel short of breath, your chest is pounding, you sweat and your body is cold? Do you feel like running away from there? Then you have more than just a fear of spiders. We call this condition a 'phobia'. Today we are talking about this extreme fear of spiders, that is, Arachnophobia.

Are 'fear' and 'phobia' two different things?

Yes, there is a big difference between the two. Fear is normal. We all try to avoid things that make us uncomfortable. But a phobia is an extremely intense and irrational fear of something or a situation. Simply put, your fear is hundreds of thousands of times greater than the actual harm that the thing you are afraid of can cause.

A phobia is a health problem that occurs when a fear of spiders prevents you from doing your daily activities. It can interfere with your work, affect your relationships with family and friends, and lower your self-confidence. For example, you may avoid going on family outings, walking in the woods, or playing outside because you're afraid of spiders.

How is an arachnophobia 'triggered'?

There are several things that can cause this overwhelming fear to suddenly appear. Let's see what they are.

How does this fear feel? What are the symptoms?

For someone with arachnophobia, the symptoms they experience when they see or think about spiders are very similar to those experienced during anxiety or panic attacks. We can divide these symptoms into two main categories.

Why do some people have such extreme fear?

Although it is not possible to say exactly why this is the case, there are several things that researchers believe.

• A traumatic experience in the past: You may have been very scared by a spider as a child, or you may have encountered a frightening incident involving a spider.
• Learning from your parents: You may have inherited your fear of spiders from your mother or father. What we see as children can have a profound effect on our minds.
• Family history: If someone in your family has anxiety disorders, you are more likely to develop this type of phobia.
• Brain function: Scientifically speaking, it is believed that this is due to the overstimulation of the amygdala , a part of our brain, when faced with fear.

How does a doctor decide that this is a phobia?

If you have Arachnophobia, you know that you are afraid of spiders. And you also know that this fear is interfering with your life. When you go to see a doctor, he will try to determine whether this is a normal fear or a phobia. A phobia can significantly affect your daily life.

Doctor, you may be asked the following questions:

• How strong is your fear?
• How long has this fear been present? (If it's been more than 6 months, you should be concerned.)
• How has this fear affected your daily life?
• Does this fear arise as soon as you see a spider?
• Do you think your fear is actually greater than the potential harm from the spider?

Considering all this, if this condition is a major stressor and disruption to your life, he concludes that it is Arachnophobia.

What are the treatments for this condition?

The good news is that Arachnophobia is a very treatable condition . There are two main treatment methods used for this. These are psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This helps you change the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that cause your fear. The therapist will talk to you, identify irrational thoughts about spiders, challenge them, and teach you to think more realistically. They will also teach you ways to calm your mind and body when you feel scared.

2. Exposure Therapy: This is arguably the most effective treatment for phobias. It involves gradually exposing yourself to spiders under the supervision of a therapist in a safe and controlled environment.

• First, you are told to think about spiders.
• Next, I'll show you a picture of a spider.
• Then maybe they'll show you a video.
• Eventually, when you can control your fear, you can even show them a spider in a bottle from a distance.

As you gradually practice facing your fear in this way, your brain learns that spiders are not as scary as you think.

Do you use medications?

There is usually no medication to 'cure' a phobia. However, your doctor may prescribe some medications for a short period of time to help control the excessive anxiety and panic caused by your fear of spiders. These are usually given in conjunction with psychotherapy. Medications in the classes ``Benzodiazepines'' and ``SSRIs'' may be used for this.

Important: These medications should only be taken on the advice of your doctor.

Should I see a doctor?

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms due to your fear of spiders, it is very important to see a doctor for advice.

• Are you having difficulty doing your daily tasks (work, household chores)?
• Have you been unable to travel with family or friends or attend an event ?
• Are thoughts about spiders always running through your head ?
• Are you unable to sleep at night because of this fear?

If your answer to these questions is "yes," don't wait any longer. This is not your fault. This is a condition that can be best managed with treatment.