Scared of spiders

[Hilary B]

I like spiders, but for those who find them scary, well you need an answer, but remember, the experts reckon that wherever you are RIGHT NOW there is probably a spider within 10 ft of you (unless where you are is somewhere like a sterile hospital ward).
Chooks, frogs, garden birdies and a few other insect-eaters will happily eat spiders as well.

[Mikey]

but remember, the experts reckon that wherever you are RIGHT NOW there is probably a spider within 10 ft of you

Does that mean they are stood a few feet behind the rats, clever.

[Florian]

Like @ecoprincess and @dirtgirl I am scared of spiders, although happily far less bothered by them when outside (because I can get away from them) and can tolerate them if they are small ish indoors too (ie less than an inch or so)

I am a very logical person and realise my fear is irrational but that doesn't help when faced with one. Oddly, I am not bothered by other bugs, insects, animals, snakes etc.

@Hilary_B @MikeyWills I don't mind them being 10 feet away from me, playing with the rats so long as I don't have to see them !!

Thanks @HotStuff for that course. Looks awesome and may be just what I need

On a related note, I can't tell you how much easier this has made me domestic life:

Spider Catcher - Lakeland, the home of creative kitchenware

[janeyo]

I have just come back from a hypnosis session to cure my spider phobia (at the third time of trying (had hypnotherapy and exposure therapy before). I have just accidentally looked at a picture and nearly jumped out of my skin - so not quite cured yet then! I am back again next week.....

i have been known to hoover my greenhouse to get rid of all the egg sacks.....

[Florian]

I have just come back from a hypnosis session to cure my spider phobia (at the third time of trying (had hypnotherapy and exposure therapy before). I have just accidentally looked at a picture and nearly jumped out of my skin - so not quite cured yet then! I am back again next week.....

i have been known to hoover my greenhouse to get rid of all the egg sacks.....

Oh dear! How many sessions are you due to have ?

[janeyo]

well she did say normally only one for a phobia!

[Comfreyfan]

The problem with an irrational fear is that it's irrational! It doesn't matter how many times I tell myself that they can't hurt, they're more scared of me than I am of them, that they're helpful and necessary, when I see one creeping across the floor, I'm off! I am improving with age and I have, with support, even held a tarantula. But, much to my annoyance, I'm still scared of them and if one makes a sudden appearance it can unsettle me for days. Ridiculous!

[ecoprincess]

On a related note, I can't tell you how much easier this has made me domestic life:

Spider Catcher - Lakeland, the home of creative kitchenware

I wouldn't even be able to use that, I would get really freaked out when the spider was sucked up towards me!!

But, much to my annoyance, I'm still scared of them and if one makes a sudden appearance it can unsettle me for days. Ridiculous!

I'm the same, I haven't been able to go back outside into the garden and I'm really annoyed with myself because it's been perfect garden weather the past two days! I have to admire you for being able to hold a tarantula though!!!

(had hypnotherapy and exposure therapy before).

Exposure therapy?? What did they do to you in that??

[Potstubsdustbins]

SWMBO normally a lovely placid lady turns into a raging mad woman when she sees a spider. If I don't get ot them first and take them outside they are surely dead.

Colin

[valmarg]

If you want to live and thrive, let a spider run alive.

They eat flies, they cannot do you any harm. They are lovely. Let them be.

valmarg

[di]

If you want to live and thrive, let a spider run alive.

They eat flies, they cannot do you any harm. They are lovely. Let them be.

valmarg

I totally agree....BUT...a phobia is just that!
Thankfully,spiders don't bother me but every Summer my days at the lottie(and supposedly fun days out with the kiddies) are totally wrecked by my fear of wasps.I try my hardest to take inspiration and reassurance from people that don't let them bother them,but as soon as one dares fly within three feet of me I have to run!(that in itself is actually a huge improvement from a few years ago)
Keep us updated Eco with anything that helps,I'd seriously love to overcome my fear....I think the biggest thing that will enable any therapy to work is wanting for it to work...sometimes I think people can become dependant on their fears/phobias and in a perverse way enjoy them...only when someone really wants to rid themselves of the fear can anything help.

P.S...in the meantime I really think your OH needs to pull his finger out and get rid of the out buildings that are providing perfect nesting places for them

xxx

[garlicgirl06]

what makes me laugh about being scared of spiders is.....

people who are more scared
serious i am scared stupid by them and getting sympathy from people who aren't scared doesn't happen because they all tend to be very rational about it - hence the not scared....
However i think humour will do as a temporay cure. My brother is 6 foot 2 and is a black belt 2nd dan in kung fu but he screams louder than me and runs faster if there is a spider in the room and i can't help finding that hilarious. This is the same guy who fought for 5 rounds with a broken arm!
We come from a family with a long history of spider fear,my gran, my dad, my siblings so i long ago stopped looking for reasons why and cures. I'll scream when i see one and shout if the person next to me doesn't despatch it fast enough even if they're also scared but bottom line is i'm still here the next day and the next unlike the spider. I'm petrified when i see one but the rest of the time i'm cured!

[Florian]

well she did say normally only one for a phobia!

Yikes! Good luck, next week!

[Florian]

I wouldn't even be able to use that, I would get really freaked out when the spider was sucked up towards me!!



I'm the same, I haven't been able to go back outside into the garden and I'm really annoyed with myself because it's been perfect garden weather the past two days! I have to admire you for being able to hold a tarantula though!!!



Exposure therapy?? What did they do to you in that??

It takes practise but worth it - they only go about an inch into the tube the rest is just to allow you to stand well back

[Florian]

I'm petrified when i see one but the rest of the time i'm cured!

Love it