The term arachnophobia refers to an anxiety disorder in which the sufferer suffers from a fear of spiders. This form of phobia is quite widespread, especially in Europe, and can have different causes as triggers. While mild forms of arachnophobia do not require therapy, severe arachnophobias can significantly affect the quality of life of those affected.
What is arachnophobia?
Experts understand arachnophobia to be a pathological anxiety disorder, or more precisely, a pathological fear of spiders. In Europe, this anxiety disorder is one of the most common, although, paradoxically, there are no poisonous spider species in Europe that could be dangerous to humans. In contrast, such a specific fear of spiders is usually unknown among primitive peoples. Arachnophobia, like most anxiety disorders, manifests itself with exaggeratedly violent reactions to the sight or sometimes just the thought of a spider. The exact causes for such a strong fear of spiders have not yet been clarified, but numerous different theories exist. Arachnophobia does not always require therapeutic treatment.
Causes
According to experts, arachnophobia can have various possible causes. To a large extent, it is nowadays assumed that early childhood negative experiences with a spider can lead to a later anxiety disorder. This can also be a pre-existing arachnophobia by parents or other caregivers. Other theories state that the reason for arachnophobia is a natural fear of all life forms that are most dissimilar to humans. This would be supported, for example, by the way spiders move. Again other theories lead back the Arachnophobie to the fact that arachnids can represent actually a danger for humans and/or already in the course of the evolution could. A well-founded fear of the same could therefore be genetically pre-programmed according to these assumptions.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
The most obvious symptom of arachnophobia is an overly pronounced fear of spiders. However, the nature and extent of the symptoms are particularly dependent on the intensity of the phobia. While some sufferers primarily suffer from exaggerated feelings of fear and react with flight at the sight of a spider or spider-like animals, other patients also experience physical reactions. These may include sweating, trembling, hyperventilation, dizziness or palpitations. Many sufferers also complain of severe nausea, rigors of anxiety, or even shortness of breath. Often, arachnophobia is so severe that the mere thought of a spider triggers symptoms. The same applies to photos and depictions of spiders on television as well as plastic spiders. If the spider is sitting above a door, many phobics are unable to pass through the door. Sometimes the phobia can even take on such severe proportions that it leads to isolation from the outside world or results in compulsive actions. For example, many sufferers avoid going into the basement, check all corners of the room several times a day, or succumb to a compulsion to clean. In its extreme form, arachnophobia dominates the entire daily life of those affected. Consequential diseases such as panic disorders or depression are also possible in this case.
Diagnosis and course
Arachnophobia can usually be diagnosed very easily, because in most cases the affected person can give exact information about what causes the typical feelings of fear in him. More important than the actual diagnosis in the case of arachnophobia is therefore the determination of how pronounced the anxiety disorder is and whether it requires therapeutic treatment. Like most phobias, arachnophobia manifests itself through typical symptoms that occur in severe anxiety and stressful situations. Exactly which symptoms occur and how severe they are depends on the individual case. Under certain circumstances, the anxiety disorder can increase to such an extent that the affected person already shows strong reactions at the thought of a spider. At worst, daily life can be negatively affected by arachnophobia.
Complications
If left untreated, the pathological fear of arachnids leads to complications that initially affect the patient’s social life.While a simple case may just not be able to be in the same room with spiders, a severe affected patient may already be avoiding going into the basement, the outdoors, or in the worst case, any way out of the house. As with all sufferers of an anxiety disorder, it is important to address these avoidance strategies early on. From the time the patient becomes dominated by their fear, often reaching an unfounded level of fear, they forfeit quality of life. To prevent arachnophobics from removing themselves from social life, possibly losing their job as a result, and developing depression, it is important that a therapist or psychiatrist specializing in generalized anxiety disorder provide treatment. Therapists achieve the greatest success in the case of arachnophobia with cognitive behavioral therapy. The goal of this method is to rethink attitudes and discard habits of thought and maladaptive behaviors, such as fears, compulsive thoughts or actions, drive disorders, or depressive disorders. In an extended form of behavior therapy, therapeutic confrontation with the anxiety-provoking situations or objects is also conceivable. This is used, for example, in patients with claustrophobia or other social phobias.
When should one go to the doctor?
