Fear of spiders

Spiders are afraid of fire, water and people. But people often themselves are afraid of spiders. This phobia was called arachnophobia. Why are some people so afraid of harmless, small spiders, which, in fact, do not cause them any inconvenience?

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Why there is a fear of spiders?

Theoretically, a spider should irritate a person much less than a mosquito or a fly, because it does not buzz, does not fly around the room, does not bite. Spider in the house can even be useful - he catches in his network the most annoying flies and other insects. But many people are disgusted, and some in general are experiencing a panic fear of spiders. The phobia was studied by scientists who deduced theories about the occurrence of this problem.

Theory of hazard

Here the evolutionary development of man is involved. Previously, there were more species of spiders, representing a danger to people's lives, and the man was constantly on watch to have time to react and destroy the creature in the event of its approach. This could provoke the fear of spiders in the modern generation. The phobia, by the way, is more often developed in the female sex. Perhaps because in the old days women always guarded children and shelter, while men were not at home, and they had to constantly watch what was happening around, including not allowing dangerous arachnids.

Theory of surprise

The spider, basically, appears near the person suddenly, and guess where he will run in the next second is not possible. The fact that the movement pattern of this arthropod is unpredictable, rapid, causes people to fear spiders. The phobia simply acts as a defensive reaction, restraining a person from entering potentially dangerous situations.

Theory of difference

According to this theory, the fact that arachnids are strikingly different from humans, causes the occurrence of such a phenomenon as the fear of spiders. The phobia develops from the appearance of the arthropod: a lot of paws, eyes. But there are also creatures that are not even more like a man than a spider, but they are less likely to be the object of fear. Therefore this theory did not receive special propagation.

Behavioral theory

A guide for children is their parents and if one of them considers dangerous and avoids the spider, then most likely the child will also develop a fear of spiders. The child's phobia will become, as it were, a continuation of the adult's fear.

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How to get rid of the fear of spiders?

With arachnophobia you can fight several methods:

1. Viewing images with a picture of a spider. Initially, you can look at the cartoon spiders, then go to the photos of these. Watching video clips with the culprit of fear can also help overcome the fear of spiders. The phobia at the same time can manifest itself in the form of rapid heartbeat, sweating, trouble breathing, but it is important to withstand the fear.
2. Contact man with spiders in special computer programs and games where it is necessary to exterminate arachnid creatures.
3. Direct contact with the cause of fear. It is considered the most effective method of struggle. And the more insects are, the better. It is not necessary that he was in the open space, and fit in the terrarium. The main thing is to get used to the intimacy with the spider. When you can look at him calmly, you can try and touch. After such therapy, fear, if it does not dissipate completely, then, at least, will not be so strong.

People experiencing arachnophobia have uncontrolled reactions that can lead to awkward situations in life when they meet a phobic object. Therefore, we must try to overcome the fear of spiders. The phobia is subject to control, the main thing is to be able to cope with oneself.