Fear of spiders is generally considered to be very common. In mild form with disgust and slight discomfort, it does not yet constitute a reason to see a doctor. However, if it shows signs of a manifested phobia with pronounced panic attacks and physical overreactions, a visit to a psychotherapist is necessary. The same applies to consciously induced restrictions and behavioral problems to avoid contact with spiders. Since an anxiety disorder can lead to massive mood swings, shocks and circulatory problems, treatment with the help of a specialist is essential. Similar effects can also be seen in the long term in professional life. Restricted performance is the consequence, which also occurs in the private sphere. Intense anxiety and nightmares impair sleep. It becomes increasingly difficult for those affected to cope with everyday life. Increasing social isolation is also a serious warning sign. Excessive efforts to shield oneself from anxiety make the urgency of professional treatment clear. This includes something as permanent sealing of door gaps, windows and other potential access points for spiders. In severe cases, attempts at protection culminate in a refusal to leave familiar and controllable surroundings. However, even in the absence of intense expression of fear, prospective therapy may be useful. Patients generally respond with relief when overcoming their phobia of spiders, gaining new confidence and gaining a stronger sense of self.
Treatment and therapy
If the arachnophobia is so severe that the affected person feels restricted by it or otherwise suffers from it, it may be useful to carry out therapy. This is a so-called behavioral therapy. In this, the treating therapist will try step by step to confront the patient with spiders as part of an included confrontation therapy. Initially, this may involve talking about spiders or looking at a photo or video. Later, the individual is encouraged to look at and eventually touch a real spider. The therapist’s goal in this type of therapy is for the patient to overcome their fear, but this means facing it and living through it. Whether the treatment is successful therefore also depends to a large extent on the will and cooperation of the patient himself. Premature discontinuation of therapy may, under certain circumstances, result in an aggravation of arachnophobia.
Outlook and prognosis
A mild to moderate fear of spiders does not require therapy because it does not severely restrict the individual’s lifestyle. It also will not resolve spontaneously. There are no known late effects of a weak arachnophobia. However, a strong fear of spiders can lead to extreme situations, for example, when the affected person has a panic attack. In the car or in other dangerous situations, these can lead to accidents. Even with strong phobias, it will not spontaneously recede.Therapy, on the other hand, has a good to very good chance of success. The focus here is on confrontation therapy. However, it is absolutely necessary to get through the confrontation with the spider. Failure to do so may exacerbate rather than combat arachnophobia. If the therapy is successful, the phobia occasionally turns into affection towards the spiders: Sometimes spiders are kept as pets by former phobics, but at least they are recognized and accepted as beneficial insects. There are several newer approaches to therapy – including the use of virtual reality technology – that also have good prospects for success.
Prevention
Since the causes of arachnophobia are not yet clearly understood, prevention in the true sense is not possible. Parents can, however, exemplify and instill in their children a healthy and not overly fearful approach to spiders and other animals, and in this way influence the possible development of arachnophobia. If there is already a fear of spiders, which manifests itself through violent symptoms, it may be useful to see a therapist and undergo treatment.
Aftercare
Arachnophobia is considered to be highly treatable. This often makes follow-up care unnecessary. However, many therapists advise follow-up sessions because there is some risk of recurrence. The risk of recurrence is high in the following cases: the condition was particularly severe and limiting. Residual symptoms are sometimes present after treatment is completed. In addition to the arachnophobia, there are other anxiety disorders or other mental disorders. In such cases, follow-up is recommended. Usually, a single follow-up session is sufficient. The therapist talks to the patient about his experiences since the end of therapy. He checks whether the phobic person has achieved his goals and can show success in dealing with spiders. If necessary, he prescribes further sessions for stabilization, in consultation with the patient. The patient must come to terms with his spider fear in his own environment. If this was not done during therapy, it can be done during follow-up treatment. Secondary prevention requires repeated exposure: the phobic person should consciously look at and touch spiders to avoid a relapse. To prevent renewed anxiety symptoms, learning or deepening a relaxation technique is indicated. Courses on the following methods are suitable for this purpose: Breathing techniques, autogenic training, progressive muscle relaxation, imaginative methods, yoga, Qi Gong, meditation.
What you can do yourself
Arachnophobics do not necessarily need to treat their arachnophobia. To avoid panic attacks, it is usually enough to avoid contact with spiders. If this is not possible or if the arachnophobia is to be overcome, systematic desensitization can help. Thus, regular contact with spiders or practicing with plastic spiders can help in overcoming the fears. In the case of a pronounced arachnophobia, appropriate exercises should be carried out together with friends or under the supervision of a therapeutic counselor. Alternatively, therapy measures from naturopathy are available. Tapping acupressure, in which the energy flow in the body is regulated by tapping on acupuncture points, or palm therapy, in which certain points on the palm lines are pressed, have proven to be effective. If, despite these measures, a panic attack occurs, the first thing to do is to stay calm and take a deep breath. The psychological stress can then be reduced, for example, through physical exercise, appropriate home and natural remedies (e.g. arnica, ginseng, green tea, chocolate) and working through what has happened. In the long term, arachnophobics should seek consultation with a psychologist and address the spider phobia with professional help.
